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Adventure
Starts Here

We champion an intentional future for the Grand Valley’s outdoor industry, contributing to a thriving local economy and creating community connectedness and well-being for all.
OUR MISSION

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Informing the community and providing resources that enable all people to access and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

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Guiding Pillars

Our Guiding Pillars provide the highest-level of direction when working to promote and support the development of a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive outdoor recreation industry.

Community Connection

Convening organizations and facilitating partnerships across
the Grand Valley that lead to
innovative solutions and
deliberate growth.

Education & Awareness

Informing the community and providing resources that enable all people to access and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.

Industry Advancement

Representing and advocating for a community-wide understanding of the outdoor industry and its impacts, contributing to a diverse economy and resilient workforce.

Play Outside

Rivers that beckon paddlers, angers and floaters. Verdant city and state parks teeming with trails and translucent lakes. Open spaces thick with pinyon-juniper forests. Surreal canyonlands and other majestic landscapes. The Grand Valley’s public lands come in many shapes and forms; and since 75 percent of Mesa County’s lands are public, there are more than 1.5 million acres to explore! Let that sit in. The 3,341-square mile county is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
1,559,551
Acres of Public Lands in Mesa County
981,360
Acres of Bureau of Land Management Lands; McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, Bangs Canyon Recreation Area, Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, Grand Junction OHV Area and more.
20,500
Acres of National Park Service Land; the Colorado National Monument.
400,000
Acres of National Forests; Grand Mesa and Uncompahgre National Forests.
36
Grand Junction City Parks; Columbine Park, Lincoln Park, Canyon View Park, Las Colonias Park, Cottonwood Meadows Park, Darla Jean Park, Westlake Park and more.
3
State Parks; James M. Robb - Colorado River State Park, Vega State Park and Highline State Park.
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Coherent Actions

The Coherent Actions describe the ways we will carry out our Guiding Pillars. Coherent Actions are coordinated approaches and resource allocations that will support one another when pursued. This intentional design ensures that when any given Coherent Action is being worked on, multiple pillars of our strategy are moving forward.

Pursue Organizational Excellence

Build operational capacity, establish structures, and define brand identity to enable effective execution on strategy and goals.

 

Host
Impactful Events

Host regular community events highlighting local outdoor industry organizations, businesses, and efforts.

 

Advocate for Stakeholders

Support sustainable outdoor recreation infrastructure and endorse stakeholder organizations and business efforts.

 

Forge Strategic Partnerships

Build relationships and maintain a presence with key entities that have an influence on the outdoor industry.

 

Disseminate Information

Create and promote communication assets to become a community hub for outdoor industry information.

 

Increase Access
& Equity

Elevate underrepresented voices and strive to eliminate outdoor access disparities.

 

Upcoming Events

27 December 2024
Free Rider Camp
December 27 - December 29
Powderhorn Mountain Resort,
Find out more
31 December 2024
New Years Eve Celebration
9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Powderhorn Mountain Resort,
Find out more

Sign Up to Take Part in Our Mission and Goals

Ways To Get
Involved

There are many ways for you to get involved with our outdoor recreation community. You can volunteer for a number of stewardship projects, join a campfire session, sit on a steering committee, or simply be an informed citizen and recreate responsibly.

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Biking

The Grand Valley is cyclist’s paradise, offering something for every type of bike enthusiast. The variety in terrain and the beauty of the landscape make it a unique spot that attracts riders from all over. Fruita has earned its reputation as a mountain biking haven, thanks in part to its trails at 18 Road like Chutes and Ladders and Zippity Do Da, whereas the Colorado National Monument offers miles of pristine pavement with breathtaking views. Come summertime, the Grand Mesa provides a break from the heat and boasts trails and roads that cater to cyclists of either persuasion. Come spring and fall, the region also plays host to a number of biking events like the Fruita Fat Tire Festival, Rides & Vibes, Tour of the Moon and Rexy
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Camping

Camping in Colorado’s Western Slope offers an unparalleled connection with the natural world, blending adventure and tranquility. Whether you’re nestled in the high desert’s unique landscape or atop the vast expanse of North America’s largest flattop mountain, these settings provide a perfect basecamp and memorable starlit backdrop.
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Climbing

The Grand Valley’s geological landscape is a rock climber’s dream due to its jaggy red rocks, exposed cliff faces, and technical boulders. Be it the endless crack climbing routes and boulders in Unaweep Canyon, the granite canyon walls and sandstone blocks in Grand Junction, or the desert cracks and towering spires in the Colorado National Monument, something is sure to call your name!
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Fishing

The Grand Valley and its surrounding areas truly offer an abundance of freshwater fishing opportunities. With the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers, anglers have access to some of the best trout fishing in Western Colorado. In addition to these two iconic rivers, the region boasts numerous smaller streams, creeks, and alpine lakes that are waiting to be explored.
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Hiking & Trail Running

The Grand Valley is a premier destination for hiking and trail running due to its diverse landscapes, stunning scenery, favorable climate, extensive trail networks, and easy access. Whether you prefer the thrill of running along the rim of a canyon or the tranquility of hiking to a hidden waterfall, there’s sure to be a trail suited for you.
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Hunting & Sport Shooting

Hunting in Mesa County is as much about the experience and the landscape as it is about the hunt itself. The region offers breathtaking views, challenging terrain, and a chance to connect with nature in a profound way, whether you’re tracking elk through the high country of the Grand Mesa or stalking mule deer in the desert lowlands. The region and its diverse landscape also afford opportunities for moose, various small game and waterfowl.
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Motor Sports

There is no better place to experience the grandeur of the great outdoors while driving off-road. Boasting over 1.6 million acres of public lands, the Grand Valley is second to none when it comes to trail connectivity and a diverse range of trails suitable for most skill levels. Between Powderhorn Mountain Resort and the flattop mountain terrain of the Grand Mesa, opportunities are endless for fresh tracks, fresh air and beautiful views.
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Paddle Sports

The Grand Valley is best known for the Colorado National Monument as well as its incredible network of singletrack trails, but the area also boasts some of the best access to water sports in the Centennial State. Home to the confluence of the Colorado River and Gunnison River, the “String of Pearls”, and over 300 lakes on the Grand Mesa; whether your preferred means of locomotion is a SUP, canoe, kayak or raft, there’s a body of water for you in Mesa County!
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Snow Sports

Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling is synonymous with winters in Colorado and the Western Slope is no exception. Between Powderhorn Mountain Resort and the flat-top mountain terrain of the Grand Mesa, opportunities are endless for fresh tracks, fresh air and beautiful views.

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Stewardship

Being a good steward of our public lands is directly tied to the well-being of our outdoor recreation industry. It requires collective action, commitment, and ongoing investment to ensure that these invaluable assets remain vibrant and resilient for years to come. We invite you to explore West Slope Outdoor Volunteers; a regional stewardship collaboration of seven organizations in Mesa County.

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