Hey Western Slope! Bust out the hot cocoa and Christmas movies. It’s the merriest time of the year.

In this edition:

• Christmas Lights Route

• Central High Wins STEM Competition

• Delta County Receives Large Grant

• Festive Events Across the Western Slope

Christmas Light Route

These are circular loops. Start at any point and work around the list from one point to the next and you should circle back to a place close to your starting point.

These were all submitted to the newsletter and were not independently verified. We unfortunately received no submissions for addresses with lights outside of the Grand Valley. I would be more than happy to feature other locations next week.

Palisade:

• 820 Cabernet Ct, Palisade

• 3588 G Rd, Palisade

• 3420 F Rd, Clifton

• 3427 F Rd, Clifton,

Clifton:

• 3133 Perkins Dr, Clifton

• 3127 Bevill Ave, Clifton

• 451 1/2 Bulla Dr, Grand Junction

• 3091 Silver Crest Trail, Grand Junction

• 2862 Fennel ave, Grand Junction

• 2978 C 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction

• 427 Donogal Dr, Grand Junction

• 440 Donogal Dr, Grand Junction

Orchard Mesa:

• 248 Frontier St, Grand Junction

• 2936 Kathy Jo Ln, Grand Junction

• 220 Vista Hills Dr,

• 2876 B Rd, Grand Junction

• 2842 1/2 Kelso Mesa Dr,

• 2680 B 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction

• 1188 Olson Ave, Grand Junction

• 1195 Santa Clara Ave, Grand Junction

• 322 Apache Dr, Grand Junction

• 2877 Fall Creek Dr, Grand Junction

Grand Junction East:

• 670 N Saddle Rock Dr, Grand Junction

• 3147 Devin Dr, Grand Junction,

• 620 31 Rd, Grand Junction,

• 3039 Milburn Ct, Grand Junction,

• 635 Round Table Rd, Grand Junction

• 3001 Country Rd, Grand Junction,

• 3001 Kia Dr, Grand Junction

• 676 29 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction

• 2924 1/2 Wagon Way, Grand Junction

• 580 1/2 28 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction

• 584 Norma Jean St, Grand Junction

• 2871 Elm Ave, Grand Junction

• 2946 Orchard Ave, Grand Junction

• 594 29 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction

• 2983 Walnut Ave, Grand Junction

• 3045 Hall Dr, Grand Junction,

• 563 E Valley Dr, Grand Junction

Grand Junction West:

• 3620 Beechwood St, Grand Junction

• 1610 Crestview Way

• 736 26 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction,

• 752 Tulip Dr, Grand Junction,

• Greystone Drive, Grand Junction,

• 3038 Cloverdale Ct, Grand Junction,

• 141 Bookcliff Ave, Grand Junction,

• 581 Walnut Ave, Grand Junction,

• 1718 Maple St, Grand Junction,

• 2041 N 22nd St, Grand Junction

Fruita:

• 924 Cresthaven Drive, Fruita,

• 713 Gold Rush Dr, Fruita,

• 578 Comstock Dr, Fruita,

• 550 Poplar Dr, Fruita,

• 515 Hazel Cir, Fruita,

• 1241 Dakota Dr, Fruita,

• 228 S Park Ct, Fruita

• 1284 Windsor Park Dr, Fruita,

• 1238 Windsor Park Dr, Fruita,

• 1105 E Carolina Ave, Fruita,

• 933 Kiefer Ave, Fruita,

• 617 E Aspen Ave, Fruita

• 137 N Peach St, Fruita,

• 225 E Aspen Ave, Fruita,

• 219 E Aspen Ave, Fruita,

Housing

Market Stats:

Average Sales Price: $453,855 (-.26% from last week)

Inventory Levels:

1. Number of New Listings: 51 (+ 89% from last week)

2. Average Days on Market: 86 (+6.17% from last week)

Total Number of Active Listings: 610 (+.83% from last week)

_{Source: Skyler Kraai with Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties}

News

Central High School Students Win Competition

Unfortunately, students can no longer attend school just to learn a few subjects and meet up with their friends. They must also pay attention to their surroundings and worry about their safety. A group of Central students noticed a security issue when many people were holding the friend door open for groups of people to come through rather than everyone scanning in individually to gain access to the building.

While this is a nice gesture, it poses a security risk. Central students won a grant of $2500 to continue helping them develop technology that identifies firearms and other weapons as they enter the school. If they can continue to develop this project, they can advance in the competition and win more money between $12,000 - $50,000 at each level.

Business Highlight

Copeka Coffee

• ^{Location: 1012 N 5th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501}

• ^{Hours: Everyday 7am - 8 pm}

Stop by and get some hot chocolate and a treat before you cruise around town and look at all the festive Christmas lights. This hidden gem is THE spot in town with the best coffee, hot chocolate, pastries and desserts.

Local Community

Delta County receives over $750K from GOCO

Delta County recently received $750,000 from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) which is aimed to help “a series of impactful projects,” according to the press release.

The GOCO funds will go toward Delta Fairgrounds recreation development, wildlife habitat enhancement and wildfire mitigation, improving outdoor learning accessibility and Oak Creek Ranch conservation.

