Government

Government

Western Slope Civic Wrap-Up: High-Stakes Blueprints and New Leadership (Apr 19-25)

Civic Wrap-Up for April 25: Montrose seats a new Mayor and funds $240k in sidewalk repairs. District 51 rejects two charter schools over safety concerns and sets a 90% performance goal. Plus: Grand Junction’s 4,700-unit housing deficit and Garfield County’s airport and broadband expansion.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Government

The Week Ahead: Western Slope Civic Dashboard (April 27 to May 3)

Civic Dashboard for April 27: Join the Mesa County Commissioners in De Beque for a joint Town Hall, track the GJ Planning Commission's development reviews, and join Councilmember Lutz at the Community Food Bank. Plus: Updates on the Land Development Code and tiny home regulations.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Government

2026 Spring Irrigation and Water Supply Report

Western Slope Water Report: 2026 irrigation has started with record low snowpack and 80 percent supply limits. Check GVWUA restrictions and GVIC startup dates for Mesa and Garfield counties. Plus: Earth Week events and drought conservation tips for homeowners.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Montrose

Montrose Spring Cleanup Set for April 24–25 with New Free Mulch Program

Montrose’s Spring Cleanup returns April 24–25 with free drop-off for large items, recycling, and donations. New this year, green waste will be composted on-site and turned into free mulch available April 30 through May 14 at the same location.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction Road Closures & Traffic Impacts: Week of March 30

Road closures and lane reductions are impacting travel across Grand Junction April 1–8, including major work on 25 Rd., D 1/2 Rd., and I-70B. Here’s a quick guide to detours, delays, and what to expect before you head out.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 1 min read

Montrose

Montrose Breaks Ground on $30 Million Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade

The City of Montrose has begun a $30 million upgrade to its wastewater treatment plant, replacing aging systems and preparing for stricter state nutrient regulations. Construction started this month and will continue through fall 2027 while the facility remains fully operational.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Montrose

Montrose Invites Community Input on Sculpture for New Oak Grove Roundabout

The City of Montrose is asking residents to help shape a new roundabout sculpture planned for East Oak Grove Road and Rio Grande Avenue. A community survey is open through April 5 to gather ideas on the theme, style, and colors of the future public art installation.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Government

Infrastructure Projects and Street Improvements Underway Across Grand Junction

Multiple road and infrastructure projects are underway in Grand Junction, including Crosby Avenue reconstruction, safe-routes-to-school improvements, and neighborhood street repairs.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 1 min read

Government

Housing and Development Activity Continues Across Grand Junction

Housing development, tenant education workshops, and community discussions are shaping how Grand Junction and Mesa County respond to growing concerns about affordability and housing availability.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction Crosby Avenue Reconstruction Project to Begin in April

Grand Junction will begin reconstruction of Crosby Avenue in April after City Council approved the project March 4. Improvements include bike lanes, a separated shared-use path, upgraded lighting, and better connections to the Riverfront Trail and nearby neighborhoods.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 1 min read

Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs Council Confronts Immigration Concerns While Advancing Housing and Infrastructure Plans

Glenwood Springs City Council heard concerns about a reported immigration detention facility and surveillance technology while approving housing assistance grants, advancing the Southbridge transportation project, and directing speed camera revenue toward safety programs.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read

Montrose

Montrose City Council Advances Homeless Shelter Rules, Wildfire Code at March 3 Meeting

Montrose City Council approved new wildfire resiliency standards, began establishing regulations for unhoused shelters, and advanced infrastructure spending during its March 3 meeting. Council also approved housing development at Brown Ranch and several legal updates to city code.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 4 min read

Government

Colorado constitutional debates foreshadowed a populist backlash against Gilded Age railroad barons

by Chase Woodruff, Colorado Newsline March 6, 2026 Pueblo’s grand celebration of the arrival of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway began promptly at dawn on March 7, 1876, with a 38-gun salute from an artillery piece loaned from Fort Lyon — “37 for the states admitted, and one

By Colorado Newsline • 6 min read

Grand Junction

Road Closures and Lane Reductions Planned Across Grand Junction for Week of March 9

Several road closures and lane reductions will affect Grand Junction drivers the week of March 9, including closures on 25 Road, D ½ Road, and downtown streets tied to the I-70 Business Loop project. Drivers should plan ahead and expect detours.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 1 min read

Government

Montrose Sets Course for 2026 With Major Infrastructure, Housing, and Public Safety Investments

Montrose leaders are advancing a $168.9 million 2026 budget focused on infrastructure upgrades, housing expansion, a new Public Works facility, wastewater plant improvements, and police staffing goals as the city manages continued growth.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Grand Junction

Road Closures and Lane Reductions Planned Across Grand Junction: March 2–8

Drivers in Grand Junction should plan for multiple road closures and lane reductions during the week of March 2 as city and state construction projects continue across key corridors. Here’s what to expect. Four Canyons Parkway Project Full Closure: 25 Road will be closed from F ½ Road to Waite

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 1 min read

Government

Leading Colorado governor candidates spar over best affordable housing approach

At a Denver forum, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser agreed Colorado must accelerate housing construction, but clashed on how to deliver results. Both backed faster permitting and more starter homes, while debating renter protections and local compliance.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 6 min read

Government

Montrose County Invites Students to Design “I Voted” Stickers for 2026 Elections

Montrose County is inviting students in grades 3 through 12 to design official “I Voted” stickers for the 2026 primary and general elections. Winning artwork will be printed and distributed at polling centers, encouraging youth creativity and civic engagement.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Mesa County

Mesa County Public Health Reports Strong 2025 Impact in Disease Prevention, Emergency Response, and Family Services

Mesa County Public Health responded to measles cases, expanded naloxone access, supported 3,200 WIC families, and strengthened emergency preparedness in 2025. New data highlights the impact of prevention, disease control, and family services across the Western Slope.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Grand Junction

Grand Junction to Launch Single-Stream Recycling as Part of Major Regional Upgrade

Grand Junction will transition 3,800 residents to single-stream recycling starting in March 2026, ahead of a new regional Materials Recovery Facility set to open in late 2026. The move simplifies recycling and supports expanded Western Slope processing capacity.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Government

Traffic Alert: Lane Closures and Road Work Across Grand Junction Week of Feb 23

Drivers across Grand Junction should plan for multiple construction impacts in the coming days, including full closures, lane reductions, and flagger-controlled traffic. Here’s what to expect: 🚧 Four Canyons Parkway Project 25 Road Closure 25 Rd. is closed between F ½ Rd. and Waite Ave. A temporary roadway is in place.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 1 min read

Government

Juniata Reservoir to Be Drained for Dam Repairs; Public Fish Salvage Expands Fishing Access

Juniata Reservoir will be fully drained for multi-year dam repairs after a leak was discovered during inspection. A public fish salvage begins Feb. 23, with bag limits lifted and expanded fishing access. Repairs are expected to wrap in late 2027, with refilling starting in 2028.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 2 min read

Government

Colorado Democrats propose tax tweaks to help working families amid federal policy fallout

Colorado Democrats are proposing tax changes to shield working families from the fallout of recent federal policy shifts. The plan would fund a new family affordability credit by limiting certain corporate tax breaks and modernizing parts of the state tax code.

By Colorado Newsline • 3 min read

Government

54 Colorado Organizations Urge Lawmakers to Hold Big Tech Accountable for Data Center Impacts

A coalition of 54 Colorado organizations is urging state lawmakers to adopt guardrails on large data centers, warning of rising electric bills, water strain, and long-term tax impacts if Big Tech expansion continues without stronger consumer and environmental protections.

By Western Slope Trellis Staff • 3 min read