Good morning, Grand Junction.

A man remains at large after allegedly scamming an elderly resident in Grand Junction on July 17 by sending a text & call impersonating Wells Fargo staff, prompting the victim to withdraw over $9,500 that was taken by a courier and transported to Silverthorne.

Verizon and its Frontline Crisis Response Team deployed a temporary cell site near the base camp southeast of Gateway to give Turner Gulch Fire crews satellite connectivity.

The wildfire, which began on July 10, has grown to 17,747 acres and is 42% contained as of Thursday — emergency officials said the move supports safe communication — while crews use devices like 5G phones and hotspots.

Families caring for children in need receive key support from Human Services, which provides case management, caregiver training, and counseling to help kin providers keep kids close to home—Mesa County aims to place children with relatives whenever safe—when compared to traditional foster care placements.

Construction on Fire Station 7 is completed but budget issues have delayed its opening to sometime in 2026, with officials aiming for a certificate of occupancy by late July or early August.

The station at 2351 H Road will have a fire truck and an ambulance once fully staffed—resources will not be pulled from busier stations—ensuring system balance.

Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel said the county revamped its permitting process to help residents get affordable homes — by allowing electronic submissions, same-day approvals, and a pilot AI-assisted tool to flag incomplete applications — while it also committed $5M in bonds to support homeownership and updated policies to let more housing types be built.

Public Fittings for Custom Hearing Protection

July 26-27 — 5013 Tactical — Cost varies — Explore personalized hearing protection solutions in Grand Junction.

Thursday Night Concert Series

7:30 p.m. — Civic Center Park and Pavilion — Free entry — Enjoy a mix of live performances featuring local and international acts across various genres.

Jo Dee Messina Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park — $40.00 - $75.00 + fees — Experience powerful vocals and chart-topping hits from country music's trailblazer Jo Dee Messina.

Grand Junction - Whiskey Blending Workshop with Westland Distillery

6:30-8:30 p.m. — SoCo Social House — Tickets start at $1.00 — Craft your own American Single Malt Whiskey with expert guidance from Westland Distillery.

Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country

7-9:30 p.m. — Mesa Theater — Tickets starting at $80 — Experience a night of Cosmic Country music with Daniel Donato in Grand Junction.

Leftover Salmon and The Infamous Stringdusters Concert

6-7:30 p.m. — Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park — $35.50 - $91 — Experience progressive bluegrass from two iconic bands on a summer evening.

The String Cheese Incident Live Performance

6:15-7:45 p.m. — Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park — $55.00 - $85.00 — Experience the innovative and philanthropic spirit of The String Cheese Incident in an unforgettable live show.

Grand Junction Centennial Band Concert at Eagle Rim Park

7-8 p.m. — Eagle Rim Park — Free entry — Enjoy a delightful mix of movie music, pop hits, and marches in a community concert.

Pink Fuzz Performance

7-10 p.m. — Copeka Coffee — Check the venue for ticket prices — Experience explosive sludgy riffs and captivating harmonies from the accomplished band Pink Fuzz.

Darius Rucker Live Concert

7-9 p.m. — Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park — $55.00 - $195.00 — Experience GRAMMY-winning artist Darius Rucker as he performs hits from his career in music.