Mesa View Venue provides panoramic perfection for events hosted at ranch on Glade Park

Tim Harty, The Business Times

Beautiful views in every direction, cool buildings on the premises and a little isolation make a strong case for choosing Mesa View Venue at Little Park Ranch to host a wedding ceremony and/or reception.

Or a reunion. Or a retreat. Or just a relaxing weekend getaway.

Owners Cheryl and Scott Norton opened Mesa View Venue at Little Park Ranch in May of this year with visions of creating beautiful events for others.

When Scott found the property at 2729 S. 21 1/2 Road on Glade Park, Cheryl said, “We knew it was the perfect place to create a lasting legacy for our family while sharing this incredible landscape with others to create memories.”

They designed the ranch-style home and the venue’s interior spaces, “blending southwest-style décor with the high-desert-meets-the-mountains theme to create a setting that’s both warm and breathtaking,” Cheryl said.

And, of course, there’s the element that Mother Nature provided, what Cheryl said they call “the local trifecta: sweeping views of Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain; Colorado National Monument; and nearby Rattlesnake Arches.”

The reasons the Nortons bought the ranch in October 2024 and thought it was perfect for Mesa View Venue are the same reasons people live on Glade Park. So, the residents weren’t thrilled about a business setting up in their midst, especially one that could bring large numbers of people to the area nearly every weekend of the year. That became a hurdle to clear, which the Nortons did.

It didn’t hurt that Scott has worked for the City of Grand Junction for 27 years, and as Cheryl said, “has a deep knowledge of city operations, infrastructure and project management.”

“Although our venue sits on a 35-acre parcel with generous distance from neighbors, the CUP (Conditional Use Permit) process required us to address potential impacts thoroughly – traffic, noise, dust, parking, fire safety, waste management and overall activity,” Cheryl wrote in an email interview. “It took more than seven months to gain approval, with final approval granted in May 2025.”

She said the County Commission authorized up to 42 events per year, with a maximum of 299 guests per event.

Larger events are intentionally limited to preserve quality, Cheryl said.

“Throughout the process,” she added, “we submitted detailed mitigation plans, a traffic study and operational protocols to ensure the venue operates safely, responsibly and respectfully. The process was far from a formality; it demanded careful planning to meet both regulatory and community expectations.”

The Nortons original plan to open the business immediately after purchasing the property last October was dashed. But between then and getting the conditional-use permit in May, they found another way to put the ranch to use.

“We pivoted to offering our ranch-style home as a short-term rental,” Cheryl said. “While not our original vision, it turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to welcome guests, share the property (and the views), and refine our hospitality while preparing the venue for larger events.”

Having to wait until May to get officially permitted to host events cost the Nortons the ability to book weddings this year.

“Our focus is now on 2026 weddings, while still welcoming fall celebrations, holiday parties and winter events this year (the venue is fully heated),” Cheryl wrote. “Beyond weddings, we receive inquiries for fundraisers, retreats, performances and even commercial filming.”

Mesa View Venue did manage to open with a wedding-reception, as Cheryl wrote, “Our first celebration was especially meaningful. A couple from Carbondale, who had eloped in the Virgin Islands, hosted a small reception here with family and friends. They enjoyed ATV rides, BBQs, cocktails and sunsets while spending quality time together.

“That intimate gathering truly set the tone for the kind of experiences we want to offer – authentic, relaxed and connected to the land.”

Mesa View Venue is family-run, with Cheryl and Scott managing daily operations and their son Kade helping out. Kade recently launched his own private-chef service, which is available for select rentals and events.

The Nortons do not employ an in-house team for events. Potential renters of the venue can hire their own vendors for catering, bartending, décor, entertainment and photography. But if they need help with anything, they are in good hands with Cheryl, who has more than 35 years of experience in floral design and large-scale event production. She said she has worked on major events like the Aspen Food & Wine Festival and Coachella, and her art education “fuels her creativity and attention to detail.”

The Nortons also tout a unique feature on the premises: the silo grain-bin bar. Cheryl calls it “a wow factor that adds rustic charm and a memorable touch to any celebration.”

More about Mesa View Venue

Mesa View Venue at Little Park Ranch is located at 2729 S. 21 1/2 Road on Glade Park.

For details and availability, visit its website: MesaViewVenue.com or email Hello@mesaviewvenue.com

Worth noting: The venue is offering special pricing if you book your 2026 event before the end of the year.

Interested parties are welcome to schedule a site visit to see the venue and VRBO in person.

Short-term rental & private residence

In addition to hosting events, Little Park Ranch operates as a VRBO. The ranch-style home is also owned by Scott and Cheryl Norton’s private residence.

“We continually update and refine the property,” Cheryl said. “Recently, we brought in goats from Grazing Guardians for weed control and fire mitigation, an eco-friendly solution that keeps us and the goats entertained!”