Tag Archive for: Paul Aspelin REALTOR®

55+ Communities in Grand Junction

House Hunting When You Are 55+

55+ Communities in Grand Junction offer a range of options for older adults looking for low-maintenance and active living. Before I made my move to Grand Junction, I was holding an open house in a new construction single family home geared towards older adults. The neighborhood had a Homeowners Association (HOA) to take care of all the exterior maintenance like yard services. No community center or other facilities. The model I was in was a spacious one-level home with three bedrooms on the main level and a two-car garage.

I had a 62-year-old gentleman strike up a memorable conversation with me. He explained that he has a boat, a motorcycle, two cars, and he and his wife like to ride bikes. It made him wonder how he’d be able to fit all his toys in this narrow two-stall garage. He asked, “Why don’t these builders understand that just because we want a home with no exterior maintenance, that doesn’t mean we sit home all day. We need room for our “stuff” as well as a simpler lifestyle as we get older.”

I fully understood where he was coming from. There are national builders, like D.R. Horton that build 55+ communities where you own your own single-family home and they include amenities like a club house, pickleball courts, workout room, and community eating and entertaining spaces. Over my career I have helped several clients build homes in communities like these. Be warned though. These robust communities also come with high monthly fees. You may, or may not, want all of that.

I haven’t found housing available in 55+ Communities in Grand Junction that are like this. Where you own a single-family home. Until now…

Chipeta Hollows

Good news! BOA Builders is building a 55+ Community in Grand Junction! Technically it’s in Orchard Mesa just east of the Chipeta Golf Course. This new development broke ground in June 2025. It is an Epcon Community. You can learn more about this option by visiting the Epcon website.

Epcon describes it this way…

“Discover Chipeta Hollows, an exclusive neighborhood designed for those who seek a vibrant, active, and low-maintenance lifestyle. Built by BOA Builders, known for their commitment to quality craftsmanship, energy efficiency, and sustainable living, Chipeta Hollows redefines a lifestyle of living in Grand Junction, CO. Chipeta Hollows community offers resort-style amenities to enhance your daily life. Enjoy the beautifully designed clubhouse, perfect for social gatherings, fitness activities, and relaxation. Stay active with a pickleball court, a sparkling pool, and scenic walking trails, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Western Colorado. For pet lovers, the dog park and dog wash station ensure that your furry companions feel just as at home as you do.”

Buyer Representation

If Chipeta Hollows (or any new or existing development) sounds like a place you’d like to live, contact me before you call or go visit so I can explain to you your right to buyer representation before you contact the builder or developer. This is very important. If you contact them first, you may forfeit your right to be represented. The real estate agent or “sales rep” in open houses and builder models represent the seller or the builder, not the buyer. When I represent buyers, I always put their best interests first. Agents representing the seller are obligated to put the seller’s interest first, not the buyers. Call or text me at (612) 306-9558 if you have any questions about representation in Colorado. Real Estate Representation laws and rules vary by state.

👉 Read my post about being your personal Grand Junction Relocation Guide!

Homeowner Association (HOA) Fees

Let’s talk about low maintenance and HOA fees. In Minnesota, HOA fees were much higher than here in Grand Junction because they had to include snow removal and lawn maintenance services. In northern and eastern states there can be lots of grass to mow and shrubs to trim on a regular basis. Many snowfalls over 2” that require shoveling or plowing (again and again) and you have to treat the roads and sidewalks with salt or sand to get rid of the ice.

Luckily, here in sunny Grand Junction, there aren’t many plowable snow events, maybe a slight accumulation of snow 2-3 times a winter which is usually melted by the end of the day. And being in the desert, the landscaping is already drought tolerant and full of low maintenance plants like cactus and beautiful rose bushes that start blooming in late April or early May. Less maintenance means less fees. Plus, our property taxes are very low here. So don’t be too scared when you see monthly HOA fees, they aren’t that bad here.

👉 HOA fees aren’t the only thing to consider when budgeting for a new home, you may be interested in my article about the cost of living in Grand Junction.

What if you just want a single-family home with low maintenance?

Single-Family Homes

The Grand Valley is “the home of 3/2 housing” meaning three bedrooms and two-bathroom ramblers or ranch style homes are commonly called one-level living in other parts of the country. Hardly any homes have basements, and if they do, they aren’t musty because we have very low humidity and low rainfall in the Grand Valley.

Most properties have a two-car garage, sometimes a three-car. Many neighborhoods allow homeowners to add sheds and additional garages to their property. More rural properties have larger lot sizes and less restrictions and they are just 5-10 minutes from downtown.

Low maintenance single family homes are easy to find too. Metal roofs are very popular and last much longer than asphalt roofing materials. Plus, without a lot of snow, our roofs don’t experience a lot of freeze/thaw, so they last longer.

Award-Winning Water Straight from the Tap

Because our water comes from the snowmelt and springs on the Grand Mesa, we don’t need extra equipment like water softeners and water treatment systems. Our water is delicious right out of the tap. It’s award winning actually. Read my post about the Grand Junction Water Supply to learn more.

55+ Communities in Grand Junction

You can easily Google “55+ Communities in Grand Junction CO” to get a list. There are zero in Palisade and one in Fruita called Village at Country Creek. Grand Junction lists about a dozen. Some offer both independent living and assisted living options for those that need care. Even though they say 55+, it feels like most of these communities are suited for those who are later in their retirement years or for anyone needing assistance.

Village Cooperative of Grand Junction
The Fountains of Hilltop
The Cottages of Hilltop
La Villa Grande Care Center
The Retreat at Harbor Cove
Larchwood Inns
Ratekin Tower Apartments
The Lodge at Grand Junction
Aspen Ridge Alzheimer’s Special Care Center
Grand Villa Assisted Living
The Commons of Hilltop
Cappella of Grand Junction
Solstice Senior Living at Mesa View

Moving to Grand Junction

So, what does all this mean? It means that Grand Junction has lots of options for 55+ housing that isn’t strictly classified for people in or nearing retirement. I haven’t even touched on the golf course communities. You can learn more about those by reading my post called More Than Redlands Mesa Golf Courses.

I have helped dozens of clients 55 and older find their next place to call home. What I’m saying is, the best place to live might not be in the state you live in now. Speaking of best place to live, Grand Junction won an award for that too being named the “Best Place to Retire” from Kiplinger Magazine. I reference it in my post called Why Choose to Retire in Grand Junction.

If you are looking for low maintenance living in a warmer climate without a lot of fuss, consider retiring or semi-retiring in Grand Junction.

Check out my related post called Retire in Grand Junction: Your Grandkids and Kids Will Thank You. It explains why living in an area that serves all ages can be critical to enticing your family to come visit you!

Call or text me at (612) 306-9558 (locally based in Grand Junction) if you are coming into town and want to connect. I’d be happy to show you around Grand Junction, Fruita, and Palisade. Learn more on my Get Started page.

Paul Aspelin sitting on a bench in Crawford State Park in front of the Crawford Reservoir

Photo from our day trip to Crawford State Park

PAUL ASPELIN, your Grand Junction Relocation & Listing Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE
Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Serving Mesa County and the Grand Valley in Colorado.

Move to Grand Junction, we’ve been waiting for you!

by Paul Aspelin, Relocation & Listing Expert

North Rim Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Day Trips from Grand Junction: North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

If you’re based in Grand Junction and looking for an unforgettable day of hiking, the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a must-see adventure.

