To guide this effort, GVORC has partnered with Community Builders, a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to helping communities create more vibrant, resilient, and sustainable places. Their team works alongside local partners to identify opportunities, build consensus, and develop practical strategies that reflect community values and local priorities.
Purpose
Key Outcomes
- Inventory existing recreation assets and infrastructure
Analyze recreation patterns through mobile data, heat mapping, and economic analysis - Identify gaps, opportunities, and future investment priorities
- Establish a shared vision and guiding principles to inform future recreation planning and stewardship
- Complete the county’s first outdoor recreation feasibility study in more than 25 years
- Develop a prioritized project pipeline and long-term funding strategy
- Support outdoor recreation businesses, workforce development, and economic vitality
- Strengthen regional collaboration and community engagement
- Promote long-term sustainability, stewardship, and resilience
Why It Matters
- $484 million contributed to Mesa County’s economy (2022)
- 7.2% of local GDP generated by outdoor recreation
- 11% of county jobs tied to the outdoor recreation economy
- 80% of residents say outdoor access is a primary reason they choose to live here
Project Timeline
Phase 1: Groundwork (Mayo–Junio)
- Develop project branding, communications, and engagement strategy
- Finalize project approach with the GVORC Board
- Convene the True West Steering Committee
Phase 2: Assess (Mayo–Julio)
- Review existing plans, studies, and recreation data
- Launch the community survey
- Host an Industry Roundtable
- Conduct stakeholder interviews
- Prepare an assessment summary
Phase 3: Envision (Agosto–Septiembre)
- Facilitate Steering Committee Meeting #2
- Conduct facilitator training
- Host Campfire Session #1 (User-Group Workshops)
- Host Campfire Session #2 (Visioning Workshops)
- Conduct an infrastructure audit
- Develop a shared community vision
Phase 4: Strategize (Septiembre)
- Draft goals, strategies, and guiding principles
- Host Campfire Session #3 (Strategies Workshops)
- Refine priorities and strategic direction
Industry Summit (Noviembre)
- Present key findings, recommended strategies, and the preliminary project pipeline while gathering final community feedback.
Get Involved
This is a community-led effort—and your voice matters.
- Completing the Community Survey
- Attending a Campfire Session (User-Group & Envisioning Workshops)
- Joining us at the West Slope Outdoor Recreation Industry Summit
- Subscribing to The ORC Connector
- Becoming a Friend of GVORC
- Hosting a Lunch & Learn with your organization or business
Your Voice Matters
This plan belongs to our community, and every perspective matters.
Take the True West Community Survey and help ensure the priorities, investments, and opportunities identified reflect the values and aspirations of the people who call Mesa County home.
The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. As a thank-you for participating, you’ll be entered to win one of three $50 gift cards, generously donated by The Gear Junction, REI, and Downtown Grand Junction.
Survey Deadline: Agosto 14, 2026
Help shape the future of outdoor recreation in Mesa County—one voice at a time.
