Move to Grand Junction, CO – contact Paul Aspelin with The Christi Reece Group

Retire in Grand Junction – your grandkids and kids will thank you!

What is there to do in Grand Junction Colorado?

A retired couple contacted me from Arizona. They wanted to know “What is there to do in Grand Junction Colorado?” They retired to Scottsdale many years earlier. Their children and grandchildren visited them when they first moved there, then the visits waned. They added a swimming pool, which worked for a while. As the grandkids got older, a pool and sunshine were no longer enough. The grandkids complained “there’s nothing to do.” They realized it was time to move to a place where everyone wanted to come visit, any time of the year, not just during spring break.

They like wineries. A relative recommended they consider Palisade, Grand Junction or Fruita. And so, their research began. They reached out to me because they found this website!

Keeping and nurturing relationships during retirement is important. I get it. So is the desire to live in a mild climate surrounded by lots of amenities, healthcare, and outdoor activities. While Arizona is a beautiful state, the Scottsdale/Phoenix area is very crowded and extremely hot in the summer. Why not consider an alternate retirement community that has all four seasons and endless opportunities for fun and personal growth? Consider retiring in Grand Junction, Colorado! Or Palisade, Fruita, Clifton, Orchard Mesa, or other communities within Mesa County. Collectively known as the Grand Valley. Read my post about the weather.

I helped a retired Minnesota client sell her townhome in Minnesota and she moved to Arizona. She didn’t last long. Too hot, not enough to do. After a visit here, she wondered, “Is Grand Junction a good place to live?” She now lives on a hobby farm in Fruita! Her adult daughter moved here too, and her son and his wife come to visit a couple times a year.

Retire in Grand Junction

Paul Aspelin on the Riverfront Trail along the Colorado River

Why retire in the Grand Valley? We have access to downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, golf, tennis, and pickle ball. We have incredible hiking trails, extensive gravel/mountain/road biking opportunities, river boating and rafting, fishing, hunting, ATV trails and camping. Lots of parks and walking trails, including a zipline over the Colorado River! We are known for our fruit orchards, wineries, distilleries, and breweries. And all this is “in town.” Check out my Two-Day Itinerary post.

There are so many easy day trips from Grand Junction to incredible eye candy, hot springs, arches, canyons, lakes, mountains, resorts, public lands, and of course, Dinosaurs! So many things to do together with family and friends as you age. If you want to retire to a community where your family and friends want to visit you year-round, then the Grand Valley is your answer! Grand Junction is a basecamp with access to so much more!

More Than Just Outdoor Activities

Not only is this a beautiful and bountiful area naturally, with a fantastic climate and no humidity, there are other benefits that make Grand Junction and the surrounding communities a great place to retire to. In my opinion, here are just a few:

Low cost of living (and visiting) area
Easy access thanks to Grand Junction airport and connections via Denver and other cities
Warm weather activities
Winter weather activities
Close to diverse terrain like high desert, mountains, rivers, and lakes
Colorado Mesa University classes for 65+ and you can entice the grandkids to enroll
Many things to do right in Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade
Check out my day trips from Grand Junction post for ideas on what’s nearby that your kids and grandchildren will enjoy
Colorado is more centralized in the US compared to the SE like Florida – allowing you to reach so much more that’s only a day’s drive away

Grand Junction Living and Hosting Visitors

Snowshoeing on the Grand Mesa

Find a retirement home that’s convenient and easy to get to and your friends and family will want to come to visit you all year round!

It’s how they perceive the location that determines if they come visit. Grand Junction always has something going on for all ages and abilities!

When you purchase a home here, try to get an extra bedroom or two for visitors. It will encourage them to visit if they know they can save money by not needing to pay for a hotel. Having them stay with you gives you more opportunities to connect and share time with them.

We’ve hosted friends and family several times since we moved here. Based on their desires, we never run out of things to do or show them. Some have no interest in hiking, and that’s ok. We help our visitors adjust to the elevation before we go even higher to places like the Grand Mesa, Ouray, or Telluride. Some of our visitors fly right into GJT airport while others choose to fly into Denver and drive up and over the mountains to reach us. If they need one, car rentals are super easy at the Grand Junction airport.

We make sure we give them a list of suggested items to pack or have extras on hand like stainless steel water bottles, hats, sunscreen, and vitamin C (for high elevation days).

As our friends and family come to visit and get to know the area better, we hope someday they too might choose to move to Grand Junction like we did!

Consider starting new traditions in your new location. Invite everyone to come to you for a holiday spent at a mountain resort or discovering our nearby national parks! Make new memories. The opportunities are truly endless in Mesa County and beyond!

If you are considering a move and would like a tour of the Grand Valley, give me a call. I have several articles on this website about retiring in Grand Junction and things to do in the area. Look around the site and consider me your Grand Junction retirement real estate expert!

Move to Grand Junction, we’re waiting for you!

Text/Call me at 612-306-9558

Contact me directly regarding non-MLS listings.

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE
Licensed in Colorado

Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Learn more about my real estate experience and how I serve my clients

by Paul Aspelin, REALTOR

Fruita, Grand Junction, Local or Nearby Attractions, Palisade, Relocating to Grand Junction

Accolades for the Grand Valley

Accolades for Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade and the Grand Valley region of Mesa County, CO

We are lucky to live where there are many accolades for the Grand Valley, Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade and Mesa County. There are so many articles to choose from that support this, but I narrowed it down to one accolade for each community and some for Mesa County. Here are a few highlights of our amazing community starting with the most recent recognition for Grand Junction, CO.

Charming Grand Junction Downtown

Downtown Grand Junction springtime!

Grand Junction’s fabulous downtown is #8 on the 2024 “10 Best” list of Charming Downtowns from USA Today. Here’s what they had to say:

“These 10 places with charming main streets — nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — offer more than just a road; these streets are living history, have a vibrant culture, and serve as the hearts of their communities.”

We couldn’t agree more! We were very impressed with the wide and wandering sidewalks, beautiful landscape, multitude of sculptures and art as well as lively dining options, boutiques, summer Farmers Market and so much more. Downtown is easily accessible and a true gem in the Grand Valley.

Here’s how USA Today summarized downtown Grand Junction.

“Celebrated for its vibrant, no-franchise downtown, Main Street in Grand Junction, Colorado boasts trendy art galleries, farm-to-fork dining, and fashionable boutiques. As a dynamic community hub, Main Street fosters a sense of engagement, with the historic Avalon Theatre hosting various events and a variety of street festivals and markets taking place year-round. Visitors enjoy the park-like atmosphere and the unique open-air art gallery of bronze sculptures.”

Here’s the link to the full article. https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-main-street-2024/

I wrote a post about Grand Junction being #1 Best City to Move to in Colorado, so check that out too!

Fruita, CO Awarded the Colorado Downtown Excellence Award

Outdoor Dining Plaza in Fruita

Here’s the press release direct from the City of Fruita. What a great award! This plaza space is right near one of our favorite places to dine in Fruita, the Hot Tomato! Here’s the link to their full article with a great aerial photo of the Mulberry Plaza. https://www.fruita.org/citymanager/page/fruita-co-awarded-colorado-downtown-excellence-award

“On April 4, 2024, the City of Fruita was awarded the Colorado Downtown Excellence Award by Downtown Colorado Inc. (DCI) for the Mulberry Plaza and gathering space. This award celebrates excellence in Colorado downtowns and commercial districts, and the City of Fruita is excited to receive this recognition on a state-wide scale. Downtown Colorado Inc. is a non-profit, membership association committed to building better communities by providing assistance to Colorado downtowns, commercial districts, main streets, rural communities, and town centers.”

