Downtown sales-tax collections outpace retail corridors, reverse prior-year decline

Brandon Leuallen, The Business Times

Sales-tax collections in downtown Grand Junction increased at a faster rate than the city’s primary retail corridors in 2025, marking a reversal from earlier reports that showed the district declined in the first part of 2025 compared with 2024.

Overall, citywide sales-tax collections increased 4.3 percent year over year, with growth varying by district.

City data shows the Downtown District generated $4,630,204 in sales-tax revenue in 2025, up 6.89 percent from $4,331,723 the year before. By comparison, the Mesa Mall and 24 Road corridor reported a 1.23 percent increase, while the Highway 6&50 corridor grew 0.59 percent over the same period. The Highway 6&50 corridor includes major retailers and national chains such as Walmart Supercenter, Sam’s Club and Sportsman’s Warehouse, along with other big-box stores and national retailers.

The change contrasts with the beginning of 2025, when downtown collections showed a decline of about 1 percent, while the Mesa Mall-area district showed roughly 1 percent increase, and the Highway 6&50 corridor showed a slight decline of about 1 percent that was detailed in a January Business Times article titled “Where the sales tax revenue comes from.”

Businesses report stronger year, increased activity

Some downtown businesses say their experience aligns with the increase shown in the city’s data.

“Definitely more foot traffic,” said Trianna Suiter, who works at Mainstreet Minerals and Beads. “It seemed like maybe people were wanting to indulge in what was happy, which is being here.”

Suiter said customers appeared to be more relaxed after the year’s political elections and were focusing more on local experiences.

“People kind of tried to ignore the bigger problems and just enjoy the small things,” she said.

Other business owners reported similar results over the course of the holidays.

Patti Eddy Heartsill, owner of the Small Mall on Main, attributed part of the increase to changes in downtown traffic patterns following the city’s decision to scale back the Fourth and Fifth Street pilot project. The Grand Junction City Council voted in May 2025 to revert the project, with a follow-up vote in August returning sections of the streets south of Grand Avenue to their original configuration.

She said the change improved access for customers and vendors.

“The increased sales was great, plus vendors that have to come and find a place to park and maneuver to come down, they found it much easier,” Heartsill said. “A lot of them wouldn’t even come in, because it was so hard to get to. So yeah, it made a big difference for us.”

Another downtown store, Mama’s Treasures, experienced its best year in 13 years.

One vendor in the store, Liz Brown, said the increased traffic continued into January, when she had her best month to date.

Laura Gutierrez, owner of Old Friends Trading Co., said the year ended strong, and their decision to stay open during some of the downtown events helped bring in customers who may not purchase a lot at the moment but often return later to shop.

How did other Grand Junction sales tax districts perform?

In addition to downtown and the city’s primary retail corridors, Grand Junction tracks multiple sales-tax districts, including the North Avenue corridor, Patterson Road corridor and the I-70 Business Loop corridor, which represent major commercial routes across the city.

City data shows growth varied across districts in 2025.

Economic nexus collections, which are largely based on online sales, increased 7.81 percent. Other commercial areas also posted gains, including the Northwest Commercial Area at 6.57 percent, the Highway 340 corridor at 4.98 percent and the I-70 Business Loop corridor at 4.91 percent.

The Horizon Drive, airport and northern industrial area increased 4.66 percent, while the Patterson Road corridor grew 3.78 percent. Smaller increases were reported along Orchard Avenue at 3.47 percent and the North Avenue corridor at 2.53 percent.

Two industrial areas posted declines, including the Northwest Industrial Area at negative 1.68 percent and the Southern Industrial and Riverside Parkway area at negative 3.29 percent.

Sales tax by districting

Year-over-year change, 2025 vs. 2024

• Economic Nexus (online sales): +7.81%
• Highway 6 & 50 Corridor: +0.59%
• Mesa Mall & 24 Road Corridor: +1.23%
• Downtown District: +6.89%
• North Avenue Corridor: +2.53%
• Horizon Drive, Airport & Northern Industrial Area: +4.66%
• Patterson Road Corridor: +3.78%
• Southern Industrial & Riverside Parkway Area: minus-3.29%
• Northwest Industrial Area: minus-1.68%
• Highway 50 Corridor: +4.91%
• Northwest Commercial Area: +6.57%
• Orchard Avenue Area: +3.47%
• I-70 Business Loop Corridor: +4.91%
• Highway 340 Corridor: +2.34%

Source: City of Grand Junction sales tax report, Dec. 31, 2025