- The Slope Scoop
- Posts
- Weekly Check In on the Western Slope
Weekly Check In on the Western Slope
I wrote this one just for you!
The Slope Scoop
February 28, 2025
Thank you as always for the support! If you enjoy this newsletter, please do me a favor and stop right now. Copy this link → https://localbuzz.beehiiv.com/subscribe and send it to a friend or share it on social media to keep more people up to date on events going around the Western Slope!
Photo of The Week
“Gorgeous day up at Arrowhead” by Sharon Pilcher
If you have a photo of the Western Slope, submit it by responding to this via email and I will include it!
In this edition:
Psychiatric Hosptial Closing in GJ
New Tech Clinic at CMU
Snowball Sweepstakes
Warmer weather means more 5K runs and more outside events!
Housing
Mortgage rates are showing a promising shift, dipping from 7.16% on January 6th down to 6.87% today. This decline might not seem huge, but it could open new doors for homebuyers and offer meaningful savings for those considering buying—every bit helps in today’s market!
Market Stats:
Average Sales Price: $460,847 (+$3,630 from last week)
Median Sales Price: $400,000 (no change from last week)
Inventory Levels:
Number of New Listings: 58 (-20 from last week)
Average Days on Market: 88 (-2 from last week)
Total Active Listings: 546 (-19 from last week)Source: Skyler Kraai with Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties
News
Grand Junction Psychiatric Hospital to Close
West Springs Hospital in Grand Junction will permanently close on March 10, leaving a significant gap in Western Slope behavioral health resources. The facility is currently the only inpatient psychiatric hospital between Denver and Salt Lake City.
Leadership from Mind Springs Health announced the closure on Feb. 24, citing West Springs’ financial challenges, uncertainty around the future of Medicaid and health care, and underutilization of its resources.
West Springs has 48 inpatient beds and a psychiatric emergency department for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Outpatient services — including outpatient psychiatry services, withdrawal management, therapy and more — offered at the Grand Junction campus will not be impacted by the closure, according to the hospital’s statement.
Marillac Health partnering with CMU Tech for new clinic
Marillac Health is opening a new clinic this August. Among other new features, they will be partnering with Colorado Mesa University Tech to provide opportunities for students.
Kristy Schmidt, Marillac Health’s Chief Development Officer told us CMU Tech is starting a dental hygiene program. Marillac’s new site will provide resources for them. Schmidt said they will have a training room for the program. She also said CMU Tech will be able to hold classes and do clinicals using the new location’s dental operatories.
Schmidt believes it will be a great opportunity. “We’re very excited about this and very excited that they are creating and developing a brand-new program in their curriculum to be able to train dental hygienists that will all be able to take advantage. Of course, you know, in the years to come,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt also said most of the classes will take place during the evenings and weekends, outside of the clinic’s hours.
Business Highlight
Montrose Center for Arts Relocates
Montrose Center for Arts is THE PLACE to see art created by Western Slope Artists, take art classes taught by Western Slope Artists, and attend events celebrating arts on the Western Slope. Art at Montrose Center for Arts allows visitors to escape the everyday, replenish their souls, and challenge them to new experiences. Montrose Center for Arts encourages people to become involved in the Montrose arts community
Local Community
GJ Rotary Club’s Snowball Sweepstakes just one week away
On Thursday, Wayne Sallade from the Rotary Club of Grand Junction joined WesternSlopeNow to share the details of the upcoming Snowball Sweepstakes!
The Snowball Sweepstakes involves organizers releasing 100 exercise balls down Powderhorn Ski Resort’s Wonder Bump. The grand prize is $5,000. The event supports over 30 local nonprofit organizations.
This year it’s on Saturday, March 8. Events begin at 11 a.m. and the balls roll at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 for 1, $20 for 5, and $100 for 30.
If you want more information or want to buy tickets, click here!
Western Slope Sports!
High School Basketball Brackets are Out
For classes 6A and 5A Colorado, the playoff brackets have been revealed. New this year, 40 teams qualify for the playoffs in each class. Seeds 40 through 26 will play each other Tuesday and Wednesday, as the top 25 seeds earn byes for round one. Round two begins Friday. Here’s who local teams will be playing this week:
Exciting Events: February
This section only includes local upcoming events. Feel free to submit yours!
Sports
Saint Patty's Day 5k run/walk
March 15th at Handlebar Taphouse
Wear your greenest green and get ready for a Saint Patrick’s Day themed social event benefiting the Roice-Hurst humane society.
Bring the family and your 4 legged best buddies, Kids 12 and under run free. Enjoy the post run festivities including craft brews, hot chocolate and fun fitness games.---> Striders members save $5 on registration with the code GREEN25, learn more and sign up here: https://grandvalleybrewruns.com/saint-pattys-run-w-handlebar-tap-house/
Join Life's 2 Short Fitness and Girls on the Run to train for a spring trail race!
Life's 2 Short Fitness has teamed up with Girls on the Run to organize a trail running program just for women in the Grand Valley!
This 8 week program kicking off in March includes 2-3 coached runs, clinics and conditioning sessions a week with the option to participate in a spring trail race with the group.
Enjoy expert coaching, meet new running buddies and explore new trails. Participants will receive a custom 8 week training plan (including strength workouts) and a discount code to participate in the Fruit Trail half marathon.
Learn more/register now soon, spaces are limited!
Family Fun
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Dates: Feb 28th at 7pm
March 1st 2pm & 7pm
March 2nd 2pm
Location: The Art Center of Western Colorado 1803 N 7th Street GJ, CO
Tickets: Adults $30
Students/Seniors $25
Available at: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — Theatre Project of Grand Junction
Power + Love Lifestyle Christian
Date Night 🎆
Montrose Farmers' Market - Winter Market
99 S Uncompahgre Ave, Montrose, CO 81401
Dates: 3/1/2025, 3/15/2025, 3/29/2025, 4/12/2025, 4/26/2025
Location: Centennial Plaza
Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Price: Free
Events at Endless Pastabilities in Montrose!
Friday 2/21 - S.H.H. Trio Live Jazz, Blues, & Pop 6-8pm
Saturday 2/22 - Karaoke 7:30-Midnight
Friday 2/28 - OPEN Mic Night 7pm
Saturday 3/1 - Karaoke 7:30-Midnight
Thank you so much for your support!
Please send in news tips
New business openings
Events
Anything else you want the Western Slope to see.
I will include as many relevant submissions as I can FOR FREE!
If you enjoyed this edition, share this link with others!
P.S. If you want to get your business in front of thousands of local folks, reply to this email and we can talk about our advertising options.
See you next week!