Palisade Sunday Farmers Market is a Winner

Can’t get enough peach pie – this time with strawberry rhubarb. Peach with cherry is delicious too!

Here’s another “10 Best” award from USA Today. This time it’s for the Best Farmers Market! Although Palisade’s quaint downtown is certainly worthy of praise too.

Palisade Sunday Farmers Market comes in at #7, and deservedly so. We can’t wait for the Farmers Market season in the Grand Valley and the market in Palisade is tops for several reasons! To find the best farmers markets, they asked a panel of experts for nominations. Then, their readers voted for their favorites over four weeks. Here’s what USA Today had to say…

“Palisade Sunday Farmers Market, sponsored by the town, is open from June to October. It features items from local artisans and crafters as well as local produce and wines. Be sure to check out the live music and spend some downtime on a shaded, comfortable bench nearby.”

While this sounds nice and all, it’s a bit too generic. I wonder if they have really been to Palisade Sunday Farmers Market because it’s about so much more than that. Food trucks, fresh coffee, baked goods while you shop. I’ve tasted wine and got a shot of bourbon at 10am. They don’t even mention the famous Palisade Peaches, a weekly purchase for us. You just gotta go in person. Such a lovely downtown to host the Farmers Market. And the local shops, restaurants and galleries are fantastic too!

Mesa County Libraries National Nomination

We love libraries! You can read our posts about Mesa County Libraries and how I got a Little Free Library in Las Colonias in Grand Junction, near the Colorado River and Butterfly Pond.

Libraries do great work, and we are excited about this nomination. We will check back to see if they won! National Medal winners will be announced in late May 2024. Here’s what they posted on the Mesa County Libraries website:

“The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced on March 27, 2024, that Mesa County Libraries is among 30 finalists for the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Mesa County Libraries is the only institution in Colorado to be selected as a finalist for this award. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate significant impact in their communities. For 30 years, the award has honored institutions that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities.”

What an amazing honor to be nominated! We are so proud of our local library system. Here’s the full post on the library’s website: https://mesacountylibraries.org/2024/03/mesa-county-libraries-named-finalist-for-2024-imls-national-medal-for-museum-and-library-service

Best Place to Visit for Adventure

https://www.visitgrandjunction.com/blog/post/the-36-best-places-to-visit-in-the-us-for-adventure

North Fruita Desert Tofel Family

Outside named Grand Junction as one of the “36 Best” places to visit in the US for adventure. Of course, we think it’s #1! The link above takes you to the full article. Here’s a quick summary.

“Grand Junction was honored to be mentioned as the base camp for one of Outside’s 2023 Travel Awards. The Colorado Plateau was awarded the “Public Land Winner” and Grand Junction was highlighted as the top destination for travelers hoping to explore this award-winning area. The Grand Junction area is surrounded by over 1.6 million acres of public land, so it’s no surprise that adventure travelers were encouraged to base their adventure out of Grand Junction.”

Follow the link and learn more about the whole Colorado Plateau area, it’s quite amazing. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful and diverse area. The article even calls out one of our favorites, Camp Eddy, and of course, the Colorado National Monument. A favorite place for adventure right in our backyard! Read our Mountain Biking post too!

Speaking of adventure…the Outdoor Program (OP) at Colorado Mesa University is one of the reasons our daughter chose to attend this fantastic university. They were at the college fair at her high school in Minnesota and we are forever grateful to have discovered this amazing human scale university, as they like to be called. So, I will end with this one amazing accolade for Colorado Mesa University, though there are many things to be proud of when it comes to CMU.

Colorado Mesa University

Zion CMU Outdoor Program Trip

U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges ranks colleges and universities by several different factors and creates many “best of” lists. They have ranked Colorado Mesa University #5 in Top Public Schools and #20 in Regional Colleges West. Their website describes in detail how their rankings are calculated, data sources, eligibility, and the criteria they used.

The article does a great job of highlighting CMU in a way that allows readers to easily compare colleges and universities on things like admissions, cost, academic programs, and campus life. Read More. It’s important to know what the student wants in a college.

CMU is an accredited university that has so much to be proud of. They have amazing academic programs for students of all ages. Their vision: “CMU aspires to be a Human Scale University that serves as a model of the world we want to create —a world where people aspire to love, extend dignity, choose courage, demonstrate humility, develop resiliency, celebrate curiosity, and use power for good.”

Zion Canyoneering CMU Outdoor Program Trip

Their Outdoor Program is outstanding. It’s a way for students to enjoy the weekends and time off outside the classroom. Students can participate in outdoor recreation, take group trips and rent equipment at super low rates. Our daughter climbed her first 14er in the first month of her freshman year! And a memorable group to Zion National Park to learn canyoneering. She has amazing stories and memories.

I encourage you to look at the CMU website first and absorb as much as you can. Then, you have to do a tour in person to fully grasp the welcoming culture at CMU. My daughter got to do an extended “CMU Experience” in 2018 before she decided for sure to attend. Although we knew her mind was made up before she attended this extended tour experience. She just wanted another trip to Colorado! We get it. We fell in love with the area too! That’s why we moved here. Let me give you a quick tour of the campus even if you don’t have students attending college. It’s an amazing asset for the Grand Valley!

Move to Grand Junction. We’ve been waiting for you!

Text/Call 612-306-9558

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE
Serving Mesa County
Licensed in Colorado

Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Learn more about my experience and how I serve my clients

by Paul Aspelin, REALTOR

Grand Junction, Relocating to Grand Junction

Moving to Colorado? GJ Ranked #1 in Survey

Moving to Colorado?

I just love it when the media reconfirms our decision about moving to Colorado. We looked at several small towns in Colorado and Arizona, but just kept coming back to Grand Junction, CO. We discovered the Grand Valley when our daughter wanted to do a college visit to Colorado Mesa University in 2017.

I’ve seen Grand Junction in the media since our initial discovery. It has been making more and more “top lists” and “best of lists”. Below is a link to a USA Today Homefront article titled “Moving to Colorado?” that lists the 5 best cities, according to their 2024 survey. And low and behold, Grand Junction is #1 for best cities to move to in Colorado! Beating out #5 Longmont, #4 Ft. Collins, #3 Littleton and #2 Loveland. Now their criteria were cities with a population of 40,000 or more, so Palisade and Fruita didn’t qualify for this comparison.

(Click photo to enlarge)

The Research

The research team at Homefront ranked 22 cities in Colorado across 16 different quality-of-life metrics. They considered livability factors like activities, walkability and quality of schools. They looked at life expectancy, health care and safety (crime and severe weather). And economic variables like housing affordability and unemployment rates.

They cited that more than 260,000 people moved to Colorado in 2022. And their research shows that Colorado ranked as more affordable than Texas, Florida and California. I can understand California but was surprised about Texas and Florida.

