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Fall Colors Out West
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The Slope Scoop
September 26, 2025
Photo of the Week
Submitted by Rick Kieffer
Please continue submitting photos of yourself/ the Western Slope. I have gotten so much good feedback about this section. Let’s see those beautiful Fall pics!
In this edition:
Homeowner Tip of the Week - Furnace Filters!
Color Weekend
Traffic
Community News, Sports, and Events!
Housing
🌳 Homeowner Tip of the Week
The cool nights are rolling in, which means your home will soon be sealed up tight for the season. Before you close everything up, take a few minutes to check and replace your furnace filter. A clean filter helps your system run more efficiently, keeps your energy bills down, and improves the air quality inside your home—especially important after a summer full of dust and smoke. Pro tip: write the replacement date on the filter frame with a marker so you’ll know when it’s due next.
Market Stats
Average Sales Price:
T12 (last 12 months): $469,000 (no change from last week)
YTD (since Jan 1st 2025): $472,000 (no change from last week)
Median Sales Price:
T12 (last 12 months): $408,000 (no change from last week)
YTD (since Jan 1st 2025): $408,000 (no change from last week)
Inventory Levels:
Number of New Listings: 56 (-14 from last week)
Average Days on Market: 81 (no change from last week)
Total Active Listings: 811 (no change from last week)
Source: Skyler Kraai with Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties
NewsLocal News
Powderhorn Mountain Resort gears up for Color Weekend
Powderhorn Mountain Resort is set to host its annual “Color Weekend” starting this Saturday, showcasing the vibrant fall colors of Colorado.
The Flat Top Flier chairlift will operate both Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM, allowing visitors to ride up, explore the area, and return via the lift. Tickets for the scenic rides are priced at $19 per person.
The event will feature scenic chairlift rides on the Flat Top Flier, offering breathtaking views of the Grand Mesa and the valley below. However, weather conditions may impact some plans as a storm approaches from the southwest.
Ryan Robinson, assistant general manager and director of marketing and sales at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, emphasized the beauty of the season, stating, “You can’t beat the views this time of year. It is the most gorgeous view of the Grand Mesa and the valley below.”
Heavy mountain corridor traffic anticipated this weekend for leaf-peeping
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) anticipates a busy weekend of travel along the Interstate 70 Mountain Corridor in both directions for people leaf-peeping the changing foliage.
Travelers should expect heavy traffic heading westbound late morning through the early afternoon and eastbound from the late morning into the evening. CDOT recommends that people leave either early, before 8 a.m., or later in the day to avoid the worst congestion.
Outside of the interstate, congestion can be expected along US Highway 285, Kenosha Pass, Guanella Pass and other scenic roadways.
The anticipation of the busy weekend is based on 2024 traffic data for the same weekend, when traffic volumes were found to be the highest of the fall season. CDOT had to meter traffic for 11 and a half hours to keep traffic moving safely, and by noon, approximately 3,000 vehicles per hour were driving past the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnels. For eastbound travel, traffic extended past 10 p.m.
Business Highlight
Yona Leather
Handcrafted. Timeless. Made for You.
What started in a spare room in 2020 with a file-turned-knife and a simple need for a sheath has grown into Yona Leather—a passion for craftsmanship turned into a brand you can trust.
Every piece is made with the world’s finest leathers—from premium American hides to luxurious Italian tanneries—carefully chosen to ensure unmatched quality, durability, and style.
At Yona Leather, you’re not just buying leather goods. You’re investing in something designed to last a lifetime—something you may not have known you needed, but will never want to live without.
Handcrafted with pride
Made from the best leather on earth
Built to stand the test of time
Yona Leather – Where Craft Meets Legacy.
Follow along for new designs, behind the scenes, and exclusive releases:
• Instagram: Yona Leather
• Facebook: Yona Leather
Local Community
Driver arrested for hit and run involving well-known Montrose man
A 21-year-old Montrose man was arrested for allegedly striking a noteworthy community member and driving away earlier this week, according to Colorado State Patrol.
