This building at Second and Colorado is being renovated and will have four units available when construction is finished.(Photos by Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
City
Living in the city close to downtown offers the types of opportunities that can be found nowhere else in the Grand Valley. Schools and parks are within walking distance. Restaurants and shopping are, too. Available housing ranges from small fixer-upper homes to beautifully restored historic homes.
Development is booming along the I-70 Business Loop in Clifton. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Clifton
With a population density that makes it one of the more crowded places in the Grand Valley, a history that dates back to the early 1900s, and some of the most affordable real estate in the area, Clifton is coping with growth and working toward becoming a more family-friendly community.
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This field will soon make way for a subdivision. The DeBeque town council recently approved the Wild Horse Subdivision, which will include 24 single fmaily homes with wide open views of the Bookcliffs and the Grand Mesa. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
DeBeque
Although DeBeque declared itself a Wild Horse Sanctuary City in 2001, holds Wild Horse Days every August and has erected a statue in honor of the mustangs that make their home in the nearby canyons, DeBeque is becoming more than just a small town with a fondness for horses.
The new hospital and new shopping areas are pulling people from outlying areas into Delta. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Delta
Like most towns on the Western Slope, Delta is growing. And yes, some of their growth can be traced to the energy industry. Coal mining has been a steady contributor to the Delta County economy for years, and now Delta is starting to see support services for the oil and gas energy open offices in Delta.
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Although competitors are moving to town, Munchies owner Mike Searcy says it hasn't hurt his business at all. The famous local eatery has been in business 25 years and was started by Searcy's mom. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Fruita
The town of Fruita is growing, but not without trying to establish clear boundaries for growth. People choose to live in Fruita because it?s not Grand Junction and they want to make sure that it retains its separate identity.
This manufactured home is an example of what's available in the area. For more information, contact Wally Young with Heiden Homes. (Photo by Wally Young)
Gateway
Gateway Canyons Resort has changed the face of Unaweep Canyon. Although some residents may complain about rising taxes and abundant tourists, most are happy to have a consistently open gas station and a grocery store. Those who have taken jobs at the resort are happy not to be driving into Grand Junction every day for work.
Although most home sites don't have views of Mount Garfield or the Grand Valley, the view above is what everyone driving into Grand Junction sees every time they come to town. If having a large manicured lawn is a personal requirement, then Glade Park might not be a good choice. If, however, the natural beauty of wildflowers and pinyons is appealing, then Glade Park could be the perfect place to settle. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Glade Park
Glade Park defies a quick and easy description. Although it's a rural community with some working ranches, it's also home to commuters who have to drive down to the valley to work every day. It's not uncommon to see a million dollar home; it's also not uncommon to see a singlewide trailer. Some areas have covenants, others are so far off the beaten path that homeowners could collect spaceships and no one would notice.
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The Western Slope Cattlemen's Livestock Auction held its first auction in January of this year. The Loma location is convenient for producers in Utah, as well as from Meeker, Craig and Steamboat Springs.(Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Loma and Mack
Although some farmers and ranchers in Loma and Mack are selling their property to developers who want to grow houses, one longtime resident and his partners are bucking the trend toward urbanization with the creation of the Western Slope Cattlemen's Livestock Auction.
The Inn at Wildewood is open for the summer, offering prime rib on Saturday nights and a Sunday brunch. Chad Entwhistle, the new manager, says the cream puffs have been a hit at the brunch. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Mesa
Although the community of Mesa has a post office, a general store, even a few restaurants and a motel, and it is the closest town to Powderhorn Resort, there's no danger that it will soon follow in the footsteps of Aspen or Vail. In fact, Mesa isn't even an incorporated town, just a rural community with agricultural roots and a big, friendly heart.
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Rim Vista, a townhome development six years in the making, is located south of Moab on Spanish Valley Drive. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Moab
The overall population of Moab is around 5000 and has seasonal swings, but has grown at a manageable 3% per year for the last five years. The community wants to be ready should all their 2nd home citizens decide to make Moab their primary residence. Planners also want to make their community attractive enough to attract the necessary workers for their tourist industry, although the available recreation is what attracts and retains most tourism employees.
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Visitors stream through Montrose no matter what the season while residents are determined to keep their jewel untarnished. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Montrose
With two state highways bisecting the town, a regional airport that serves ten times as many visitors as residents, and a location that puts it an hour's drive from almost every available recreational activity offered in the state of Colorado, Montrose sees a lot of people passing through to somewhere else.
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The Shaw Building was built in two phases. Although Shaw Construction was the only tenant when phase one construction began, tenants lined up as they saw the building take shape. (Photo by Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
North
It's convenient for commuters and an increasingly attractive area for new business and travelers. The north area, with the proximity to the airport and the freeway, is one of the hottest parts of town for commercial growth.