I’ve read a few places that claim the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is the least visited National Park. It’s not because it lacks facilities and features like camping and hiking and an astounding 2000’ deep canyon. I think it’s because it’s located a little off the beaten path. Not along a major Interstate highway. To go to the main South Rim Visitor Center, you enter from Montrose and get access to the west side of the river.

Get notifications about new posts and watch my short videos on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

Drive to the North Rim Ranger Station

West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway Map

click to enlarge

To access the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, like we did for this post, you take a different route to reach the north and east side of the canyon. From Grand Junction, it’s about a 2-hour drive to the North Rim. From town, go south on CR-50 to Delta, east on 92 to Hotchkiss. Continue on CR-92 south to Crawford. This is part of the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway.

Use your mapping software to get you to the North Rim Ranger Station. The paved road turns into gravel for the last 6 miles or so, but it’s very manageable in any vehicle. Download any hiking trail maps because you most likely will not have cell service in this area.

Exclamation Point Hike

We parked at the Ranger Station and took the Vista Trail to Exclamation Point and back. The hike took us through an open meadow with so many flowers, then patches of trees that offered us some shade. We continued to the end, a cliffside overlook that looks down on the Gunnison River 2700’ feet below us. It was absolutely amazing. One of my top 5 best hikes so far.

We went in mid-May so the wildflowers were in bloom. The temperature was comfortable in the 70’s. The trail is listed as easy but there are a couple challenges where you need to pay close attention to your footing. Mostly sandy or gravel trails, sometimes rocky, but not much. Wear hiking boots/shoes if you have them. Hiking poles may come in handy, but we don’t have any and did just fine.

We hiked at a leisurely pace and stop frequently to just look around and soak it all in. We typically stop at the end for a snack before heading back. This trail is 2.9 miles out and back with a 344 ft elevation gain and it took us about an hour and 45 minutes to complete it. The All Trails apps says average time is one hour 10 minutes.

Vista Trail flowers and meadow

North Rim Exclamation Point view to Gunnison River

Vista Trail to Exclamation Point

Me at the Overlook before we reached Exclamation Point

More to see

From the North Rim Ranger Station you can drive south along the canyon rim for more overlooks and hiking trails. There is a campground on the North Rim.

You need a permit to hike down to the river’s edge and some extreme skills to handle the elevation change and steep slopes.

You can read more about the main Visitor Center and the South Rim Black Canyon of the Gunnison on my Top Day Trips from Grand Junction post.

Amazing Views on CR-92 South of Crawford, CO

Because we first stopped at the Crawford State Park Visitor Center, we got some excellent advice from the volunteers working that day. They recommended, instead of driving back to GJ the way we came, to continue south on CR-92 following the Gunnison River canyon and take Hwy 50 west into Montrose and back to Grand Junction. Because we have a decorative sign in our home that says, “always take the scenic route”, we did just that! Boy was that stunning! So many overlooks along the road, even some rumble strips to remind drivers to keep their eyes on the road. You can read my post about the Crawford State Park.

There were so many aspen trees. We plan to go back in the fall because we anticipate this to be a great place to see the fall colors. At their suggestion, we also stopped at Hermits Rest Vista. So thankful we did. More amazing views of the nearby mountains and the Gunnison River far below. We will bring friends to this spot when they come for a visit!

If you’d like to live near trails and national parks like this, Get Started!

Gunnison River from Hwy 92 near Hermits Rest Vista

Live Your Vacation Every Day… Move to Grand Junction!

If you are considering moving to Grand Junction, please give me a call. I’d love to explain your housing options and show you around Grand Junction, Fruita, and Palisade. Search Homes for Sale in Grand Junction.

Watch my short videos on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

PAUL ASPELIN, your Grand Junction Relocation & Listing Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE
Text or Call (612) 306-9558

Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Serving Mesa County and the Grand Valley of Colorado.

by Paul Aspelin, Relocation & Listing Expert

Day Trips, Local or Nearby Attractions

Crawford State Park: Day Trip from Grand Junction

A Wonderful Day at Crawford State Park

I highly recommend you take a day trip to explore Crawford State Park. It’s about 75 miles SE of Grand Junction. Crawford is on the West Elk Loop, a Scenic and Historic Byway. (See map at the end of this post.) It takes about 1.5 hours to get there via Delta and Hotchkiss. It sits at 6600’ elevation so it’s a great place to escape to when Grand Junction summers get hot. We will definitely go back and do some fishing, and maybe rent a boat or jet ski too!

Thankfully, we have a Colorado State Park Pass. We got our pass when we renewed our license tabs for our Toyota Tacoma. It’s less expensive to get your state park pass with your car tabs.

We learned something new that day too. When we entered, the Visitor Center Park Ranger gave us a red sleeve to put our Vehicle Registration Card into and we were told to place it on the dashboard, Registration side face down to protect our privacy. This lets the Rangers know we have paid for a pass. They can also look up our license plate number. There is not a “park pass” to display in your car window or sticker for your vehicle.

Visitor Center

There are three campgrounds in Crawford State Park along the north and east sides of Crawford Reservoir and three boat launches. We toured the North Shore Day Use section and then went to the Visitor Center. We sat in the picnic area to watch the people boating and fishing. Tubers were being towed behind ski boats, we saw some wake borders and others using stand up paddle boards (SUPs). We went in May just to see what the park has to offer. I am sure this is a very popular spot as the weather warms up. An excellent recreational and boating area for the locals in the area and everyone with a Colorado State Park Pass! Crawford Reservoir is the main attraction of the Crawford State Park. Scuba divers are welcome here too!

Fishing Crawford Reservoir

Crawford State Park shoreline of Crawford Reservoir near the Visitor Center

There were lots of people fishing from shore or fishing from kayaks and boats. While at the picnic area an older couple came down to fish from the shore near us. We asked what he was fishing for, and he said he catches some very large perch from the lake. Best he’s ever had. He doesn’t like fishing for trout here because they are farm raised (stocked) vs wild trout. The meat is white and not as good as wild trout’s red meat. Good to know! I haven’t gotten my Colorado Fishing License yet.

A winter visit to the park would provide opportunities for ice fishing and Nordic (cross-country) skiing. This would be a great spot for waterfowl hunting as well.

Trails at Crawford State Park

There are a limited number of trails along the 400-acre reservoir. We drove to Iron Creek Campground and had a picnic lunch near the boat launch. From here you can take a trail to the west side of the lake that leads to another overlook and day use area. You can take Black Canyon Road to the west side. This is the road we took to get to the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Lodging

If you want more than a day trip, there are several unique lodges, a hotel and an inn in the town of Crawford in addition to the three campgrounds in Crawford State Park. The Last Frontier Lodge sites up high on the north side of the lake and I imagine would have some spectacular views of the Elk Mountains to the east.

It’s a small state park, 337 acres, but offers some excellent options and, of course, exceptional views. I bet it’s a popular place come elk hunting season too.

An Amazing Stretch of Road South of Crawford, CO

Gunnison River view from CR-92 south of Crawford State Park

We got some excellent advice from the volunteers working that day at the Visitor Center. Instead of driving back to GJ the way we came, we drove south on CR-92 following the Gunnison River canyon. It was stunning! You can read more about this section of our trip on my post about the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Taking this route, you drive along the top of the Blue Mesa Dam to cross the Gunnison River. This is in the Curecanti National Recreation Area. It also gives access to the very popular Blue Mesa Reservoir. Once over the river, you take CR-50 West through Cimarron and over the Cerro Summit at 8042’ and on to Montrose, then Grand Junction. Very pretty scenery, but then again, all of Colorado is scenic!

