The City of Grand Junction has received recognition for the planning and collaboration that went into the Riverfront at Dos Rios development.

The city received another award for the River Park at Las Colonias.

The Colorado Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) presented the city with its Innovative Partnership and Collaborations merit award for Dos Rios. The award category recognized planning initiatives creating partnerships and collaborations among special interest groups, health organizations, school districts, funding partners or non-profit organizations.

The Colorado Parks and Recreation Association presented the city with its Columbine Award for Innovation for the River Park at Las Colonias.

Over the past 30 years, the 67-acre Riverfront at Dos Rios has evolved from a landfill and junk yard to an area poised for redevelopment and revitalization. With access to the Colorado River, a trail system, open space and downtown, the area was envisioned as a vibrant neighborhood with homes as well as places to work and play.

Numerous land acquisitions by the city and cleanup of the site by the Department of Energy led initially to the extension of the Riverfront Trail along the length of the property as well as the addition of a backwater pond for endangered fish. These early steps were made possible with the help of such community groups as One Riverfront and the Lions Club.

The value of completed infrastructure improvements for Riverfront at Dos Rios totaled $10.7 million with the purpose of creating a shovel-ready project for a potential developer.

The city has invested more than $1 million in park improvements, including a bicycle playground,  restroom and shelter as well as development of a 16-acre park along the river with more amenities planned. 

The River Park at Las Colonias is part of the Riverfront Trail system. The River Park was built to restore 14 acres of riparian area improving habitat and ecology in the adjacent river. It acts as a side channel for endangered fish species in the Colorado River. 

The $1.2 million River Park project was funded by two grants received from Great Outdoor Colorado and the Colorado Water Conservation Board as well as support from the City of Grand Junction, the Colorado Basin Roundtable, Downtown Grand Junction and One Riverfront. The project was made possible through partnerships with many organizations, including Colorado Mesa University, the U.S. Department of Energy and Bonsai.