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The city's recommendations for North Avenue include creating more pedestrian-friendly areas, more uniform signage, burying electric lines and improving the aesthetics of the area. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Northeast
The northeast part of town is a combination of the new and old. There are brand new residential developments as well as older, established neighborhoods. Two of the three elementary schools are more than 50 years old, while one of the middle schools is in a brand new building. Much of the commercial areas are older and in need of a facelift. The good news is that the city has recognized the needs of citizens who live in the area and is working on a revitalization plan.
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The boundary for the Persigo Wastewater Treatment plant was recently expanded to include areas like the one in the picture, paving the way for fields of grazing cows to give way to subdivision and higher density housing. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Northwest
The northwest area is in a state of change, especially with the recent decision to expand sewer service into a larger section of the northwest area, potentially bringing higher housing density and lower housing costs.
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A cropduster flies over corn fields near Olathe.(Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Olathe
If the potato grower's co-op, the corn festival and the irrigated fields surrounding the town don't make it abundantly clear that Olathe is a farm town, perhaps a visit to the local hardware store will. At Olathe True Value Hardware, you won't just find water heaters and paint, but horseshoes and plow shares, too.
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With the expansion of the Persigo boundary on Orchard Mesa to include areas east of 30 Road and north of A 1/2, farmland like this could be open to development.(Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Orchard Mesa
Like other areas in the Grand Valley, Orchard Mesa is experiencing growing pains. The boundaries for growth are stretching Orchard Mesa with the decision to expand the boundaries for the Persigo agreement, which determines which areas will have sewer service. The middle school is stretched to the limit, adapting 1960s-style architecture and building codes to 21st century educational reality. And one proposed annexation and zoning change has prompted public meetings, editorials and more than a little confusion.
THIS HOME IS CLOSE TO downtown Palisade, and has two bedrooms and one bath. Although the 1,116-square-foot home was built in 1904, it has a new hot water heater, a new furnace and a new roof.(Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Palisade
Although the town of Palisade is changing, it's not rushing toward commercialization and growth at any cost. When the master plan was finalized a year ago, it recognized the need for a vibrant economy, but it also recognized the unique features that give the area its charm.
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A drilling platform can be seen on the neighboring hillside from the homes on the golf course at Battlement Mesa, reminding visitors and residents of the reasons for the current prosperity. (Photos by Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Parachute and Battlement Mesa
From the terraced hills of Battlement Mesa you can look across the freeway and see the activity that's driving the local economy. In Parachute, the trucks that lumber through town remind residents that energy is king once again. The two communities share a freeway exit, a school district and a history of survival in spite of the ups and downs of the energy industry.
Grand Mesa communities offer a cool retreat to escape the heat of the Grand Valley. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Plateau Valley
Although business is good in Plateau Valley and throughout the mountain communities, business is also for sale in Collbran and on the Grand Mesa. In Collbran, the flower shop, restaurants, the grocery store, the convenience store, and a hotel are for sale. On the mesa, Mesa Lakes Resort, Spruce Lodge, Grand Mesa Lodge and Alexander Lake Lodge are all for sale, as well.
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AS THE GATEWAY to Colorado National Monument, Redlands residents want the area to retain its sense of remoteness. They also enjoy the views and don't want high-density housing to come in and spoil them. (Photos by Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Redlands
Redlands has a lot to offer its residents. Great views of the monument, great views of the valley, access to one of the Colorado River State Parks, two golf courses and good neighborhood schools, at least up through middle school.
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The historic Riverside school has been restored and is available for different programs designed to promote multicultural exchange and literacy. (Photos by Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
It's one of Grand Junction's oldest neighborhoods, within walking distance to downtown, with great views of the monument and right next to the Colorado Riverfront Trail. It's also one of the most overlooked areas in town. All that could change as the Riverside Parkway transforms the lower downtown area and puts the Riverside neighborhood on display.
THE CORN LAKE section of the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park offers residents who live in the southeast area a great place to picnic, fish, hike, or start on a river float trip. (Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Southeast / Pear Park
Once upon a time, the southeast area, or Pear Park, as the city prefers to call it, was remote, out of the way, and inexpensive. Then the county built the bridge to Orchard Mesa, the city opened the eastern portion of the Riverside Parkway, and access to Pear Park was no longer the problem it used to be. Fortunately, land is still less expensive there than in other parts of the valley, which translates into homes that are more affordable.
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Although there isn't much in the core area of what could be downtown Whitewater, there are fire hydrants, paved streets with street signs and a post office.(Penny Stine/Real Estate Weekly)
Whitewater and Gateway are small communities south of the Grand Valley. Both are trying to grow and carve out their identities. On the surface, they don't share many similarities.
Whitewater is an easy commute into the Grand Valley; Gateway is 43 miles beyond Whitewater up Unaweep Canyon. Gateway is becoming a destination for visitors from all around the world; Whitewater is becoming home to a few people who want to experience life in the country.
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