What they say about Grand Junction

Here’s how they start the description of the best city in Colorado: “Grand Junction might just be Colorado’s best-kept secret. This city has incredibly diverse landscapes — mountains, rivers, canyons, deserts and forests — as well as affordable housing.” They went on to say:

“Grand Junction is the second-most affordable place for prospective home buyers and the third-most affordable for renters. Additionally, homeowners here enjoy the lowest annual homeowner’s insurance premium, likely thanks to the area’s tame weather.” Ahh, ok, that’s probably why we rank better than Florida. Their homeowner’s insurance rates keep climbing due to natural disasters. No hurricanes or tropical storms here, thank you!

“While Grand Junction has the second-lowest median income in our study, its lower cost of living balances the scale. It has the third-lowest percentage of rent-burdened residents and typical home values are six times the median income, which places Grand Junction above average compared with other Colorado cities we ranked.”

Yes, I’ve noticed the lower cost of living for sure. Colorado mountain towns are ultra expensive. Nice to visit, but hard to buy a home and work there.

Way to go Grand Junction for being one of the best cities in Colorado! You can read the full article about Grand Junction as well as the other cities in the top 5. Here’s the link to the full article: Moving to Colorado? Here are the 5 best cities, according to our 2024 study. Move to Colorado, we did!

Moving to Colorado!

Text/Call 612-306-9558

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE

Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Learn more about my experience and how I serve my clients

by Paul Aspelin, REALTOR

Fruita, Grand Junction, More to Know, Relocating to Grand Junction

Living in Grand Junction Experiment

Guest Post by Michelle Aspelin

Before Paul and I made a decision, we wanted to do a Living in Grand Junction Experiment. We already had an idea of what living in Grand Junction might be like, but we wanted to really test it out first before we decided. Our daughter started attending college at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in the fall of 2019. We had visited the area two times before we drove here from Minnesota to move her into her dorm room.

We visited her in October 2019 for Parents Weekend. After she had returned to class, we were sitting outside of the CMU library with our bagels and drinks from the café inside. It was a warm fall day with the sun warming us at our outdoor table. Paul said, “I could see us living here after we retire.” We were surprised at the thought as we were only in our late 40’s. With that thought in the back of our minds, we continued on with our life in Minnesota.

Maybe Arizona?

In the fall of 2021, we drove our second daughter to Arizona to start her college experience. We realized that we didn’t need to hurry back to Minnesota after we got her settled. It was the start of being “empty nesters” for us. We made several stops in small towns on our way back to “check them out”. Might we live in Arizona? Visiting places like Sedona and Flagstaff were terrific. We didn’t realize Arizona had such a diverse environment. It’s not all hot desert in Arizona! We enjoyed the mountains too.

How about Southern Colorado?

On that same trip in 2021 we stopped in Grand Junction for a few days, giving it more consideration. When it was time to go, we drove south. Stopped in Delta, Montrose, Ridgway, and we were totally in awe of Ouray. Drove the Million Dollar Highway (whoa!) to Silverton. Stayed in Durango to give it some consideration. Then we continued east to Pagosa Springs and NE to Salida and through Denver. With each stop, pondering the question, “Could we live here?” Our online research continued. More visits to see our kids. And then we planned an experiment.

Living in Fruita Experiment

Parade of Lights in Fruita, CO

One year we drove to Moab, Utah for Thanksgiving with family and friends. We were there for several days and loved the experience. We went back again two years later but decided to extend the trip in order to do an experiment. Took the long way back from Moab via Gateway and on to Telluride, stunning mountain town. Took the free gondola up to see Mountain Village, magical! However, housing is ultra expensive! Then, we made it to Fruita, CO.

By this time, we had a better idea of what living in Grand Junction might be like, but what about Fruita? We rented a very cute 2BR/1BA home for 3 weeks, just a block off Aspen Avenue (the main street). We wanted to see what it would be like living in Fruita, Colorado. We shopped at the (very busy) grocery store. Found more great dining places. Experienced some downtown activities like the Parade of Lights in December. Went to the Visitor’s Center several times to learn more from the locals (always recommend this).

We drove into Grand Junction to see our daughter and visit more stores, dining and other places. During this trip we also drove on the other side of the Grand Mesa to consider Cedaredge and Paonia. We investigated Rifle and went to some of the wonderful parks there. Paul loved seeing them ice fishing in Rifle Gap State Park’s 350-acre reservoir!

During our Living in Fruita Experiment, we found we liked the charm of the small town of Fruita but kept driving to Grand Junction on a regular basis. They aren’t far apart, 15-20 minutes, depending on where you are going. But the experiment was useful. It helped us decide that we wanted to move to Grand Junction, not Fruita. If you have the opportunity, try an experiment like this in the city you might consider moving to. Act as if you already live there. See how it feels.

Researching Grand Junction and Mesa County

We continued to read articles and do research online. I used the “Find Places to Live” feature on niche.com to compare cities on a dozen different categories like cost of living, schools, jobs, crime, health care, night life, etc. FYI, Grand Junction is ranked the #2 place to live in Mesa County. We researched income taxes, property taxes (so low in Mesa County!), sales tax, government and civic entities, nonprofits, local businesses, and community involvement. We joined Facebook groups, followed business Facebook pages and made connections on LinkedIn.

It was time for a lifestyle change. We were young-ish, we didn’t retire when we moved to the Grand Valley. We started connecting with business professionals in the community when we visited. Our Living in Grand Junction Experiment was like we were “dating” Grand Junction. I can do my job from anywhere, I make websites and work from home. Paul easily transitioned his real estate career from Minnesota to Colorado and is loving it!

The Living in Grand Junction Experiment

While our experiment of living in Fruita, CO was a concise 3 weeks, our Living in Grand Junction Experiment was longer and more drawn out. Visiting several times, learning more, experiencing more, researching more, asking “What if…” oh so many times. We were thankful for our experiments.

When we weren’t visiting Colorado, we were preparing our home for sale. Doing updates and minor repair work, donating or selling most of our items, and mentally preparing ourselves for the cross-country move. You can read more on this website, like Paul’s post, Living in Grand Junction – What I learned in the First Three Months. If you are considering moving to Grand Junction, check out Paul’s post called Why Move to Grand Junction? It includes sections on the various housing types as well as a description of the area.

Hopefully you will be inspired to do an experiment of your own! Paul would be happy to show you around Mesa County and answer any questions you have about moving to Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade or anywhere within Mesa County. Paul Aspelin 612-306-9558 or send him a note on the Contact page.

Move to Grand Junction, we are waiting for you!

Guest Post by Michelle Aspelin
growyourmindshare.com
Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn

by Michelle Aspelin

Grand Junction, Local or Nearby Attractions, More to Know

Mountain Biking in Grand Junction CO

by Paul Aspelin, REALTOR

Grand Junction, More to Know, Relocating to Grand Junction

The Christi Reece Group’s Little Free Library

The Christi Reece Group’s Little Free Library in Grand Junction

The Christi Reece Group has taken a leap toward promoting literacy and community engagement. Introducing The Christi Reece Group’s Little Free Library right in front of our Grand Junction office! Take a book. Share a book. This exciting initiative stems from a passion for supporting local and a commitment to making a positive impact on the Grand Valley community.

