Good morning, Grand Junction.

Local chefs turned Girl Scout cookies into creative savory dishes at a Mesa County fundraiser Friday, with proceeds supporting the scouts' year-long cookie sales; organizers praised the challenge plus noted strong community involvement.

Local chefs turned Girl Scout cookies into savory dishes at the third Give a Chef a Cookie fundraiser on Friday in Mesa County + ticket sales and sponsorships supported Girl Scouts of Colorado.

Mesa County Animal Services is seeking to adopt out Kirby (a one-year-old Australian cattle dog who knows several commands) from its Whitewater facility near the Mesa County Landfill.

Kevin Bozarth said Kirby is shy at first but warms up to people, and those with other pets should schedule an introduction at the shelter.

Xcel Energy’s Colorado subsidiary posted a $903 million operating profit in 2025 despite lower energy sales and is now seeking a $365 million increase in electricity rates + $190 million for natural gas bills; the rate cases are pending before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

Construction is underway at The ARTery, a 5,700 sqft creative hub at 539 Colorado Ave that began after a private groundbreaking in November and will offer dedicated studios, flexible classroom space and shared work areas for local artists & community groups; completion is expected this summer.

High school students from the Western Slope, including qualifiers from Grand Junction, competed at Colorado Mesa University in February & earned spots for the FBLA State Competition in Denver, scheduled from April 2 to 4.

After last year's large fires near Gateway and Meeker, the U.S. Forest Service and BLM are starting extended recovery efforts — including aerial seeding, erosion control, and revised grazing plans — to stabilize burned lands.

The measures aim to support safe restoration and future land use.

The Regional Transportation Planning Office has launched an interactive dashboard that shows crash data from 2018 to 2024 in Mesa County.

The user-friendly map lets residents filter collisions on I-70 and other roads and will be updated annually (to help local officials spot trends).

Community Hospital is expanding its surgical and sterile processing departments by adding two new operating rooms and 12,400 sqft, with a groundbreaking scheduled Monday and construction expected to last 11 months before new spaces open in February 2027 (boosting local job opportunities).

Since 2023, the city has expanded its accessory dwelling unit production by 130% through new workshops and a production program aimed at easing the building process for homeowners.

With $450,000 in combined funding and increasing ADU applications in 2026, the city will host its first ADU workshop on March 12.

The River City Sportsplex is hosting a girls-only try hockey for free event today in Grand Junction, where female coaches and 19U players help newcomers learn the basics.

Attendees are urged to register and bring personal gear since free equipment is limited.

On Friday night at Grand Junction High School, the Tigers beat Discovery Canyon 68-36 in the state playoffs with a 16-2 second quarter run.

They advance to the Sweet 16 to host No. 18 Golden on Tuesday (coach Dutch Johnson in his third year credits the team’s strong play).

2026 Home Improvement and Remodeling Expo

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Grand Junction Convention Center — Admission details not specified — Explore the latest trends and tips for transforming your home.

Crêpe Girl Concert

7-11 p.m. — Mesa Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience the indie pop sounds of crêpe girl with hits like 'RACING 2 U'.

Almost St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl

4:30-9 p.m. — The Feisty Pint — 25% off early bird tickets — Celebrate St. Patrick's Day a bit early with games, prizes, and festive fun in Downtown Grand Junction.

The Princess Bride Screening

3–5 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Check event page for ticket info — Experience the beloved fantasy-adventure film The Princess Bride with themed cocktails and memorable quote cards.

Tai Chi Practice

8:45 a.m. — Lincoln Park barn — $8 drop-in or $60 for ten punches — Experience the tranquility of Tai Chi, a gentle form of moving meditation that enhances strength and balance.

Boots & Badges 90's Country Party

7-10 p.m. — Warehouse25sixty-five Kitchen + Bar — Cost details not provided — Celebrate the 90's country music era with a lively party atmosphere.