Colorado Gov. Jared Polis discussed a variety of issues during a visit to Grand Junction, including recycling, housing and airline service.

Polis joined in a roundtable discussion at the Business Incubator Center about new efforts to promote the use of recycled materials and a circular economy.

He delivered a local version of his State of the State address in which he outlined plans to promote more affordable housing. He also toured a Gand Junction company that manufactures self-contained and self-standing modular wall systems that can be used for housing.

Polis then helped celebrate the inaugural flight of a new route between Grand Junction Regional Airport and southern California.

The discussion at the Business Incubator Center focused on new efforts to promote the use of recycled materials and byproducts in manufacturing. The center recently opened a satellite officer of the Circular Economy Development Center to serve the Western Slope.

Created by state legislation in 2022, the Circular Economy Development Center creates and grows markets for recycled commodities and assists in efforts to promote an economy in which materials are recycled and used repeatedly, in turn reducing waste.

At an event hosted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce at the Riverside Education Centers, Polis offered a local version of his annual State of the State address. He outlined his vision for providing more affordable housing near jobs and transportation offices and discussed ways to make the state safer and ensure students have the tools they need to get good paying jobs.”

“In just two years, our great state will turn 150. And to ensure our state remains the best place to live, raise a family and launch a business, we need to work together to make our state, including the Western Slope, more affordable,” he said. “Housing and transit continue to be the issues we hear about most as I travel around Colorado, and why they remain top priorities as we approach Colorado’s 150th birthday.

Polis toured Låda Cube, which makes self-contained and self-standing modular wall systems for a variety of uses, including so-called accessory dwelling units.

“Låda Cube is helping Colorado address housing shortages through the construction of innovative AUDs,” Polis said. “These popular housing units are a powerful tool at our fingertips to help provide Coloradans housing they can afford,” Polis said. “I am grateful for the innovative work being done at Låda Cube, and I am excited to see homeowners who want to construct ADUs being able to do so with less rape tape and cost.”

Polis also visited the Grand Junction Regional Airport to join in a celebration of  the inaugural flight of a new route between Grand Junction and southern California.

Breeze Airways launched the route between Grand Junction and Orange County-Santa Ana with additional flights between Grand Junction and Provo, Utah. The airline plans to offer seasonal service to San Francisco starting May 22.

Polis said the new routes will offer Colorado residents mot travel options while bringing more visitors to the Western Colorado. “The secret is out about Grand Junction, which was listed by the New York Times as one of the 52 best places to go in 2023,” he said. “Over a half million passengers come right through here at Grand Junction Regional Airport each year. And with the exciting addition of nonstop serve from Grand Junction to Orange County and soon to San Francisco, we are thrilled to welcome even more visitors to the Western Slope.”

Polis added: “I look forward to continuing to do everything I can to support more airlines expanding service for Grand Junction with low-cost and convenient service.”

Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout also was among the officials at the event. She said the Breeze Airways mission of nice people flying nice people to nice places aligns with the character of the Grand Valley. “Breeze’s mission is very appropriate to Grand Junction because we are very proud of the nice community we have here.”

Danny Cox, vice president of airport operation and guest empowerment for Breeze Airways, said he was grateful for a new partnership in Grand Junction. “On behalf of all 1,500 Breeze team members, thank you for being a part of the Breeze family and the Breeze network. We are excited for where we grow from here.”