Western Slope Civic Lookahead: Public Meetings and Deadlines, July 27–August 9, 2026
Montrose City Council weighs charter amendments Wednesday, Palisade votes on drought water surcharges Tuesday, and Colorado's ballot-initiative deadline hits Aug. 3. Plus: Grand Junction council, Garfield commissioners, and a BLM lease-sale protest deadline. Your two-week civic guide.
Western Slope Weekend Guide: Fair Season Warm-Up, Live Music, Quilts, Cars, and Library Finds
Fair season is almost here, but the Western Slope still has a packed July 10-12 weekend with KAFM benefit music, the Black Canyon Quilt Show, a Loma car show, farmers markets, library events, comedy, jazz, and free live music from Palisade to Carbondale.Latest Articles
Feds to impose new cuts on lower Colorado River states amid climate-fueled megadrought
Federal officials finalized a temporary Colorado River management framework that could impose major new water cuts on Arizona, California and Nevada while negotiations continue. The plan underscores the growing impact of climate-driven drought across the Southwest.
Grand Junction Traffic Alert: Road Closures and Delays for the Week of August 3
Drivers in Grand Junction should expect road closures and delays the week of August 3 as construction continues on Crosby Avenue, Four Canyons Parkway, D ½ Road, Highway 340, and other major routes. Plan extra travel time and follow posted detours.
Things to Do This Weekend on the Western Slope: Colorado Day Edition (July 31–August 2, 2026)
Colorado turns 150 this Saturday and the Western Slope is celebrating — Fruita's 9:30 p.m. drone show, the Garfield County Fair parade in Rifle, free bluegrass in Cedaredge, and Palisade winery concerts all weekend. Your county-by-county guide to July 31–August 2, from GJ to Glenwood.
Fifty for 150: First peach trees planted on Western Slope of Colorado in 1882
The first peach trees planted near present-day Palisade in 1882 helped launch one of Colorado's most iconic agricultural traditions. Discover how early orchard experiments grew into a $36 million industry and made Palisade peaches famous across the state.
Celebrate Colorado's 150th Birthday at Fort Uncompahgre's Free Colorado Day Open House
Celebrate Colorado's 150th birthday with a free Colorado Day Open House at Fort Uncompahgre in Delta on Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tour the reconstructed 1830s trading fort, meet historical interpreters, and explore the stories that shaped Colorado's Western Slope.
Western Slope Civic Lookahead: Public Meetings and Deadlines, July 27–August 9, 2026
Montrose City Council weighs charter amendments Wednesday, Palisade votes on drought water surcharges Tuesday, and Colorado's ballot-initiative deadline hits Aug. 3. Plus: Grand Junction council, Garfield commissioners, and a BLM lease-sale protest deadline. Your two-week civic guide.
Grand Junction Traffic Alert: Major Road Closures and Construction for July 27–31
Grand Junction drivers should expect road closures, detours, and lane restrictions July 27–31. Major impacts include 25 Road and Four Canyons Parkway, D 1/2 Road, Ute and Pitkin avenues, overnight Highway 340 bridge work, and construction at 23 Road and Broadway.News
Feds to impose new cuts on lower Colorado River states amid climate-fueled megadrought
Federal officials finalized a temporary Colorado River management framework that could impose major new water cuts on Arizona, California and Nevada while negotiations continue. The plan underscores the growing impact of climate-driven drought across the Southwest.
Fifty for 150: First peach trees planted on Western Slope of Colorado in 1882
The first peach trees planted near present-day Palisade in 1882 helped launch one of Colorado's most iconic agricultural traditions. Discover how early orchard experiments grew into a $36 million industry and made Palisade peaches famous across the state.
Fallout from student column sparks press freedom scrutiny in Grand Junction
The reassignment of Grand Junction High School's student newspaper advisor following publication of a student opinion column about Gaza has drawn scrutiny from free speech advocates and raised questions about student press freedom under Colorado's New Voices law.