We are located in the Las Colonias Park area near the Butterfly Pond, overlooking the zipline that crosses the Colorado River. A great place for a Little Free Library because it’s where people gather. Look for it by our parking area near the pond.

My wife, Michelle, and I have a connection with local libraries that started with our real estate brokerage in Minnesota. We established a strong relationship with local libraries and their respective friends’ groups. Michelle served on the Board of the Carver County Library Foundation and used her skills to volunteer to make a website for each Friends Group in Carver County, Minnesota.

Inspired by our library experiences, I knew we had to continue our partnership mentality with the Mesa County Libraries Foundation.

Little Free Library at The Christi Reece Group

I approached Christi and the team with the idea of partnering with the Mesa County Libraries foundation and requested we install a Little Free Library at our office. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and thus, our Little Free Library found its new home in front of The Christi Reece Group office in Grand Junction. A new partnership was formed. Read my post about Mesa County Libraries and be sure to get your Library Card!

As real estate professionals, we understand the significance of helping individuals with their housing needs. That often involves packing up, decluttering, and donating items. We wanted to become a book drop-off site, encouraging residents in the Grand Valley to donate their books during the process of selling their homes. The entire team at The Christi Reece Group is dedicated to being the go-to resource for anyone looking to contribute to the community through book donations. I had one past client donate a collection of over 1,000 books to our local library. The Friends group was so thankful!

We’ve made the book donation process convenient for you. You can drop off your books at The Christi Reece Group office in Grand Junction during regular business hours. Or, we can arrange to pick up the books from your location. This ensures that our Little Free Library remains stocked and ready for readers to explore new literary adventures.

What sets this initiative apart is the commitment to recycling and promoting sustainability. Recognizing that many home sellers may overlook the value of donating books, The Christi Reece Group ensures that these books don’t end up in landfills. We will donate any extra books we get to the Friends of Mesa County Libraries. This helps support their weekend book sales that, in turn, generate funds to support local library cultural programming and equipment. It’s truly a win-win for everyone involved!

For those who choose to contribute, The Christi Reece Group goes the extra mile by providing a tax donation receipt from the Mesa County Libraries Foundation. This not only acknowledges the value of the donation but also provides a tangible benefit for those looking to support charitable causes.

Over the course of my real estate career, I’ve witnessed the impact of a library partnership, emphasizing the importance of encouraging individuals to donate books. This not only preserves literary treasures but also aligns with The Christi Reece Group’s commitment to making a positive difference in the community.

Whether you have a handful of books or an extensive library, we welcome your contribution. (Please NO encyclopedias, textbooks or magazines.) Residents are encouraged to fill our CRG Little Free Library with their favorite reads while discovering new gems to take home and enjoy. “Take a Book. Share a Book.”

If you’re already living in Grand Junction or planning a visit, make sure to swing by The Christi Reece Group’s Little Free Library to find your next adventure. Find us on the Little Free Library app!

Stay updated on book drives, donation information, and community events by following The Christi Reece Group on Facebook. For those looking to arrange a book pick-up, reach out to Paul Aspelin directly at 612-306-9558 or contact the front desk at 970-589-7700.

I couldn’t be prouder to initiate The Christi Reece Group’s Little Free Library in Grand Junction to help foster community engagement, literacy promotion, and sustainability. By joining forces with the Mesa County Libraries Foundation, we have created a platform for residents to contribute to a more vibrant and connected community, one book at a time. Read my post about why I chose The Christi Reece Group.

Little Free Library in Grand Junction

Find us on the Little Free Library App on your mobile device!

The Christi Reece Group
1601 Riverfront Dr, Ste 103
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Connect with me on LinkedIn

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE
Text/Call 612-306-9558

by Paul Aspelin, REALTOR

Fruita, Grand Junction, Local or Nearby Attractions, Palisade

Two-Day Itinerary for Grand Junction Visit

Charm and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a foodie, or someone seeking a laid-back weekend getaway, Grand Junction has it all. I’ve curated this itinerary for you based on my experiences. It’s for an unforgettable long weekend in the Grand Valley, exploring the cities of Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade and more. Knowing what I know, this is how I would plan out the perfect weekend for first-time visitors coming to the Grand Valley.

Day 1: Arrival and Grand Valley Exploration

Accommodations

Your Grand Valley adventure begins with choosing the perfect place to stay. Whether you prefer a familiar chain hotel near the airport or downtown, a cozy Airbnb in Fruita, or a romantic bed and breakfast in Palisade, the Grand Valley welcomes you with diverse options. Each city offers its unique charm, and accessibility is never an issue. You can even stay in a tiny house or Airstream right on the Colorado River at Camp Eddy RV Park! Beautiful views and peaceful location.

Morning Energizer at Kiln Coffee or Sweet Coloradough

Start your first day with a visit to Kiln Coffee on Main Street, between 3^rd and 4^th street in downtown Grand Junction. Immerse yourself in the local vibe and savor a cup of expertly brewed coffee. If you’re a donut fan, Sweet Coloradough now has a location in Grand Junction on North Ave. between 12th and 14th Streets near the CMU campus. Try the croughnut, a cross between an 11 layer croissant and a doughnut. Oh, and at Sweet Colorado, you can get coffee, breakfast and lunch sandwiches too! They offer crazy boozy drinks at their Glenwood Springs location!

“Moon Rock” on The Ribbon Trail in Bangs Canyon. Overlooking Grand Junction and Palisade. You can see Mount Garfield in the distance, the Book Cliff Mountains

Hiking Adventure to “Moon Rock”

For an active start, hike just the beginning 15-20 minutes of the Ribbon Trail in Bangs Canyon Management Area to witness the panoramic views from what locals affectionately call “Moon Rock.” The short hike offers not only stunning vistas overlooking the city but also a glimpse of the valley’s diverse landscapes. It’s popular with mountain bikers. You won’t believe what you see as the trail opens. Don’t hike the full trail, it’s 7 miles and strenuous. To get there from Grand Junction, take Broadway over the Colorado River to Monument Road then D Road and a few more turns to the trailhead. See The Ribbon Trail trailhead for info and complete directions.

Palisade Sunday Farmers Market and Winery Trail

If you are here on a Sunday in the summer, head to downtown Palisade for the legendary Farmers Market. It is voted one of the top markets in the country. If it’s peach season (July/August), you’re in for a treat. Explore the downtown shops and consider renting a mountain bike for the Palisade Plunge if you are a risk taker. Alternatively, follow the Scenic Fruit & Wine Byway and indulge in the region’s emerging reputation as the next Napa Valley. Palisade and East Orchard Mesa offer 26+ wineries and the renowned Palisade peaches. Learn more by reading my post about Palisade. Palisade has many agritourism opportunities too. Visit the farms, orchards and vineyards for unique experiences.

Late Lunch in Downtown Grand Junction

Return to Grand Junction for a late lunch at Main Street Bagels. Order the peach smoothie when in season – a true local delight. Experience the charm of one of the cutest downtowns you’ll ever shop in. Afterward, head to Los Colonias Park for a zipline adventure, a stroll on the bridge over the Colorado River, and visit the Butterfly Pond.