I have several other posts about day trips from Grand Junction, check them out! Grand Junction makes an exceptional base camp for you to experience this amazing region of the country. We love living in Grand Junction!

Take the Scenic Route and to Move to Grand Junction!

Paul Aspelin in Crawford State Park in front of the Crawford Reservoir.

If you are considering moving to Grand Junction, please give me a call. I’d love show you round Grand Junction, Fruita, and Palisade.

Get notifications about new posts and watch my short videos on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

PAUL ASPELIN, your Grand Junction Real Estate Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE
Text/Call (612) 306-9558

Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Serving Mesa County and the Grand Valley of Colorado.

West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway Map

West Elk Loop Brochure Cover

This map comes in handy, we have referenced it for several trips. Thankfully, we have been to Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Aspen, Redstone, and Marble. The climb over the stunning McClure Pass (ask to see one of my favorite pictures from the pass), Paonia, Hotchkiss, Crawford, and Gunnison too. Discovered Kebler Pass during an August trip (gravel road not open in winter) to Crested Butte and stayed in Mount Crested Butte. We have also been to the North and South rims of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

The Fruita Visitor Center has the best selection of brochures and information for things to do in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Mesa County and the entire state of Colorado and eastern Utah. We picked this one up there and have had it in the car with us on several trips. See cover on the right.

by Paul Aspelin, Relocation & Listing Expert

Grand Junction, Grand Junction Real Estate

Living in Durango CO vs Grand Junction

Comparing Living in Durango CO vs Grand Junction

I’ve had several people call that are comparing Living in Durango CO vs Grand Junction when they are researching moving to Colorado. Both Grand Junction and Durango offer appealing lifestyles in our very scenic Western Colorado, but they cater to slightly different preferences. When you’re relocting, I understand you want the scoop in comparing the two cities before buying a house in Colorado.

Before getting into the comparisons, it may be helpful to understand why people are moving to Grand Junction.

Below is my comparison across lifestyle, housing costs, outdoor activities, retirement appeal, and access to mountain biking, an airport and healthcare. You might also find my Grand Junction cost of living comparison tool valuable.

Stay up to date about new MoveToGrandJunction.com posts and watch my short videos on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

Housing Costs

Grand Junction:
- Generally GJ is more affordable than Durango which is great for budget-conscious buyers and retirees and the general population.
- Median home prices (as of late 2024) hover around $375K–$425K.
- More housing inventory, including 55+ communities and urban or suburban developments. I have relationships with several local home builders and insight into new communities that are being developed, like Redlands 360.
- Lower property taxes compared to many Colorado resort towns. Read my post about Property Tax incentives for seniors in Grand Junction.
Durango:
- More expensive, with median home prices often $500K–$600K+, driven by the fact that it’s considered a resort town.
- Limited space for expansion keeps housing inventory tight.
- Attracts wealthier second-home owners, which can inflate prices.

Outdoor Activities

Grand Junction:
- A beautiful gateway to the Colorado National Monument, the Grand Mesa, and the Book Cliffs (mountains surrounding the Grand Valley).
- Year-round golfing, biking, hiking, walking, river rafting and floating, plus quick access to world-class desert and alpine trails.
- The Grand Mesa offers fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling and plenty of resorts and rustic cabins and an alpine forest just 45 minutes away.
- Nearby Palisade wine country offers a quaint downtown, wine tours and fantastic farmers markets in summer.
- Fruita is just 10 minutes away and offers an abundance of trails for mountain biking, hiking and trail riding on your horse or ATV. (McInnis Canyons Conservation area is spectacular!)
- Close to Utah’s red rock country and more mountain biking, hiking and jeeping in Moab, just 90 minutes away. Read my Top Day Trips post.
- Grand Junction is a place where desert-meets-mountain. It’s about 4 hours to Denver or Salt Lake City, UT.
Animas River Durango area

Durango:
- Surrounded by the stunning San Juan Mountains—excellent for hiking, backpacking, and skiing.
- Purgatory Resort offers accessible skiing and snowboarding.
- More snow-based recreation, excellent for winter sports lovers.
- Summer activities like white water rafting, tubing, and kayaking on the Animas River.
- Home to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a scenic tourist ride!
- The closest major city to Durango, Colorado is Albuquerque, New Mexico, about a 3.5-hour drive south.

Lifestyle & Community

Grand Junction:
- Larger population (~65,000), with more healthcare options and shopping (REI, department stores and mall, Target, and three hospitals).
- A bit more urbanized, more infrastructure and services with a growing arts and food scene.
- Conservative-leaning politically, though varied across age groups.
- Less of a tourist hub, so a steadier year-round pace.
- Colorado Mesa University with ~10,000 students and community education classes for the community.
Durango:
- Smaller (~20,000), more intimate, and community oriented.
- More outdoorsy and liberal-leaning culture.
- Strong college-town vibe (Fort Lewis College up on the hill), with seasonal tourists.
- Tight-knit feel due to much lower population, with more second-home owners and seasonal residents.

Retirement Appeal

Grand Junction:
- Popular with those working and retirees due to affordable living, dry climate, and medical facilities (see healthcare below).
- More age-friendly services and communities (see Why Retire in GJ post that includes info about CMU courses for retirees at a reduced rate).
- Milder winters than Durango – less snow, more sun.
Durango:
- Beautiful place to live and retire if your budget allows living in a resort mountain town.
- Winters can be harsh for those not acclimated to snow and altitude (~6,500 ft).
- Higher cost of living can be a barrier.

Walkability

Grand Junction:
- The downtown core (beautiful pedestrian-friendly Main Street area) is walkable with restaurants, breweries, galleries, theater, and a variety of shops.
- Outside downtown, it’s more car-dependent, especially in North Grand Junction and newer developments along the outskirts.
- Mixed-use neighborhoods are growing.
- Public transit is available and bike lane/trail connections are numerous.
Durango:
- More walkable, especially in the historic downtown area.
- Strong pedestrian and bike culture with trails that connect many parts of the city.
- Smaller footprint makes walking feasible for more daily activities.

Mountain Biking Access

Grand Junction:
- One of the top desert mountain biking destinations in the country.
- Lunch Loops, Kokopelli Trail (Fruita to Moab, UT), and 18 Road in North Fruita are world-famous and very close. Plus, let’s not forget all the trails in McInnis Canyons Conservation Area and the newer Palisade Plunge from the top of the Grand Mesa!
- Trails range from beginner to technical desert singletrack.
- Easily accessible from town—many riders pedal to the trailheads from home in certain neighborhoods. Read my guest post from a local mountain biker.
- Year-round access and variety in the Grand Valley, some go up to the Mesa during the warmer summer months for a cooler climate for riding.
Durango:
- Also excellent, especially for alpine terrain lovers.
- Horse Gulch, Telegraph Trail System, and Colorado Trail are directly accessible from town.
- Terrain is steeper and more forested than Grand Junction.
- More high-altitude riding, which limits accessibility during snowy months.
- Biking is best in summer/fall months.

Airport Access

Sign near the GJT airport

Grand Junction:
- Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) is just 10–15 minutes from downtown GJ, Fruita or Palisade.
- Offers direct flights to Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles (Orange County) and San Francisco.
- Small but efficient regional airport—very convenient and reliable. Read about our GJT Airport Experience – no waiting at the curb!
Durango:
- Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO) is about 20 minutes from downtown.
- Also offers direct flights to major hubs like Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, and seasonal options.
- Slightly fewer flights and destinations than GJT, but still good. Snow may cause delays.

