Every few months, there’s an announcement worth celebrating. A ribbon cutting, a company moving in, a grant coming through, a groundbreaking with hard hats and a photographer. Everyone claps, and they should. These moments matter, they signal momentum, attract attention and remind a community that growth is possible. But the story of how those moments […]
The Mesa County housing market got off to a slower start in 2026, but February offered a few encouraging signs that activity is beginning to pick up. A total of 166 homes sold in February, down 15 percent compared to the same time last year. While that year-over-year decline may seem notable, the month-over-month shift […]
Food safety happens long before a plate reaches your table. When you go to a restaurant, you’re thinking about what to order, not food temperatures, handwashing practices or cross-contamination. And you shouldn’t have to. Mesa County Public Health collaborates with local food businesses to provide guidance and education that supports safe, successful operations. In 2025, […]
In a recent column, I explored the consequences of bringing personal baggage into the workplace. How even the most reliable, long-tenured performers can lose their footing when personal challenges spill into their professional lives. I described the ripple effect that unmanaged personal issues can have on team morale, customer experience and the overall health of […]
In conversations about economic development, centralization is often presented as a sign of progress. If programs are consolidated, if funding streams are aligned, if decision-making is elevated to a single coordinating body, the assumption is that outcomes will improve. It looks orderly. It looks efficient. It looks fair. But in rural regions, centralization and access […]
When we walk into work each morning, we don’t shed our humanity at the door. We carry our hopes, our fears, our joys and our struggles with us. Some days we arrive energized and grounded. Other days, life has weighed heavily on us, and we show up carrying burdens no one else can see. The […]
The commercial real estate market closed 2025 with solid overall performance, finishing the year 16 percent above 2024 in total closed sales volume. Total commercial sales reached $306.4 million compared to $263.5 million the prior year. Transaction activity remained steady, with 212 commercial sales in 2025 compared to 218 transactions in 2024, representing a modest […]
At its core, Mesa County Public Health works to protect and promote the health of all residents. Healthy businesses are essential to a healthy community. Public health plays a critical role in supporting local employers by providing guidance, education and resources. Reflecting on our agency’s achievements in 2025 highlights the essential role public health plays […]
Over the course of your career, you’ve likely worked for a wide range of business owners and managers. Some made you feel valued, supported and motivated. Others created tension, stress or even dread. Most people can recall, almost instantly, the individuals they loved working for – and the ones they couldn’t wait to escape. Your […]
For more than a century, the Shoshone water rights have quietly done something extraordinary for Western Colorado: They have kept the Colorado River flowing when it matters most. Those senior rights, first established in the early 1900s, are far more than a hydropower plant in Glenwood Canyon. They are one of the most important pieces […]