“These initiatives will enhance outdoor recreation, conservation and education, improving the quality of life for residents while protecting the region’s natural and cultural heritage,” Delta County said in the release.

Around $600,000 will help with fairgrounds improvements. These upgrades include:

• Miners Trail, a path that connects the fairgrounds to North Fork High School, local parks and businesses.

• A playground and gathering area that will encompass shade structures, a walking path and other features.

• More amenities that consist of upgrades to the boat ramp and disk golf course.

“This project enhances the historic character of our community while supporting the growth of our outdoor spaces,” Delta County Commissioner Wendell Koontz said in the release. “It provides convenient, multimodal access from the NF High School and recreation district to the fairgrounds, downtown and the new accessible playground. This grant allows us to continue improving the quality of life for our citizens and meeting our community’s needs.”

Meanwhile, around $52,000 will be implemented for wildlife habitat enhancement and wildfire mitigation. This work includes:

• Treating 31 acres of elevated forest to limit wildfire risks.

• Removing 2.1 acres of invasive riverbank vegetation.

An additional $46,000 will help outdoor learning availability. This work will be at:

• Paonia K8 School

• Crossroads Park in Hotchkiss

• Jumbo Mountain (managed by the Bureau of Land Management)

Lastly, $52,000 will go to protect 1,000 acres of Delta County ranchland. It will also support pronghorn, elk, mule deer and bear habitats. The property also hosts a year-round cow-calf operation.

Western Slope Sports!

Day 1 of the Wildcat Classic

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - The Wildcat Classic Basketball Tournament is here to give a lot of the Grand Valley Girls Basketball Squads their first action of the season close to home.

With four games in day one defense and physicality was a theme very early on, with many of the visitors from the Front Range utilizing tough defense, and full court press to stifle the Western Slope representatives who went winless on day one of competition.

Fruita Monument battled back and fourth with the Rocky Mountain Lobos, out of Fort Collins, but tying things up with just 30 seconds on the clock, but ultimately came up short 48-46.

Palisade’s offense had a rough outing against the Frederick Golden Eagles, putting up a season low 27 points, falling 45-27.

A big second half by Denver North will keep the Central Warriors searching for their first win, 57-38.

The Grand Junction Tigers show fight down the stretch. but could not keep pace with the Chaparral Wolverines, 65-41.

Exciting Events: December

This section only includes local upcoming events. Feel free to submit yours!

Sports

• Ugly Sweater Fun Run

  • Location: Fruita, CO

  • Time: 9:30 am December 14th.

  • Wear your most festive or ugliest holiday gear and get ready for some magical winter fun!
    After a social 5k fun run/walk enjoy seasonal brews, hot chocolate, fun fitness games and a big ugly sweater contest benefiting Fruita Little League

  • Click Here

• Western Region Basketball Tournament

  • Saturday, February 15
    8:30 am – 6:00 pm

  • Location: Colorado Mesa University
    1100 North Avenue
    Grand Junction, CO 81501

  • Special Olympics Colorado is hosting the Western Region Basketball Tournament at Colorado Mesa University! Traditional Play, Unified Play and All Star Skills Challenge will be played.

• CMU Mavericks Basketball

  • Brownson Arena 1040 Mesa Ave, Grand Junction

  • Tickets

Family Fun

• Live Nativity - "Road to Bethlehem" (FREE - Donations Accepted)

  • Take a hay ride through field and forest to meet the wisemen, listen to shepherds, wonder with the innkeeper, and finally meet the Baby! Costumed actors bring the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to life. Tour takes 30 minutes. While waiting enjoy the petting zoo, story and craft tent, monologues, bonfire, free cocoa and cookies. Outdoor event so please dress very warmly and be prepared to walk short distances over rough terrain. No pets.

  • December 13-15

  • 1280 20 Rd, Fruita

  • 5:30-8:30 PM

• Santa Paws

Garden of Lights Montrose

• 1800 Pavilion Dr, Montrose, CO 81401

• Dates: 12/14/2024, 12/15/2024, 12/21/2024, 12/22/2024, 12/26/2024

• Location: Montrose Botanic Gardens

• Time: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM

• Price: Adults: $8, Children 4-17: $4, 3 years and under: Free

Montrose Farmer’s Market - Holiday Edition

• 99 S Uncompahgre Ave, Montrose, CO 81401

• Dates: 12/14/2024, 12/21/2024

• Location: Centennial Plaza

• Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

• Price: Free

Date Night 🎆

Downtown Palisade

• Altrusa Cup of Warmth @ Slice O Life 4:30 pm

• Taylor Elementary Christmas Carolers 5:00 pm

• Lighting of the Tree 5:15 pm

• Town of Palisade Parade of Lights following tree lighting

• Fire Station Tow

Carols and Cocoa

• December 13th

• Price: FREE

• Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

• 402 Grand Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501

• (970) 242-0813

Wreath Making

• 3708 G Road Palisade, CO 81526

• (970) 462-7301

• Price: $55

• Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Comedy❗

I could not find any comedy events this week. Please submit your favorites!

Thank you so much for your support!

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See you next week!