Main Street Bagels Springtime

Rim Rock Drive at the Colorado National Monument

As the afternoon turns into evening, embark on a 23-mile adventure along Rim Rock Drive in the Colorado National Monument. You’ll need a National Parks pass or can purchase a day pass at the entrance. The drive is particularly enchanting just before dusk, with big horn sheep making an appearance near Fruita. Allow 90 minutes for the average visit to truly experience the monument, including short hikes at pull-offs like Grand View, Monument Canyon Overlook, and Cold Shivers Point. I recommend starting at the East Entrance in Grand Junction off Monument Drive, about 10 minutes out of town. Drive towards Fruita. The Visitor Center is in Fruita, near the West Entrance.

Two Day Itinerary for Grand Junction Visit includes the Colorado National Monument - East Entrance sign

Colorado National Monument East Entrance in Grand Junction, Colorado

Dinner in Quaint Fruita

Time your exit from Rim Rock Drive to coincide with dinner in Fruita. Fruita, CO is a charming town, often considered the mountain biking capital of the world. We discovered The Hot Tomato restaurant on one of our first trips to the area and highly recommend it! Legendary pizza, great calzones and salads and an impressive craft beer selection. Despite the likely wait, locals will tell you it’s well worth it. Outside dining available. Learn more about Fruita.

Day 2: Campus Stroll, Grand Mesa Exploration, and Evening Indulgence

Morning at Dream Cafe in Downtown Grand Junction

On your second day, bypass the hotel breakfast and head to Dream Cafe in downtown Grand Junction. If you’re lucky enough to secure an outdoor table, savor a delicious breakfast against the backdrop of the perfect Grand Valley mornings we are known for.

Self-Guided Tour of Colorado Mesa University

After breakfast, head down North Avenue to 12^th Street to the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) campus. Take a self-guided stroll through the breathtaking campus. The University buildings are unique, many with rooftop seating for study time or gatherings. The state-of-the-art Hamilton Rec Center is a good place to see. The Maverick Bookstore in the University Center is a great stop to shop and there’s dining options, a Starbucks and a student game room with a bar called The Point. Locals value having this institution at the heart of Grand Junction. You can stay at the Hotel Maverick and dine at Devil’s Kitchen located on the top floor that overlooks campus and provides incredible views of the Monument. Both offer opportunities for hospitality students studying at CMU.

Lunch Options

Lunch choices near CMU Campus include Kannah Creek Brewing Company or the Ale House.
For downtown Grand Junction options consider Trail Life Brewery, Rockslide Brewery, or Pour Fellows.

Two Day Itinerary from Grand Junction includes the Grand Mesa

The second pull-off, after Powderhorn Mountain Resort and before the Grand Mesa Visitor Center

Grand Mesa Adventure

Next, hop on I-70 East to Exit 49 past Palisade to get on CO-65 and explore the Grand Mesa. “The Mesa” is the world’s largest flat-top mountain with 300+ lakes and beautiful forests. A stop at Powderhorn Mountain Resort offers spectacular views. In the warmer months mountain bikers utilize the chair lifts. If visiting in September/October, witness the breathtaking fall colors. Plan on 3 hours of drive time if you do the loop that brings you thorough Cedaredge and Delta. If you don’t have that much time, you can drive to the Grand Mesa Visitor Center (which might be closed) just past Powderhorn and turn around. That will make sure you get to one of the most breathtaking pull-offs. However, read my post about Living in Grand Junction – What I learned in the First Three Months. The Visitor Center isn’t always open, and it may not have toilet paper, so be prepared. Learned this from experience.

Cattlemen’s Bar and Grill in Loma

Wrap up your Grand Mesa adventure with a meal at Cattlemen’s Bar and Grill in Loma. Take I-70 West just past Fruita, it’s worth the drive! Voted Best of the West Steakhouse and Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant in 2021, this place offers hand-cut steaks, prime rib, hearty burgers, a large salad bar, warm rolls, and a well-stocked bar. The restaurant’s commitment to serving ranchers, cowboys, soldiers, and anyone with a healthy appetite ensures a satisfying end to your day. It’s delicious and reasonably priced. There are options besides steak, including vegetarian entrees.

Petroglyphs on “Wall Street” in Moab, Utah

Day Trips

If you’ve never seen dinosaur tracks out in the open, petroglyphs, or a quintessential mountain town, then please read my post Top Day Trips from Grand Junction. There’s a lot to do in the region surrounding Grand Junction. And if you are flying here, read my tips in the Grand Junction Airport experience post.

Visit and Play Like a Local

You will see a lot of language in tourism content about “leave no trace”. It means to respect the land and waterways, put all trash where it belongs, leave things the way you found them in nature, etc. In the Grand Valley, we also ask that you “play like a local” and help us keep our vast array of amenities clean and ready for the next person. Respect the local residents as well as the land and water when you travel through our beautiful Grand Valley. Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles

That’s a Wrap

Grand Junction is a destination that seamlessly blends natural wonders, historical charm, and outdoor adventures. The itinerary I laid out for you ensures you experience some of the best that the Grand Valley has to offer. Come with an open heart and leave with unforgettable memories of the Grand Valley’s unique charm and warmth. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a food enthusiast, or someone seeking a peaceful retreat, the Grand Valley has something for everyone.

Once you’ve fallen in love with the Grand Valley and it’s time to consider relocation, just give me a call. I would be happy to create a personal itinerary that includes touring homes and some other special sights if you are considering living in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade or anywhere in Mesa County.

Taken at Cold Shivers Point on the Colorado National Monument

Move to Grand Junction… We’ve been waiting for you!

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Text/call me with your questions! 612-306-9558

Paul Aspelin, Realtor®
GRI, SRES®, CNE
Serving Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade and all of Mesa County Colorado.

by Paul Aspelin, REALTOR

Grand Junction, Local or Nearby Attractions, Relocating to Grand Junction

Top Day Trips from Grand Junction, Colorado

Use this area as a base camp to experience the top day trips from Grand Junction Colorado. When you visit Grand Junction, you’ll find so many wonderful things to do and see in the Grand Valley. It would be a challenge to list them all from here. Instead, I’d like to share some of the day trips from Grand Junction, Colorado that I have done with family and friends and would go again in a heartbeat. I include some tips and insights for each location.

I will warn you, cell service is spotty in this region, so be sure to download Google maps, bring a paper map, or know where you are going. And always pack snacks and plenty of water to drink. Read my post about avoiding altitude sickness if this is your first time at elevations of 5,000-10,000 feet. We took some of these top day trips from Grand Junction Colorado before we moved to the area and wouldn’t hesitate to go back with friends and family that visit.

ATVing can get messy on Moab, UT, especially when you ride the day after it snows!

Moab, Utah

Great for mountain biking, ATVing, “Jeeping”, yes, that’s a thing in Moab. Exceptional trails for all sorts of outdoor activities. Plus, access to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. We’ve stayed in Moab twice now for Thanksgiving to use the ATV trails. Once we rode on a friend’s ATV and the second time, we did a full day rental with a trailer. It was expensive, but worth it, we had so much fun on the trails. One of our favorite restaurants there is Pasta Jay’s, exceptional Italian food! Check out the Corona Arch hike, the petroglyphs along “wall street” as the local climbers refer to it, and the many dinosaur track locations. The town has great shopping and a very laid-back vibe with an array of off-road vehicles lining the streets. There is always something to do and see in Moab!