Johan Duarte Javalera was booked on Thursday into the Montrose County Jail, where he was charged with:
Failed to remain at the scene of a crash that caused serious bodily injury
Tampering with physical evidence
Failed to notify the police of an accident
Careless driving and causing serious bodily injury
Using a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle was the proximate cause of bodily injury to another
Drove without a valid driver’s license or instruction permit
Javalera, who was driving a black 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, reportedly hit Michael Keenan, 68, from behind on Sunday on 6400 Road. Keenan was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital on Wednesday.
Keenan is a prominent figure in Montrose as he will carry a large wooden cross on wheels on the highway.
Western Slope Sports!
D51 hosts its first adaptive cross-country race
Student athletes in Grand Junction had the opportunity to participate in the first District 51 adaptive cross-country race Wednesday. The race offered races for athletes with disabilities. The events included wheelchair races, a girls 1k and a boys 1k run.
Payton Clem, one of the athletes said she likes to run a lot. Clem said she had fun and was supported by her teammates.
Grand Junction High School won the overall team event. One of their runners, Kris Bowles said he wanted to “bring a trophy back to Junction.”
Bowles said that everyone on the team did their part.
Farmer’s Markets!
This is the last week the farmer’s market list will be up! Last Chance!
101 South 3rd Street, Suite 100 Grand Junction, CO 81501
Thursdays beginning July 10 through September 25 from 6:00-9:00 pm
Main and E 3rd St Palisade, CO 81526
Every Sunday from 09:00 am to 01:00 pm from June 1 through October 5, 2025
325 East Aspen Avenue, Fruita, CO, 81521
Saturdays 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Centennial Plaza, Montrose, CO, United States, Colorado
Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm
Cross Orchards Farmers Market 3073 Patterson RoadGrand Junction
Saturdays 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Seasonal Events!
BOO fun run/walk
October 25th at WestCo Brewing
Costume up and bring your family and friends, we will haunt the town on our 5k route along the river while taking in the beautiful fall colors followed by a big costume contest, seasonal brews, hot chocolate and fun fitness games. Kids 12 and under run for free and dogs are welcome at all events. https://grandvalleybrewruns.com/kannah-creek-brewing-company/
Mustache fun run/walk
November 22nd at Handlebar Tap House
Join a Movember themed 5k run/walk to support men’s cancer awareness! Grow or wear your best stache for the post run contest and enjoy seasonal brews, hot chocolate, axe throwing, fun fitness games, music, and more fall fun! Learn more and sign up now HERE.
Ugly Sweater fun run/walk
December 13th at Copper ClubWear your most festive or ugliest holiday gear and get ready for some magical winter fun!
After a social 5k fun run enjoy seasonal brews, hot chocolate, music and a big ugly sweater contest benefiting Girls on the Run Western Colorado. Learn more and register now HERE.
Family Fun!!
Fruita United Methodist Church, 405 East Aspen
Navajo Taco Dinner (Dinner, dessert, and drink for $15)
November 8, 11 am – 2 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm - Take out available
AND - Bazaar and Cookie Walk - 11 am to 6:00 pmCatholic Outreach has its annual Empty Bowls this Month, October 11
Yoga in the Park
310 N. 7th St.Grand Junction, CO 81501
Price: $22
Time: 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Thursday
Family Fun Science Night
October 10, at 6:00 pm, (science fun & dinner is on us), at Redlands UMC, 527 Village Way, Grand Junction - Free
Local Vocals
48338 Powderhorn Rd.Mesa, CO 81643
Price: FREE
Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Sunday
MORE TO DO
Grand Rivers Humane Society has their dog adoption events (and sometimes cat adoption event) at Chow Down in the redlands every Saturday from 10-12:30.
October 5, at 2:00 pm Handbell concert at First Presbyterian Church, 3940 271/2 Road, Grand Jct.- FREE
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