Healthcare Access

Grand Junction:
- Known for strong healthcare infrastructure for our size.
- Home to Family Health West in Fruita, Community Hospital, renowned St. Mary’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center (Level II trauma center) that serves communities within 2 hours of the Grand Valley, plus the Grand Junction VA Medical Center.
- Broad network of specialists and clinics—highly rated.
- The best healthcare hub between Denver and Salt Lake.
Durango:
- Primary provider is Mercy Regional Medical Center, a quality full-service hospital.
- Fewer specialist options locally, so more complex care may require travel to Grand Junction or Albuquerque, NM (3.5 hours away).
- Good for routine and emergency care, but limited depth in specialties.

Grand Junction vs Durango Comparison Chart

Factor	Grand Junction	Durango
Housing Costs	✅ More affordable, more inventory	❌ Higher real estate prices
Outdoor Activities	✅ Desert & alpine variety	✅ Mountain & snow-based fun
Lifestyle	✅ More urban conveniences	✅ Quaint, outdoorsy vibe
Retirement Appeal	✅ Budget-friendly, mild	❌ Costly but scenic
Walkability	✅ Very walkable downtown, bike lanes available	✅ Very walkable, compact downtown
Mountain Biking Access	✅ Year-round, world-class desert trails	✅ High-alpine trails, seasonal access
Airport Proximity	✅ More direct flights, easy access (GJT)	✅ Good airport, slightly fewer flights (DRO)
Healthcare Access	✅ Strong hospital system & specialists	❌ Fewer specialists, limited complex care

Final Thoughts

Choose Grand Junction vs living in Durango CO if you value overall affordability, accessibility to national parks, more housing options, year-round riding/golfing, and all the typical suburban amenities and small-town charm. I compared just a few topics. There’s more to learn about living in Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade, so keep reading!

The last time I was in Durango I noticed a lot of trucks, SUVs, campers and trailers going down the main road. Hardly anyone drives a sedan in Durango. I guess with more snowfall, everyone wants 4×4 or at least all-wheel drive, LOL!

Grand Junction is ideal if you are working in person or remotely, retired, semi-retired or consider yourself an active adult who wants a variety of terrain and opportunities with strong medical support. You want a place your friends, children, and grandchildren want to come visit because there’s so much to do! Read my post that explains how important this can be.

At Molas Pass just north of Durango

Call or text me at (612) 306-9558 if you are coming into town and want to connect with me. I’d be happy to show you around Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade to help you compare the Grand Valley to Durango, or buying a house in Colorado communities you may be considering.

If you have a topic you’d like me to write about, send me an email.

Experience the Grand Junction Lifestyle!

PAUL ASPELIN, your Grand Junction Relocation & Listing Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Licensed in Colorado – Serving Mesa County
Learn more about how I work with my clients

Live Your Vacation Every Day… Move to Grand Junction!

by Paul Aspelin, Relocation & Listing Expert

Day Trips, Local or Nearby Attractions

Day Trip from Grand Junction: Goblin Valley State Park Utah

Day Trip to Goblin Valley State Park Utah

Looking for more Day Trips from Grand Junction? Consider Goblin Valley State Park in Utah. It’s about 2.25 hours west of Grand Junction. I published a post called Day Trips from Grand Junction CO that has more ideas. You can read it next if you haven’t read it already. I’ll be posting more day trips in the future too!

We like taking day trips from Grand Junction and we did this one on a Saturday in May. It was about 85 degrees and sunny. A great time of the year to hike and be outdoors.

What to know about Goblin Valley State Park in Utah before you go

GETTING IN AND PARKING

The park is small, and it gets busy. They don’t offer official timed entry management, so you can’t reserve an entrance time in advance. We arrived on a Saturday at about 9:30am and waited in line behind 2-3 cars to get in. We went right to the Valley of the Goblins parking lot and there were about 5 spots left. The park entrance waiting line started to build by 10am and cars were told to wait. They would be let in after current visitors left. The line was long. We ran into a couple on a hike later. They waited in line for an hour before giving up and choosing a hike outside of the state park and come back later in the day.

PARKING PASS

They want you to get the pass online ahead of your visit to speed things up when you enter. When you do, the pass is good for that day and until 10pm the following day. We bought ours the night before we left. If you wait to do it online when you get to the area, you may not have internet service, we didn’t.

RESEARCH THE AREA

Since the park is relatively small, I recommend you research other attractions in the San Rafael Swell area before you go. There is a lot to see in this beautiful area of Utah. Goblin Valley State Park info.

Goblin Valley State Park Experience

We planned for just one day in this beautiful and unique area. Once we got the park map, we went straight to the Valley of the Goblins and parked there by the big pavilion. The parking lot overlooks the Goblins. We walked down several flights of stairs to get down and walk around among them. That was very cool. An open area to roam. After about 30 minutes of that, we headed out and stopped at the entrance because that’s where the Gift Shop is but it was closed. I think they were short staffed because the gift shop was open when we entered.

Little Wild Horse Canyon – Our first slot canyon experience

This hike was very impressive! According to All Trails map app, the loop trail is 8.1 miles through two canyons. We knew we couldn’t do the full 8 miles, it would be too much for us. So, we chose the Little Wild Horse Canyon side of the loop. It starts out wide then narrows, the smallest section was about 5 inches at the ground and about shoulder width at your shoulders. Sometimes we turned sideways to continue.

There were a few spots to “scramble” or climb over large rocks—nothing too strenuous for us beginners. It was our plan to stop and turn around when we reached the 6–8 ft “dryfall” because we didn’t feel we could climb back up once we went down. However, we ended up turning around earlier due to the crowd and difficulty passing people in such a narrow space. We went about 1.3 miles on the trail before turning back and thought it was fantastic for our first time in a slot canyon. The beauty was truly amazing. Keep in mind, this canyon can experience a flash flood if there has been rain upstream, so be aware.

Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon narrow bath between walls of rock

It got much narrower than this but we were so overwhelmed we didn’t take enough pictures. We were living in the moment!

Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel

Just off the side of the road we saw some of the largest prehistoric painted figures in Utah. The sign near the panel in the San Rafael Swell explains that the featured pictographs were created by early inhabitants during the Archaic Period (8000 to 2000 BC) and later by the Fremont culture (300 to 1300 AD). It’s amazing that they are still around for us to see! Pictographs are wall paintings done with pigments; petroglyphs are wall carvings, both are commonly called rock art. We are just learning the difference too!

After this, we pulled into one of the campgrounds nearby and had a picnic lunch under the shade of a tree. There are no services in the immediate area for food, so we packed a cooler with snacks for lunch.

Wild Horse Window

The last short hike was the Wild Horse Window. Technically it’s accessed from within Goblin Valley State Park boundaries, near the main entrance sign, but the trailhead was hard to find. Our GPS wasn’t working because we had no internet connection, but we finally found it after wandering back behind a camping area. I’m glad we persisted because it was amazing! We met a very nice couple from Denver who was just starting the hike when we were, so we hiked together. What a great time chatting and wayfinding with them on the trail. There were only two other couples in the 2 or so hours we were there!

Time to consult AllTrails

The AllTrails app says it’s 1.8 miles out-and-back but our trip was 2.3 miles. The app said it takes 51 minutes on average; it took us 1.5 hours. It was sandy, rocky or you were walking on slanted slickrock. Thankful for our supportive hiking books as it was rough on the ankles. It wasn’t technical, just had to watch your step. Hiking poles would have made it easier, but we don’t have those yet. Elevation gain was about 384 ft. Uphill there, downhill back. I was thankful there were many cairns to follow, especially over the slick rock because you didn’t have footprints to follow and couldn’t exactly tell where to go. Cairns (pronounced Karens) are stacks of rocks used for marking trails.