Dinosaur National Monument

Dinosaur bones at Dinosaur National Park

Drive 2 hours north to see a pile of actual dinosaur bones still intact from inside the museum that was built around it. It’s pretty cool. The bones traveled down a river, and many came to a final resting place together. I have been to the museum and am planning to go back to hike the trails and see more fossils in the area. We stopped here on a drive back to Minnesota and it didn’t disappoint. On that trip we also hit nearby Flaming Gorge on our drive north, a beautiful area too! This route helped us avoid the I-70 closure due to a forest fire in Glenwood Canyon.

Telluride

2.5 hours south, Telluride is known for its winter skiing and snowboarding, but it’s an exceptional day trip for summer activities like hiking, biking, shopping, concerts and more. Standing on the street and looking at the town feels majestic with the towering mountains surrounding you.

View of Telluride from the Gondola

In Telluride, you can ride the gondola in town to the top of the mountain, for free, and onward to Mountain Village. Our first time there was in November and my wife said, “If there was such a thing as the North Pole, its Mountain Village”.

You’ll find plenty of shopping and dining at the foot of the ski mountain and in the downtown area of Telluride. While enjoying the scenery from the gondola, look for the tiny runway at the Telluride airport. Don’t know how those planes can take off and get high enough before they run out of runway at the end of the cliff! There isn’t any specific parking for the gondola, but you can hunt for a spot on the street or parking ramp and walk to the entrance. There is just something magical about a visit to Telluride any time of year.

Ouray and Silverton

Ouray is pronounced (yur-ay). These are beautiful mountain towns in the San Juan Mountains with so much history and allure. It takes 2 hours to get to Ouray and then you can take the famous “million dollar highway” to Silverton. A scary, but beautiful road. I don’t recommend driving it in the winter with its many 15 mph hairpin curves and lack of guardrails. Avalanches kept knocking down the guardrails and they got tired of replacing them, so they just don’t have any. And the shoulder is about 10 inches until the 1000-foot drop off, no kidding! It’s an adventure just to drive that stretch of highway.

Ouray at the “Switzerland of America” sign

Ouray, also referred to as the “Switzerland of America” offers an incredible quaint, historic mountain town experience with views you won’t soon forget. While in town, enjoy a soak at one of the local hot springs, or take a short hike to see the Box Canyon Waterfall, or just enjoy watching the ice climbers in the winter. Be prepared to be amazed.

Continue your scenic journey South, 24 miles to Silverton, which offers great shopping, dining, breweries, and lots of trails. Be warned, there is a tourist sightseeing train that travels between Durango and Silverton which can make for extended wait times at some restaurants depending on the timing of its arrival. We ate at the Lacey Rose Saloon located in the Grand Imperial Hotel in Silverton. The atmosphere was 100% Old West! Exactly what we came to experience. We enjoyed a great lunch listening to a live ragtime piano player and found out there was still a bullet in the woodwork behind the bar from a prior “shootout”. You can literally feel the Old West and mining history as you stroll the main street.

Snowshoeing on the Mesa

Grand Mesa

The world’s largest flat-top mountain is just 45 minutes from Grand Junction. There are 300+ lakes with miles and miles of hiking, ATV, snowmobiling, and cross-country ski trails. You can ski at Powderhorn Mountain Resort with much shorter wait times for the chair lifts. We attended their Octoberfest celebration with German food and beer while we were driving through looking at the stunning fall leaves. On the Grand Mesa, there are rental cabins, lodges, and campgrounds available for overnight stays. Be warned, the visitor center on the main road across “the Mesa” isn’t open on the weekends. In fact, we’ve been up there a dozen times and have yet to set foot inside the visitor center. Oh, and using the bathroom spurred my post about what I learned in the first 3 months of living in Grand Junction, always have toilet paper in your car as rest stops, pit toilets and visitor centers are often out of toilet paper!

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park view from the top. Photo by Emma Aspelin

Very picturesque just 1.5 hours SE of Grand Junction. You drive through Delta and Montrose, cute small towns to get to the Gunnison River gorge and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Here’s how the National Park Service describes it… “Big enough to be overwhelming, still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. With two million years to work, the Gunnison River, along with the forces of weathering, has sculpted this vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.” We were impressed. We stopped here on our way back from a trip to Ouray.

Glenwood Springs Hot Springs

If you drive East on I-70 right to Iron Mountain Hot Springs from Grand Junction, it’s about an hour and 20 minutes. However, our first time there we went onto the Mesa first to do some snowshoeing near Mesa Lakes Lodge and then drove to Glenwood Springs specifically to soak in the hot springs. Iron Mountain Hot Springs offers a 3-hour soaking “appointment” and that was just the right amount of time. They have a changing room with showers and lockers. We spent time in pretty much every pool they offered with a range of temperatures from 96-108 degrees. It was our first hot spring experience. It’s right next to I-70 so there was a little road noise. But you also viewed the Colorado River, so that was nice. We watched the sun set over the mountain. There’s another hot spring there too, Glenwood Hot Springs, also along the river and the interstate. We will be checking out other hot springs in Colorado, but this is definitely a great option for a day trip from Grand Junction.

Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles

https://www.colorado.com/articles/leave-no-trace-care-colorado The Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles were created in partnership between the Colorado Tourism Office and the Leave No Trace organization to address recreation-related impacts in Colorado. Read their tips of what to know before you go, sticking to the trails, and other topics like trash, fire and wildlife.

Living in Grand Junction

If you fly into the Grand Junction airport to visit Mesa County, let me know. I’d love to share what it’s like to move to Grand Junction AND living in Grand Junction now as a full-time resident. We relocated to the area in 2023. As a licensed REALTOR® I can show you some properties while you are here too! Read my posts about moving to Grand Junction, Fruita, or Palisade. Ask me about any town in Mesa County!

Read the Two Day Itinerary for Grand Junction Visit post for more ideas.

Happy travels!

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Call/text me with your questions! 612-306-9558

Paul Aspelin, Realtor®
GRI, SRES®, CNE
Serving Mesa County, licensed in Colorado.

by Paul Aspelin, REALTOR

Grand Junction, More to Know, Relocating to Grand Junction

Grand Junction Airport Experience

First, let’s talk in general about the Grand Junction airport (GJT). It opened in 1930 as Walker Field. It’s the largest on the western slope and the third largest in the state after Denver (DEN) and Colorado Springs (COS). You get a beautiful view sitting in the gate area because you can see the planes take-off and land with the Book Cliff Mountains in the backdrop. There are only 6 gates, so it’s cozy and you can hear all the flight announcements. Flights through GJT are not cheap, so do your research and book far in advance if you can.

Alternate Airports

To save money getting to Grand Junction, you can fly to Denver or Salt Lake City (each within about 4 hours) and drive to Grand Junction. However, when it comes time to fly back, I highly recommend you drive there one day and take a flight out the next day. Don’t drive and fly on the same day, especially to Denver as I-70 traffic is quite unpredictable any time of the year with accidents, avalanche closures, forest fires and mud slide closures. Yes, we’ve been delayed or diverted because of all these events. You can fly into Montrose (MTJ) sometimes for less, and that’s just about an hour south. They have on-site parking for departures and have recently expanded their terminal and services.

