Good morning, Grand Junction.

Western State Classic Draft Horse Show kicked off Friday at 6 p.m. at Mesa County Fairgrounds in Grand Junction with ten teams showcasing elite draft horses.

Events continue today at 1 p.m. and on Sunday, featuring flashy hitches and detailed grooming (including local team Clark’s Family Orchards).

Today, area students earned academic honors on President’s, Dean’s, and Honor’s Lists during their Spring semester, with students from Grand Junction and nearby areas recognized by colleges including Utah Tech, Southern New Hampshire, and MidAmerica Nazarene (notably for academic excellence).

Over 1,400 Colorado Mesa University students are stepping into the job market this weekend with more than 1,500 degrees as local employers sign up graduates and career centers offer resume workshops and interview prep in Grand Junction.

The Boettcher Foundation announced 50 full-ride scholarships for local high school seniors this month, awarding $20,000 per year for students to attend any four-year university in Colorado (three Mesa County Valley School District 51 students in Grand Junction are among the recipients).

Over 300 emergency responders will attend the first-ever Colorado Wildland Fire and Incident Management Academy in Grand Junction from June 1-5 at Colorado Mesa University (offering courses, exercises and simulations in wildfire response) as the Upper Arkansas Valley Wildfire Foundation partners with local and state agencies for interagency training.

The City of Grand Junction is fixing a wavy section of concrete trail along Redlands Parkway near Blue Heron Boatramp in response to user feedback, and the work will be done by the end of May (the city will auction off its concrete laydown machine after completing the project).

Colorado placed #31 for youth mental health among 51 states based on data for teens ages 12-17 reported by Mental Health America.

LifeStance Health urges parents to seek early screening when symptoms like irritability appear and to consult a pediatrician for specialized care.

Thunder Mountain Shooters hosted the Wild Bunch Championship earlier today and will hold the Cowboy Championship today at the William Jarvis Shooting Complex in Whitewater.

About 120 shooters compete over three days, the club’s first time hosting since 2016, and admission is free & food trucks are available.

Colorado Mesa won 15-9 over 22nd-ranked St. Mary's Friday at The Diamond at Hamilton Ballpark+ putting them one win away from the NCAA Division II South Central Regional title in a best-of-three series.

They face the Rattlers at 3 p.m. today.

Denver's NFL team released its 2026 schedule including primetime games (Black Friday and Christmas Day broadcasts) and key matchups against the Jaguars, Bills and Patriots.

The schedule features a home opener and midseason bye, setting up a challenging season for the Broncos.

Central's Sage Siegrist, state champion in last year's 800, finished fourth at state with a time of 2:11.96 today at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood.

North Fork's Braeden Flores earned relief by winning a 4x200 relay gold after a forfeit, while a Grand Junction relay team placed fifth.

Turnpike Troubadours Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park — $45.50 - $145.50 + fees — Experience a vibrant evening with the acclaimed country-rock band delivering their latest music.

Coloradoscape with Natives Conference

8 AM – 5 PM — University Center, Grand Junction, CO — $65-$100 — Explore native plant horticulture and conservation with expert speakers and optional plant walks.

Native Plant Class: Grasses

8 a.m. - 12 p.m. — Lunch Loop Trailhead — Fee may apply — Explore the native and invasive grasses of Western Colorado in this informative field-based class.

2026 State Summer Games Presented by Spectrum

June 5-7 — Colorado Mesa University — Check website for possible entry fees — Celebrate athleticism and community spirit with a weekend of Special Olympics competitions.

Roswell Invaders vs Grand Junction

6:30-10:00 p.m. — Suplizio Field — Ticket prices vary — Catch the Roswell Invaders take on the local team in an exciting minor league baseball match.

Richrath Project REO Celebration

6-9 p.m. — Warehouse25sixty-five Kitchen + Bar — Ticket info unavailable — Celebrate the music of REO Speedwagon in beautiful Grand Junction.

The DIRT: 80's Hair Metal Tribute

8-11 p.m. — Warehouse25sixty-five Kitchen + Bar — Tickets available — Experience the loudest, most over-the-top hair metal tribute band with the biggest party anthems of the 80s.