The end of the trail offered a spectacular view: two natural bridges formed by wind and erosion. One featured a hole at the top, probably about 50’ wide and 50’ tall, with moss growing in a few spots. More pictographs could be seen in the “cave,” and the cool shade was a welcome relief. After a snack, the scenery was fully absorbed before the hike back to the truck. Doing this hike second proved challenging, as the 2.3 miles felt much more strenuous than the first 2.6 miles in the slot canyon. Listed as “moderately challenging,” it certainly lived up to that rating.

Hiking back from Wild Horse Window Natural Bridge over slickrock following piles of rock to mark the trail

Hiking back from Wild Horse Window Natural Bridge over slickrock following piles of rock that marks the trail

One Final Stop for Dinner in Green River, Utah

After hiking in this beautiful San Rafael Reef area, the next city on our way back was Green River, so we stopped there for dinner. A lot of the restaurants and businesses in Green River are boarded up. They must be struggling as a small rural community. We found Tamarisk Restaurant overlooking the Green River. They have been in business since 1979, and I know why. The food and service were outstanding! We got there around 5-6pm, before the dinner rush. There were 20 people in the waiting area when we left. I highly recommend this place to eat. We didn’t find many other cafes or restaurants, but there was a sub shop. After a long day of hiking and being outdoors, we just wanted a cool place out of the sun to dine and relax a bit before the 90-minute drive home. We loved it.

I love that we can do Day Trips from Grand Junction like this. We left about 7:30am and were home about 8pm to sleep in our own bed. There are so many amazing places to see within 2 hours of Grand Junction, in all directions!

If you are considering living in Grand Junction, moving here from another state, please reach out to me. I’d be happy to show you around when you come to town to “check it out”.

Get notifications about new Move to Grand Junction posts and watch my short videos about Day Trips from Grand Junction on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

Picnic in campground under the shade of a tree

We ate a picnic lunch in a campground under the shade of a tree

Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction!

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Text or Call (612) 306-9558

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE

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

by Paul Aspelin, Relocation & Listing Expert

Grand Junction

Moving to the Redlands area of Grand Junction

Living in the Redlands area of Grand Junction

I have out-of-state clients who are considering Moving to the Redlands area of Grand Junction. So, I shared with them the many attributes about this region of Grand Junction. The way I see it, I figure more people moving to Grand Junction, Colorado might be interested in learning what I shared after listening to my clients list of “must-haves”.

When I have clients coming to Grand Junction from out of town, I like to meet in person and give them a tour. We usually only have a couple of hours because they are busy scouting out everything this fantastic community has to offer.

I tailor each tour to their interests, where they might be working, and which communities might make the most sense to buy a house. In my most recent client tour, we went to several locations, and I explained different features and benefits. We drove through the Monument, and he was mesmerized. We looked down on the Redlands from above and it made a strong impression. The views are spectacular!

Why not live at the base of the Monument? Moving to the Redlands area of Grand Junction seemed like the perfect fit, and for good reason, here’s why.

#1 Bike to Work

Downtown Grand Junction Sculpture

My client wanted to bike to work in downtown Grand Junction. No problem. Grand Junction is a bikeable community. There are trails that run along S. Camp Road and you can cross the Colorado River on Redlands Parkway or Broadway (Hwy 340).

#2 Access Bike Trails from Home

There are numerous trails that run through neighborhoods, along roads and into the Colorado National Monument. Plus, quick access to the very popular, vast network of trails in the Lunch Loops. And, continuing along Broadway can get you into the trails in Fruita in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and the Kokopelli Trail. More on Biking in Grand Junction.

#3 A Place with a View

Of course! You can’t help but get exceptional views from every window in your home when you live in the Redlands. Yes, there are many other neighborhoods in the Grand Valley with views, but there’s just something about being snugged up to the base of the Monument that can’t be beat. The sun sets just a little earlier, offering cooler temps earlier in the evening in the hot summer months.

After our tour, his heart was set on moving to the Redlands area in Grand Junction. Here are some more reasons to consider moving to the Redlands.

Looking for a golf course community

Redlands Mesa Golf Course as viewed from Redlands 360 neighborhood.

Even if you don’t golf, some people like living in a golf course community. Going to the Club House to meet friends for lunch, planned events, and camaraderie. There are two courses in this area, Redlands Mesa Golf Course and Tiara Rado, a public golf course. If you are a golfer, be sure to check out my post that showcases all of the golf courses in the area. And I know I’ve said this before, but it’s worth mentioning again, people golf year-round in Grand Junction, even during ski season!

Considering a New Custom Home?

I represented new construction buyers in the Redlands 360 Easter Hill neighborhood.

Starting on the east side near Monument Road and S. Camp Road, there are many defined neighborhoods with homesites available to build your custom home. As you move west along Broadway, the area gets a bit more rural with larger lots and more space to spread out. The Soaring Eagle neighborhood stands out here with a unique community space for neighborhood residents.

I will help guide you through the ins and outs of building a home here, specifically about the soil conditions and foundation building systems required. I mention this in my article called the Cons of Living in Grand Junction. How the lot price may not be really be the lot price.

I also have a post about how I helped clients build a new home in the Easter Hill neighborhood in the new Redlands 360 planned community. A very cool concept that will be under development for several years with spectacular views from this higher elevation within the Redlands.

Home Prices in the Redlands

As with the entire Grand Valley, homes come in all shapes and sizes, built in the early 1900’s to today. The Redlands Community Center, originally the Redlands Country Club, is a significant historical structure, dating back to 1921, and is listed on the Colorado Historical Society Register. So, yes, there are older homes in this area as well as pockets in the Redlands with homes built during the 60’s and 70’s with a certain style that appeals to many people.

Most likely, you will pay a premium to live in the Redlands area of Grand Junction. Whether you buy an existing home or build from scratch, this high-demand area can be more expensive, but oh so worth it!

There’s more to know about moving to the Redlands area in Grand Junction, so call me if you want to talk. And no, it’s not its own city, just an area, like North Grand Junction is just an area too. Fruita and Palisade are independent cities from Grand Junction.

And if you aren’t sure where you want to live exactly, read my post about Just Getting Here where I outline what it’s like to move to another state, I get it!

👉 You might also be interested to learn why so many people are moving to Grand Junction!

Call or Text me at (612) 306-9558 (locally based)

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

moving to the Redlands area in Grand Junction means you can walk this Monument Trail anytime, from your doorstep!

Hiking Monument Canyon trail

PAUL ASPELIN, Relocation & Listing Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE
Grand Junction Real Estate Expert

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

by Paul Aspelin, Relocation & Listing Expert

Local or Nearby Attractions

Things to do in Grand Junction: Dining & Drinks

New to town? Looking for some things to do in Grand Junction that include eating or drinking? I have compiled a list of some of our favorite places to go. For some, it’s outstanding food or drinks. For others, the views or the atmosphere stand out.

Take your pick and let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions for my wife and I to try, send me an email or call/text (612) 306-9558. We enjoy trying new places.

Get notifications about new posts and watch my short videos on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

Breakfast Options

Our favorite breakfast spot is Main Street Bagels in downtown Grand Junction. During summer they have the best Peach smoothies, yum! Their bagels are fresh, with more than just a cream cheese smear. You can get sandwiches, soup and salad here too. We eat here for breakfast or lunch and it’s a nice central place to meet up with people and clients.