Grand Junction Airport (GJT) Top 10% in World

Grand Junction Regional Airport is one of only three airports in the U.S. to receive a five-star rating. Three U.S. airports in Hawaii received a five-star rating along with Salt Lake City, Utah; Boise, Idaho; and Grand Junction, Colorado. The star ratings range from one to five stars. Airlines and airports, in the top 10%, offer the best on-time performance to receive a five-star rating. Nearly 85% of Grand Junction Airport’s flights arrived and departed on-time.

In addition to the on-time performance, Grand Junction Regional Airport ranked number eight among North America’s small airports in “Turnaround Kings”. This rating accredits airports that receive late arrivals and turn the aircraft around for an on-time departure.

Photo taken on one of our flights leaving GJT.

Airlines serving Grand Junction Airport

Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Breeze (new in 2023/2024), and United Airlines. These carriers can bring you to Grand Junction from the following major cities for connecting flights: Denver (DEN), Dallas/Fort Worth (SFW), Phoenix (PHX), Los Angeles (LAX), and Las Vegas (LAS). Breeze is adding new flights to San Francisco (SFO) in May 2024 and now flies to John Wayne Orange County/Santa Ana (SNA).

Food, Drinks and Gifts at Grand Junction Airport

For your departure from GJT, there is a grill and concessions available at the airport. You can order a meal to be prepared fresh or grab a premade sandwich, get your coffee, or other food items. There’s a gift shop if you need postcards to send to your loved ones or a magazine or book for the flight. Or, plan ahead and get a free book from the Friends of the Library books for sale at the Grand Junction Library. Typical Grand Junction souvenirs and gifts as well as snacks for on the plane. Plus, right in the gate area is a full-service bar serving passengers 21 and older.

Parking at the Airport

Here’s the link to parking at the Grand Junction airport so you have the most up-to-date rates and availability. Did you know that you can park in the lot for up to 20 minutes for FREE? As of this writing (January 2024) parking is just $12 a day. Now they don’t offer covered parking, just an open lot, but that’s reasonable considering what you’d pay to park at a large international airport. Departures from the Grand Junction airport are very convenient.

Welcome sign as you exit the Grand Junction airport

Easy Pick-Up and Drop-Off

Every time we have picked up friends or relatives at the airport, there hasn’t been more than 5 cars out front at the curb. It’s very easy to get up close to the doors for arrivals or departures. I know the standard is to arrive 2 hours before your flight for check-in, but when flying out of the Grand Junction airport, you probably can get by with arriving 1-1.5 hours ahead of time. There’s just one security checkpoint, one conveyor to scan your bags. The line moves fast, unless the TSA agent gets chatty, then it takes longer.

Budget Car Rental in Grand Junction, CO

There are several options for ground transportation when you arrive at the Grand Junction airport. You can rent a car from companies like Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz or National. You can choose to take a bus to your destination via Grand Valley Transit or Bustang (transportation throughout Colorado). There are special shuttles to other areas in western Colorado like Aspen, Telluride and to Moab, Utah. Check out all the ground transportation options. And, of course, there are other options for budget car rental in Grand Junction like renting someone’s personal vehicle using an app like Turo. Since Grand Junction is a small community, it’s easy to ask a friend or neighbor to give you a ride to the airport or pick you up. It shouldn’t take them more than 10-20 minutes to get to the airport, and there most likely won’t be any traffic to slow them down like other larger congested cities.

Ready to Go?

Read my post Two Day Itinerary for Grand Junction Visit or Top Day Trips from Grand Junction – see you soon!

Living in Grand Junction

We’ve flown into both Salt Lake City and Denver and driven the rest of the way to Grand Junction. And many times, we have taken a flight right into the Grand Junction airport. Our daughter flew out of Montrose once to Detroit (via Chicago) because it offered a much lower rate than flying out of Grand Junction. We appreciate the convenient service of a small local airport and are thankful it’s here. It has everything you need as a traveler and not much more! We love living in Grand Junction.

If you are planning a trip to Grand Junction, please let me know. I’d love to show you around the area if this is your first visit. As a licensed REALTOR® in Colorado, I can even show you some properties during your visit to Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade and our surrounding communities in Mesa County if you are considering living in Grand Junction. Check out my post with the average monthly temperatures in Grand Junction.

I’ve been in real estate since 2001 and would love to help you buy a property in Grand Junction! Read what I learned in the first three months of living in Grand Junction.

Let me help you… Move to Grand Junction!

We’ve been waiting for you!

Text/Call 612-306-9558 with your questions.

Paul Aspelin, Realtor®
GRI, SRES®, CNE

by Paul Aspelin, REALTOR

Fruita, Grand Junction, Local or Nearby Attractions, Palisade, Relocating to Grand Junction

Living In Grand Junction – What I learned in the first 3 months

What I learned in my first three months

Living in Grand Junction has been a better experience than my wife and I expected. There are lots of things to do in Grand Junction, Colorado that’s for sure! I want to share some things we’ve learned. They might help you, should you decide to live in Grand Junction, Palisade, Fruita or anywhere in Mesa County. Let me know what you think! Text/Call me anytime with your questions or share your story with me. 612-306-9558.

Save Money on Gas

We moved from a suburban area with a population of 100,000+. It was a 20-minute drive to the mall with major department stores, or 10-15 minutes to closer cities that served most of our needs. However, living in Grand Junction is saving us money on gas. Where we are located, going to Target, the grocery store or the mall is under a 2-mile drive. Getting to Main Street downtown takes 10 minutes. Because everything is so close, we are spending way less on gas for everyday services. That was a surprise.

Gas prices seem average overall. City Market gives a discount on gas when you shop there. Get their app. And even better, save on gas throughout the Grand Valley when you use the Upside App. Use my code to get you an extra $.15/gallon cash back the first time you fill up. Use code: UK3UT.

Elevation vs. Population

In Minnesota, as you approached a new city along the Interstate, the sign included the population. In Colorado, elevation takes center stage over population on road signs. At first, I thought that was amusing, but now I find it quite helpful. Grand Junction’s elevation is officially 4,646’ above sea level. We are surrounded by the Book Cliff Mountains, the Colorado National Monument, and the Grand Mesa. All mountains that increase the elevation another 1,000 to 6,000+ feet higher. As you drive into the mountains its fun to realize your elevation, especially as you drive over the scenic mountain passes.

You might also like these posts: What is the Grand Valley and How to Avoid Altitude Sickness.

Grand Junction Bike and Trail Map (click to enlarge)

Grand Junction is Bike Friendly

Because of the warmer weather, people ride bikes year-round here. That means you’ll likely see bikers on your regular car outings so keep your eyes open. Stay vigilant. When you approach a stoplight and you want to turn right, stay back until you know the crosswalk is clear of bikers and pedestrians. And watch over your shoulder as bicyclists can come up behind you quickly. And never pull up too far at any stoplight, stay out of the crosswalk because there are people everywhere, especially downtown. The city has done a good job adding specific bike lanes alongside traffic to keep riders safe. Here’s a great map from Mesa County so you can see which major streets have bike lanes. The map also includes trails like the Colorado Riverfront Trail. Grand Junction Bike and Pedestrian Route Map

Community Focused

I am amazed at the number of events and activities going on in Fruita, Grand Junction, Palisade, and all over Mesa County. Everyone is very friendly here and always willing to share what they are up to. There are so many websites, Facebook pages and other social media accounts you can follow to find out what to do in the Grand Valley. Dining, outdoor adventures, wine tours, hiking, biking and so much more. I subscribe to many of the sites and pages and appreciate the advanced notice for upcoming events.