Democratic nominees for Congress in Colorado outraise Republican rivals
Colorado’s Democratic nominees for Congress have outraised their Republican rivals by a 2-to-1 margin in the 2026 election cycle. However, expensive head-to-head primary battles have left some key Democratic challengers at a steep financial disadvantage heading into the general election.Events
Celebrate Colorado's 150th Birthday at Fort Uncompahgre's Free Colorado Day Open House
Celebrate Colorado's 150th birthday with a free Colorado Day Open House at Fort Uncompahgre in Delta on Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tour the reconstructed 1830s trading fort, meet historical interpreters, and explore the stories that shaped Colorado's Western Slope.
Things to Do This Weekend on Colorado's Western Slope (July 24–26)
Looking for things to do this weekend on Colorado's Western Slope? From the Montrose County Fair & Rodeo and Carbondale Mountain Fair to live music, Palisade wineries, farmers markets, family activities, and Grand Junction events, here's your complete guide for July 24–26, 2026.
Government
Colorado county clerks to mail out 2026 primary ballots this week
Colorado county clerks are mailing June 30 primary ballots. Registered party members get their party’s ballot, while unaffiliated voters (over 50% of the state's 4M voters) get both major party ballots. Voters can update registration by June 22 to receive a mail-in ballot.
From Affordable Housing to Public Camping Rules: Key Decisions Coming This Week Across the Western Slope
A packed week of public meetings across the Western Slope will address affordable housing, public camping rules, water security, infrastructure spending, and development proposals. Here's what residents in Mesa, Montrose, and Garfield counties should know before attending.
Western Slope Civic Wrap-Up: Local Government Approves Millions for Affordable Housing While Neighbors Battle High-Density Zoning Changes
Local leaders across Colorado’s Western Slope pushed through massive housing bonds, fought federal broadband red tape, and faced angry neighbors over new high-density development this week. From Grand Junction to Glenwood Springs, big money is moving to shape how local communities grow.
Latest Articles
Feds to impose new cuts on lower Colorado River states amid climate-fueled megadrought
Federal officials finalized a temporary Colorado River management framework that could impose major new water cuts on Arizona, California and Nevada while negotiations continue. The plan underscores the growing impact of climate-driven drought across the Southwest.
Grand Junction Traffic Alert: Road Closures and Delays for the Week of August 3
Drivers in Grand Junction should expect road closures and delays the week of August 3 as construction continues on Crosby Avenue, Four Canyons Parkway, D ½ Road, Highway 340, and other major routes. Plan extra travel time and follow posted detours.
Things to Do This Weekend on the Western Slope: Colorado Day Edition (July 31–August 2, 2026)
Colorado turns 150 this Saturday and the Western Slope is celebrating — Fruita's 9:30 p.m. drone show, the Garfield County Fair parade in Rifle, free bluegrass in Cedaredge, and Palisade winery concerts all weekend. Your county-by-county guide to July 31–August 2, from GJ to Glenwood.
Fifty for 150: First peach trees planted on Western Slope of Colorado in 1882
The first peach trees planted near present-day Palisade in 1882 helped launch one of Colorado's most iconic agricultural traditions. Discover how early orchard experiments grew into a $36 million industry and made Palisade peaches famous across the state.
Celebrate Colorado's 150th Birthday at Fort Uncompahgre's Free Colorado Day Open House
Celebrate Colorado's 150th birthday with a free Colorado Day Open House at Fort Uncompahgre in Delta on Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tour the reconstructed 1830s trading fort, meet historical interpreters, and explore the stories that shaped Colorado's Western Slope.
Western Slope Civic Lookahead: Public Meetings and Deadlines, July 27–August 9, 2026
Montrose City Council weighs charter amendments Wednesday, Palisade votes on drought water surcharges Tuesday, and Colorado's ballot-initiative deadline hits Aug. 3. Plus: Grand Junction council, Garfield commissioners, and a BLM lease-sale protest deadline. Your two-week civic guide.
