Good morning, Grand Junction.

Western Colorado Pediatrics, a division of Primary Care Partners, raised $5,486 for the Kids Aid Backpack Program—supporting weekend food aid for School District 51 children after 1,098 well-child checks from July 1 to Aug 1—and presented the check to executive director Tessa Kaiser.

On Monday, visitors toured the new Grand Junction temple with granite walls, a tall 118‑foot spire and quiet rooms—tours will run from Thursday through Sept 27 to let everyone visit Colorado’s third temple.

Liz Fitzgerald, a first-grade teacher at Mesa View Elementary School, was surprised when she was named one of eight finalists for Colorado Teacher of the Year by Mesa View Principal Stacey Cohen—recognizing her 17 years of building strong student relationships.

She is known for promoting equity and community support in her classroom.

On September 9, the Colorado Department of Education announced eight finalists for the 2026 Teacher of the Year award, naming Mesa View Elementary first-grade teacher Liz Fitzgerald among over 400 applicants—she received $1500 and her school got $500 while the winner will be chosen in October.

A heavy thunderstorm on September 4 dumped 2 to 3 inches of rain on the Redlands, causing flash flooding along Lunch Loop Trail and near homes.

Retired engineer Ken Fischer said debris in culverts and dry sandy soil slowed drainage, making it a 500-year event.

The City of Grand Junction received a $9.8 million grant from the Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise to build a new recycling facility that will use AI and optical sorting technology to process materials such as paper, plastic, aluminum and tin — the design phase is underway with construction planned to begin and the facility set to open in August. This regional hub will boost recycling capacity and benefit underserved communities.

Gov. Polis visited Grand Junction on September 9 to meet with local leaders at the Business Incubator Center to discuss the pending expiration of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit, which helps cover health insurance costs.

He warned that if Congress does not extend the credit by the end of September, premiums could rise sharply—up to 174% statewide and 277% on the Western Slope.

On September 9th, Mesa County Board of Public Health met to plan a response to seven measles cases by increasing staffing and activating their emergency operations center—bringing in over 25 extra staff to do contact tracing.

The team has already logged over 600 response hours and stays ready—quickly tracking exposures to keep the community safe.

Mesa County Public Health released its annual Suicide Report that shows about 50 residents died by suicide each year and highlights prevention efforts from local workplaces and programs like Grand Valley Connects—efforts that community leaders say can help save lives.

The Grand Junction Jackalopes announced Monday night that the team will relocate before the start of the 2026 season after efforts to keep it in town did not work out.

The Pioneer League will soon reveal the new location—leaving fans waiting—while the team looks to start fresh next season.

Rebecca Folsom Duo Performance

7-9 p.m. — The Radio Room — Doors at 6:30 p.m. — Enjoy an evening of melodic tunes by the talented Rebecca Folsom Duo.

Grand Mesa Open Pickleball Tournament

Sep 12-14 — Lincoln Park — Registration required — Compete and play pickleball with local enthusiasts in a fun tournament setting.

Cavalcade's Monthly Variety Show

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Cavalcade — Check local listings — Experience phenomenal music and local poetry in a quirky, genuine variety show.

Western Slope Recovery Rally

Enjoy fun events, music, bbq, art & more! Learn about resources in our valley, over 30 booths!

Amy Grant Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the timeless music of Amy Grant, the Queen of Christmas.

Sip & Stitch at Whitewater Hill Vineyards

3-6 p.m. — Whitewater Hill Vineyards — 25% off glasses of wine — Craft in a relaxed setting while enjoying discounts on delicious local wine.

A.J. Croce Live Concert

8-9:30 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience a unique musical journey with A.J. Croce and his band.

Italian Family Style Dinner

6-9 p.m. — Mafia Princess Wines — Limited tickets — Savor an intimate Italian dinner with local ingredients under the stars.

Great West Beer Fest 2025

10 PM – 2 AM — Alumni Field, Colorado Mesa University — Free entry — Celebrate local breweries and enjoy craft beers under the stars.

79th Annual Rock, Mineral, and Gem Show

9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Mesa County Fairgrounds — Free entry — Explore a dazzling array of rocks, minerals, gems, fossils, and jewelry from over 40 vendors.

Community Concerts of the Grand Valley featuring M5 The Mexican Brass

6-10 p.m. — The Avalon Theatre — Season tickets from $90 — Celebrate 20 years of M5 with a vibrant blend of classical, opera, jazz, and pop music.