The Business Times is a local paper that helps keep me informed about business related community news. I also follow the Grand Junction Economic Partnership on LinkedIn and I subscribe to their newsletter. There are a lot of start-up businesses in the area and many remote work-from home professionals. You’ll find book clubs, professional organizations and so many recreational outings and clubs. There is no shortage of community involvement. And I didn’t even touch on the many wonderful nonprofit organizations!

Tourism is important to the Grand Valley. 30% of Grand Junction’s sales tax revenue comes from tourism. There are 6300 employed in the tourism industry in Mesa County. At a recent Western Colorado Economic Summit, I heard from city and tourism leaders from Fruita, Palisade and Grand Junction. They all commented that they keep a balance between tourism and community and that community (residents and businesses) always come first, tourism second. I like that philosophy! And the representative from Visit Grand Junction said the most common comment they hear from visitors is that the people of the Grand Valley are so friendly, that’s awesome!

Blaine’s Farm Store near Palisade has fantastic produce and gifts

The Best Produce at Incredible Prices

There is so much local produce available for people living in Grand Junction. Of course, the Palisade peaches top the list, but the freshness and variety of plums, apples, pears and locally grown vegetables are all exceptional. When our daughter started at CMU, she said, “I don’t think I ever realized what a tree ripened pear tasted like until I started living in Grand Junction.” Amazing! I’ve also found that the prices on other produce not grown locally can be half the price I was paying in the Midwest and much fresher. Must be the proximity to California. Either way, be prepared to eat fresher, better, and less expensive produce when living in Grand Junction.

Everyone Has a Story

No matter who you talk to, everyone has a story about how they ended up living in Grand Junction. Some people attended Colorado Mesa University and never left. Others met their current partners elsewhere and came back home to live in Grand Junction. Some relocated for work or family, and many just fell in love with living the lifestyle the Grand Valley offers.

Every time I meet someone new, they ask what brought me to the Grand Valley. I always answer with “A desire to be closer to our children. And weather, and scenery, and quality of life, and location and the sense of community and the Palisade peaches and…” the list goes on and on! I’ve learned that almost everyone decided on living in Grand Junction for the quality of life, and the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors year-round and experience all four seasons.

Diverse Housing and New Construction

Living in Grand Junction, or anywhere in Mesa County, you have many choices for housing. In fact, we are finding it hard to choose exactly where we want to live in Grand Junction. Or maybe we end up in Fruita or Palisade. Modern, traditional, and historic homes coexist. Homes were first built in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. We have an abundance of homes currently under construction today. Numerous neighborhoods and varying price ranges cater to different preferences. You can choose an urban lot, a little larger suburban lot, or there are lots of stunning acreage lots for sale in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Loma, Mack, Orchard Mesa, East Orchard Mesa and beyond.

What we have found helpful is to ask people where exactly they live in Mesa County and why. We want to know what they like and don’t like about where they live now. Ask me about homesteading in Whitewater along Kannah Creek! It’s really helping us to narrow down our geographic choices. When you look at sites like Realtor.com, just remember that not all properties are listed on the MLS or advertised on the Internet. I collaborate with local agents. I know when there are properties coming on the market well before the public knows. So, if you have certain criteria and you just aren’t finding it online, text or call me.

House Hacking is Alive and Well in Mesa County

If you are looking for ways to lower your monthly out of pocket expense for housing, then consider some of these house hacks. Many cities in Mesa County allow ADUs, an Accessory Dwelling Unit. That means you can legally have a second residence on your property. ADUs are allowed on single-family properties that are greater than 6,500 square feet in size. The size of the ADU is limited depending on the primary structure size. Call the Planning Department at 970-244-1636 with the address to discuss the limitations and process. The second unit could be a tiny house, a converted garage or other small structure. It’s a way to earn rental income to offset your housing costs. Read my post about ADUs in Grand Junction.

Another hack is roommates. Consider a property with a mother-in-law suite within the primary residence where your renter has their own private entrance. Or rent your spare bedrooms. You can even rent garage space or allow someone to store an RV on your property for a fee. All of it can create rental income to offset your cost of living. Many homes by Colorado Mesa University have been remodeled to maximize bedrooms and rental opportunities for landlords.

As I tour more properties in the Grand Valley, I see so much potential. Living in Grand Junction can be as diverse as you’d like it to be when it comes to housing.

The Temperature isn’t the Temperature

Adjusting to the Colorado desert climate involves understanding temperature nuances. Coming from the Midwest, we had to deal with humidity in the summer. Not as much as the southeast, but it made a difference. Ninety degrees and high humidity is not like ninety degrees with low humidity. The high desert allows me to enjoy those 90-degree days outdoors instead of wanting to stay inside with air conditioning. So far, the fall has been fabulous. December in the Grand Valley is like October in Minnesota. Every time we walk out the door, we are thankful to be here to enjoy the mild temps. Depending on where you are moving from, living in Grand Junction or Mesa County could be a big change for you too. I share the average monthly temperatures in my post called Grand Junction weather.

When it’s 40 degrees outside, I reach for my hat and gloves before I walk out the door, like I used to do. But so often, I don’t need them because 40 degrees feels warmer here than in the Midwest. The proximity to the sun at higher elevations intensifies its effects, makes it feel warmer than what we think it should feel like. When you step into the shade, you can really feel a drop in the temperature. We are still adjusting to it. Always dress in layers. And the locals have taught us, if you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it will change. And it does!

Always be prepared!

Keep Toilet Paper in Your Car

Yeah, this is a strange one. If you go exploring, you can’t count on a vault toilet or outhouse to have toilet paper for you or your passengers. And sometimes you are just lucky to have a facility at all. Road trip essentials. Keep toilet paper in your car, hand sanitizer or wipes, and other necessities that public restrooms might not supply. With the dryer weather, I also recommend some hand lotion. And it’s important to use sunscreen during the winter because the glare off the snow can cause sunburn. We keep extra sunglasses in our glove box for our “adventure trips” in case our passengers don’t have any. We stopped at many rest areas and visitor centers where there was no toilet paper. And remember, when you hike, pack it in and pack it out. Do not leave toilet paper in nature. Bring a bag for all of your trash. Oh, and if you haven’t been advised yet, bring lots of water!

Be sure to read my Top Day Trips from Grand Junction post where I share our personal experiences and tips for you. And the Grand Junction airport experience!

Your Story

Discover your story in Grand Junction. Reach out to me at 612-306-9558 for more insights and guidance on making Grand Junction your home. Ask me about the time the sheep got out in Fruita and blocked traffic on I-70! I have plenty of stories to share. I’d love to show you around the Grand Valley and help you discover the perfect place to call home.

Let me help you… Move to Grand Junction!