If you are looking for a sit-down full breakfast service try Pufferbelly in Grand Junction near the historic Union Depot Train Station. Very good food, generous portions, wide selection and a popular place to go.

Distilleries

Highlands Distillery - things to do in Grand Junction

Highlands Distillery in NW Grand Junction

We have visited all three of the distilleries, Clark’s and Peach Street in Palisade and Highlands in Grand Junction. All are great places to stop anytime for a meal or appetizers. Relax and enjoy the views. Clark’s Distillery has great food and a wide selection of spirits – it overlooks the Colorado River! Peach Street Distillery is in downtown Palisade near other related establishments and offers some unique cocktails and delicious food. We take friends here a lot. Highlands is in North Grand Junction on a Lavender Farm. Peaceful with great outdoor seating under umbrellas hanging from the trees. Exceptional cocktails!

Breweries

We’ve dined at breweries, multiple times at Rockslide and Trail Life in downtown Grand Junction, and gone to several of the wineries for a glass or wine tastings. That is always a fun experience, especially when friends come to visit.

Wineries

Carlson Vineyards (for the wine) and Colterris (for the view) are a couple of our favorites. I recommend you investigate Palisade wineries by what type of wine the wineries offer before you go for a tasting. The first time we did a tasting we spontaneously stopped at one along our route. To start, we ordered their sampler only to find out that they primarily serve dry wine. Oops, we don’t like dry wine. After that, we went to a Meadery across the street after that to taste wine made from honey, that was very interesting. Bought some chocolate dessert wine! There are lots of great Colorado wineries to pick from!

Popular Local Restaurants

We try to go out to dinner on Friday nights, so we’ve been to a lot of restaurants for dinner. The Hot Tomato in Fruita is one of our favorites for pizza. Be prepared for a wait if you go during primetime. We recently tried Base Camp Provisions in Fruita too, that was wonderful. We ate outside in February! They have beer, wine and spirits. The Ale House in Grand Junction has a large menu and it is also a popular place. It’s near the CMU Campus on 12^th Street.

Palisade Pizza and PourHouse near I-70 in Palisade opened in early 2025. Their pizza is amazing, we love the BBQ Chicken Deluxe. Their dough comes from Italy. Very easily one of the top 3 places to go for pizza in the Grand Valley. And you get a wrist band to use on the “tap wall” that includes wine, ciders, cocktails, and brews so you can pour yourself a small amount or mix if you want to. It was fantastic. We went back a week later with our daughter and son-in-law. It’s new, so they are still finalizing some things. They have an adjacent boutique and wine shop with wines from several wineries in the area. Follow them on Facebook – they make great posts!

The “tap wall” of wine, beer, cider and cocktails at Palisade Pizza and PourHouse

More Common Restaurants

The Grand Valley has its fair share of chain restaurants too if you are looking for something familiar. In Grand Junction, we just got a Panda Express, and a new place called The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, delicious! Try the Greek soup called, Avgolemono. It’s chicken, rice, and lemon juice, so delicious, better than chicken noodle soup! We’ve eaten at several Thai and Asian restaurants, a few Indian ones, and of course Mexican food is everywhere and always so fresh.

For fast fresh Mexican we like Costa Vida and Café Rio near the GJ Mall. For authentic Mexican and the best house Margarita I’ve had in a long time, go to Fidel’s in Palisade. You might want to make a reservation for peak times. The best place for an affordable steak is in Loma at the Cattlemen’s Bar and Grill. They have a fresh salad bar too! Nothing like a good bar and grill in Grand Junction CO!

Food Trucks

Farmers Markets during the summer have a variety of food trucks to try as well as fresh produce to make your own meal. Grand Junction’s Farmers Market is on Thursday evenings on Main Street. Fruita is Saturday mornings downtown and Palisade’s is downtown on Sunday mornings.

The Lowell School off 7^th Street in Grand Junction has “Grand Valley Food Truck Fridays” which is a convenient way to experience a variety of food and beverages. There are food trucks in other places around town too. It’s nice to support the local restaurants and restaurateurs.

The Business Incubator Center near the Colorado River in Grand Junction offers entrepreneurs a commercial kitchen to prepare their food for the food trucks and other endeavors. A great resource for anyone starting a business. Their mission is to support the launch, growth, stabilization, and long-term success of business enterprises in Mesa County and the surrounding region. Business Incubator Center.

Local Markets, Snacks and Picnic Food

I like Fisher’s Market in Grand Junction for picnic food. Excellent smoked fish, huge variety of cheeses, meats, and lots of crackers and jarred treasures. They have a deli to buy meat and seafood for the grill and delicious ready to go salads too. Skip’s Farm to Market on Aspen Ave in downtown Fruita offers more local food options than a traditional grocery store. We haven’t been yet, but I think the Hog and Hen in downtown GJ will be another great place to buy snacks and lunch.

If you go on a road trip, or even just a day trip, always bring plenty of snacks and water. Sometimes you don’t know where your next opportunity for food will be. We have come to appreciate having a roadside picnic with our own food in a scenic location, at a time when we are ready to eat. It’s peaceful. Sometimes we shop at Sprouts Farmers Market in Grand Junction near 25 Road and the Business Loop for a variety of healthier snack and drink options for our road trips. They have an incredible bulk section, great for trying something new. Bring your own container for bulk food if you’d like.

Learn More

If you are new to the area and haven’t spent much time at 4600+ ft elevation or higher, be sure to read my post about How to Avoid Altitude Sickness. And if you are road tripping to GJ from Denver, read my post about what it’s really like to drive I-70! Looking for adventure? Read my Top Day Trips from Grand Junction post.

If you are coming for a visit to the Grand Valley area, give me a call. I’d love to fill you in on our local real estate if you are considering moving to Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade or anywhere in Mesa County. Find out why people are flocking to Grand Junction.

Paul Aspelin at Palisade Pizza PourHouse

Live Your Vacation Everyday when you Move to Grand Junction!

Text or Call (612) 306-9558

PAUL ASPELIN, REALTOR®
GRI, SRES®, CNE

Grand Valley Relocation & Listing Expert
Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email.
Learn more about my experience and how I serve my clients

by Paul Aspelin, Relocation & Listing Expert

More to Know, Property Taxes and Land Ownership

Grand Junction Water Supply

If you are moving here from another state, you may be wondering about the Grand Junction Water Supply. First, where does Grand Junction get its drinking water? Second, does it taste good? Third, does the city supply water for irrigation? And finally, do homeowners have their own wells?

We have learned a lot living here and I am happy to share our knowledge and experience with you. If you are considering moving to Grand Junction, call me before you come for a visit!

Grand Mesa Overlook near the Grand Mesa Visitor Center

Grand Mesa overlook along Hwy 65 just past Powderhorn Ski Resort

Where Does Grand Junction Get Its Drinking Water?

Let’s start with the most popular question I get. Where does our water come from? We are lucky. We are the first ones to use the fresh snowmelt from the Grand Mesa as our drinking water. It’s stored in over 19 reservoirs on top of the Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain in the world just 45 minutes east of here. It comes into Orchard Mesa to be treated and disbursed into our homes. Grand Junction provides water that exceeds the minimum standards for municipal drinking water.

In 2023, Grand Junction entered a drinking water taste test in Toronto, Canada. A city in Canada won first place, but Grand Junction won second place! Essentially saying we provide the best drinking water in the United States! Please thank Randi Kim, the utilities director for the City of Grand Junction for this!

Here’s a link to the American Water Works Association’s Best of the Best Water Taste Test Competition article with details. Awarded Best in the United States.

Grand Junction Water Supply starts here. Carson Lake view from standing on the dam

Carson Lake view from standing on the dam – Grand Junction Water supply starts here.

We have been to Carson Lake on the Grand Mesa which is at the head of the Kannah Creek Basin in the Grand Mesa National Forest. There were signs in the parking lot warning not to use motorized boats on the lake as it’s used to provide drinking water for the surrounding area. It’s beautiful. You can walk across the dam, there are trails nearby and we saw several groups fishing from the shore.

Does Grand Junction’s Water Taste Good?

YES! Every time we go to a restaurant, we order water. We drink it and it’s delicious. I can’t say that for other places we’ve visited. Sometimes their local water is so bad we need to order a pop or lemonade instead. If you currently use a home water filtration system where you live now, you probably won’t need one if you move to the Grand Valley. Try it for yourself and you’ll understand what I mean. We are thankful for our Grand Junction water supply from the Grand Mesa!

Living in Minnesota most of our water came from underground. The city built wells to access it. We got our water from our local city, and we drank it and used it to water our yard. We even had to add our own water softener because the water was “hard” and unpleasant to drink. In addition to that, we also added a Culligan water filtration system. Not here!

Where Does Irrigation Water Come From?

Canal along Patterson Road near 12th Street

This system was new to me. Ag water or irrigation water is different from drinking water.

If you have visited, you may have seen canals running through town and in rural areas. They look like concrete ditches. Simply put, water is diverted from the Colorado River near Palisade. It flows through an extensive canal system serving the whole Grand Valley. Water that we don’t use for irrigation is returned to the Colorado River to serve more communities downriver. Most people encourage water conservation. We have been in a drought for several years.

There are six irrigation districts that serve the Grand Valley. Below you can see a map from the Mesa County Irrigation District’s website. The City of Grand Junction has a lot of information about water on their website including water supply, treatment, and distribution.

I had a client who lived on the Grand Mesa just outside the town of Mesa and they drove to Palisade to fill their water tank (strapped inside the bed of their pickup truck) to bring water back to their property. The city’s website includes information on filling stations for those in rural areas who do not have water brought to their property.

Property Water Rights

If you buy a property here, you may have water rights or water shares. You can buy a small amount of water or more, depending on your needs. Many homeowner associations manage the irrigation water access for their neighborhood.

The Grand Valley Irrigation Company explains it very well on their website for the landowners they serve.

The Grand Valley Irrigation Company serves a variety of land-types, including farms, farmettes, subdivisions, residences, and municipal properties. We have 48,000 shares of capitol stock held by over 3,000 shareholders. Each share of water gives the owner the right to approximately 4.6 gallons per minute. Let me explain though, this is not a storage right, meaning that the water right does not accumulate and store up when it is not being used. It is a direct flow right, meaning that 4.6 gallons per minute can be drawn at any particular time to be put to beneficial use.

GVIC levies an assessment, or bill, annually on all shareholders. The first share owned by every account is designated as an A share. Therefore, each account has only a single A share. Any additional shares owned are categorized as B shares. So that means there is no difference between an A or B share with regard to the water right that is granted. Both types of shares entitle you to 4.6 gallons per minute. Rather, an A share is assessed, or billed, annually at a higher rate than a B share.

For example, for the 2025 irrigation season, an A share was assessed at $342.64 and a B share was assessed at $16.39.

Therefore, if you owned 5 shares the annual assessment would be calculated as follows: $342.64 + ($16.39 x 4) = $408.20. Your annual water assessment is sent out in early January and payment is due in full by April 1.

Grand Junction Water Conservation

We are standing on the Grand Mesa looking down into the Kannah Creek watershed, you can see Land’s End curvy gravel road that’s closed in winter!

If I kept going, I could write another 1,000 words about water conservation in the Grand Valley and Colorado in general. The city and county have conservation initiatives. There are many local, regional, and state nonprofit organizations, districts and institutions who help preserve this precious natural resource.

As a Colorado resident, we try to conserve water. We know that the water from the Colorado River flows southwest to serve Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California residents with water too.

In closing, we are thankful our Grand Junction water supply for drinking water comes from Kannah Creek and the Grand Mesa. When you are here, consider a visit to Carson Lake. It’s sort of near the Land’s End Observatory, an outstanding overlook of the entire Grand Valley, best experienced at sunset! I mention it in my post called What It’s Link to Live on the Grand Mesa.

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

Text or 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, Relocation & Listing Expert

More to Know

Grand Junction Internet Providers

Grand Junction internet providers include high speed internet, broadband and fiber optic, depending on where you live. It is already live in several sections of the community with more under construction. Fruita has high speed internet and Palisade has high speed internet – for the vast majority of homes in those cities. How do you know which Grand Junction internet providers serve your property? Here’s a way to find out if you can get fiber optic internet.

Clear Networx offers “Speeds Up-to 1Gps – No Contracts”. Fiber Optic is fantastic technology. Be sure to read about how it’s different than cable internet speeds.

Go to this website, https://clearnetworx.com.

Hover over the Residential tab and you can see the list of communities like Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, Ridgway, Durango and more.

Once you choose a city, look for the bar at the top and click on the Construction Map to see where fiber optic is available from Clear Networx. For example, here’s what they look like as of 3/25/25.

Fiber Optic Internet Map for Fruita

Click map for link to Fruita Map online

Palisade Fiber Optic Internet Service Map

Click Palisade Map for link to map online

Grand Junction Fiber Optic Internet Service Map as of 3/25/25

You can click on the map and zoom in to street level.

Click on the map for the online map

If you search Google for who provides internet services in Grand Junction you will see more providers to consider like CenturyLink. Quantum Fiber and Rise Broadband may be an option, but they aren’t available where we live in Grand Junction. Starlink Residential is another option for satellite services anywhere in Colorado. Starlink Mini is a compact, portable kit that can easily fit in a backpack, designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet on the go. Bring it camping!

Cellular Internet Service in Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade

Aside from fiber optic, the Grand Valley and Grand Junction internet services are offered by cellular providers as well.

See if your cell phone service provider offers Home Internet Services from cell towers. That’s what we use from T-Mobile. One device gets plugged in and placed in a window facing toward the cell tower in Grand Junction. For the two of us, with Michelle working from home full-time and me occasionally, this meets our needs for about $50 a month. We can easily watch streaming services, and we have an antenna to help get more local channels. If you have a large property, you can look into Wi-Fi extenders for more coverage at your location. T-Mobile Home Internet Service

When we first moved here, we brought our T-Mobile gateway device from Minnesota, plugged it in, and had an instant internet connection. We later upgraded our device when the service “officially” became available in Grand Junction.

Verizon Home Internet Service isn’t available in Grand Junction as of this writing. I checked their website 3/25/25. You can sign up to get notified when it is available.

AT&T offers a service called Internet Air for strong Wi-Fi coverage, check their site for availability and rates.

If your Grand Junction internet service provider of choice is cable internet, Spectrum is your go-to. Don’t worry, they will mail you postcards practically every week once you move in with special offers and sign-up incentives. Visit their website for current coverage and speed options. You can enter an address on their website to determine if service is available. https://official.spectrum.com/sem/internet

Digital Nomads in Fruita, Palisade or Grand Junction

If you are a Digital Nomad investigating living in Fruita, Palisade or Grand Junction you will be happy to know that each community offers several co-working spaces in addition to high-speed internet for your home base.

Here’s a link to a great article the City of Fruita put out called Digital Nomad’s Guide to Fruita. It has many great resources for remote workers in Fruita.

https://gofruita.com/the-digital-nomads-guide-to-fruita

Grand Junction has seen a surge in remote workers, drawn by the potential for a lower cost of living and access to outdoor activities. The entire Grand Valley welcomes and supports remote workers, also known as location independent.

GJEP, the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, has offered a special “Welcome Wagon” Program in the past, specifically for remote workers. We have experienced a tech and remote worker boom. GJEP is a huge resource for work and community in the Grand Valley.

Colorado Ranked #1 in Work from Home – read more on the GJEP website.

As you search the internet for Internet Services in Grand Junction, Palisade and Fruita, just know that there are a lot of options in this growing community for your home or business. We are a bit more rural than Denver or Salt Lake City, but we have fast internet you can count on! If you’d like to learn more about the area and our experience with local internet services, give me a call.

Let me help you… Move to Grand Junction!

We’ve been waiting for you!

Text or Call (612)306-9558 (locally based)

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, Relocation & Listing Expert

Local or Nearby Attractions

Things to Do in Grand Junction CO: Easy Hikes

We could come up with a list of a hundred things to do in Grand Junction CO. Would a long list of reasons convince you to move to Grand Junction? Possibly. But we like to write about our own personal experiences while living in Grand Junction to provide you with a deeper perspective.

When the weekend comes, what do you want to do? I’ll share some of our favorite places. Of course, there are more things to do in Grand Junction CO, so read Paul’s posts for ideas. I put some links at the bottom of this post.

You can go on a scenic drive any day of the week for as long or short as you want. You can be warm in the valley yet ski up on the Grand Mesa. When exploring a new area, we love going for a short drive after dinner to see what we can discover.

I like to get books from the Mesa County Libraries or buy them from the Friends of the Mesa County Libraries book sales. A lot of what we do in Grand Junction is because I read about it in a book and wanted to see it in person. I also follow a lot of local businesses tourism pages on Facebook and I see what events they are promoting.

Paul posts short videos and notifications of new website posts on our Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

Walk Around Town

Because of a Facebook post, one weekend we went to The Milky Way in Palisade. They had a birthday promotion of 50% off and we had never been. Great food and drink, cute place with small indoor seating and more outdoor seating in the backyard. We ran into a friend while there! After that, we walked around town and went into local shops, art galleries, and the Palisade Library. We cruised through books for purchase (building in the back of the library) and ended up checking out a few books from the library.

See my post about our Divide Road and Unaweep Canyon Experience. A special overlook I learned about by reading a book from the library!

During the summer we go to Palisade every Sunday for the fabulous farmer’s market. (Fruita and Grand Junction have farmers markets too.) Since it’s winter now, we’ve been missing it! When we go to Palisade, we always take the Scenic Fruit & Wine Byway as we make our way home. Sometimes stopping at a winery, distillery, or the pie shop for a slice of pie or ice cream.

The same goes for walking around downtown Fruita or Grand Junction. Always a fun activity with things to see, places to shop, and great food and beverages. We bought a sign about adventures to hang on our wall from a local shop in downtown GJ while we were waiting to be seated at a local restaurant next door.

Hiking for Beginners

Before we moved here, friends of ours in Minnesota gave us a book called Best Easy Day Hikes in Grand Junction and Fruita by Bill Haggerty, a Falcon Guide®. It has been very useful. If you are new to hiking, I highly recommend it. These easy/short hikes can be done in a morning or afternoon, or pack a picnic lunch and make it an all-day activity.

We are working our way through the list of short hikes in the book. Here are the ones we’ve done so far. We have enjoyed all of them for different reasons. I recommend you get the book for full details. We’ve done other great hikes too, like the Palisade Rim Trail and Miracle Rock in Glade Park to name a few.

Mica Mine (BLM Bangs Canyon) – The trail is at the bottom of the canyon, so it’s cooler here in the summer. You cross the riverbed sometimes, so be aware it may have water in it. It was very low when we were there. Mica is a shiny, flaky mineral.
Dominguez Canyon hike Gunnison River

Dominguez Canyon (BLM Dominguez Canyon Wilderness) – This is south of Grand Junction near Whitewater off Hwy 50. A great drive and hike. We saw some old cow cabins and dipped our toes in the Gunnison River.
Devils Kitchen (Colorado National Monument) – This hike prompted me to get the All Trails app on my phone because it wasn’t very well marked towards the end. Everyone says, “Stay on the trail.” but how do you do that when it’s not marked? The hike was great, steep at the end but we went inside the “devil’s kitchen” area. Not sure if that was ok, but others were there too. We saw a big horn sheep on that hike.
Monument Canyon (Colorado National Monument) – We’ve done the first part of this one a couple of times. It’s a 5-mile loop. You are likely to see bighorn sheep here, especially nearing dusk. It’s a steep trail but there are steps. Amazing views of the canyon and Independence Monument.
Dinosaur Bones near Fruita

Dinosaur Hill (near CNM entrance in Fruita) – It’s good to learn about the history of the area, dinosaurs include. This was good, no bones to see, just informative signs.
Fruita Paleontological Area (McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area) – We saw dinosaur bones here, a great hike with many more trails in this area, like to an old cabin. Seeing the cabin is still on our list. There are lots of bones to see in nature in Moab too.
Trail Through Time (BLM Rabbit Valley) – It was very windy the day we went but still great to see actual dinosaur bones “in the wild” still stuck in the rock. There’s a cool campground up high that overlooks Rabbit Valley, and you can see all the way to the La Sal Mountains in Utah. This trail is near the Utah border.
Coal Canyon Trail (BLM Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range) – We drove this one during the time of year when driving is allowed. We didn’t get out and hike. This is where you can see wild horses. It was cool to see ribbons of coal in the rock as we drove by. The wall with coal is so close you can touch it as you slowly drive by. The gates into Coal Canyon Road are closed to vehicles from December 1 through May 31 during the foaling season and for wildlife protection.
Mesa Lakes Lodge Lake Loop

Mesa Lakes Area Trails (Grand Mesa National Forest) – We have done this a few times with friends and visitors. Trails go through the woods and around small lakes. Mesa Lakes Lodge is there, that’s where we park and get some appetizers inside when we are done. We went snowshoeing here in the winter. You can ice fish too. Bring bug spray in the summer months.
Colorado Riverfront Trail (Colorado River) – This is one of our favorite walks. We usually park in Las Colonias near the bridge and Camp Eddy campground. We had family stay at Camp Eddy for a month, two thumbs up! We cross the Colorado River or just walk down the trail towards the boat launch, beach, and lazy river. The zipline is here too that goes over the river. This trail can take you all the way to Palisade or Fruita too! Good for walking or biking.

If you’d like to live near trails like this, Get Started!

To wrap it up, there are a lot of great things to do in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade and the surrounding communities. These are just a few. You can read a post about each city to learn more. You might enjoy Paul’s post about which water bottles we have, why we chose them, and where to get them locally.

If you are considering a trip to the Grand Valley and maybe moving here, Paul would like to show you around the area and maybe schedule a few properties to show you in person while you are here. Connect with Paul.

Other posts you might enjoy as you find things to do in the Grand Valley.

Two-Day Itinerary in Grand Junction, Why Move to Grand Junction

Golf Courses in Grand Junction

Why Move to Fruita

Why Move to Palisade

Guest post written by Michelle Aspelin

by Michelle Aspelin