Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Grand Junction’s fall leaves just saved the city $50,000
You won't want to miss Grand Valley Regional Transportation Committee (GVRTC) Monthly Meeting on the Grand Junction Patch calendar

Good morning Grand Junction! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Grand Junction’s fall leaves just saved the city $50,000
- Are your holiday packages safe from Mesa County’s porch pirates?
- What nearly $8 million in state funds means for Liberty Apartments
Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Grand Junctionfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Sun and areas of high clouds, with a high of 56 and low of 34 degrees.
- Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 56, low: 35.
- Sunday: Turning cloudy, with a high of 62 and low of 36 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. City of Grand Junction repurposes leaves to restore Watson Island (westernslopenow.com) — Grand Junction is turning thousands of cubic yards of collected fall leaves into compost to restore vegetation on Watson Island along the Colorado River, saving about $50,000 in the process. The city’s General Services and Parks and Recreation departments say the effort boosts soil health, supports the disc golf course, and makes the riverside area more enjoyable for walkers and nearby residents.
![]()
Find out what's happening in Grand Junctionfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Mesa County Sheriff's Office warns of 'Porch Pirates' as holiday delivery season arrives (westernslopenow.com) — Grand Junction residents are being urged by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office to protect their holiday deliveries from so‑called porch pirates as packages begin piling up on doorsteps. Investigators recommend using doorbell cameras when possible, leaning on trusted neighbors to grab boxes, and even using Fruita Police Department’s station as a safe delivery address for gifts.
![]()
3. Local affordable rental housing project given $7.9 million from state (westernslopenow.com) — A new Grand Junction project, Liberty Apartments on Stacy Drive, just secured nearly $8 million in state Proposition 123 equity funds to build affordable, net‑zero rental housing. With city support and strict construction deadlines, the first phase will add 72 one- and two-bedroom units for households earning 60–100% of area median income, helping ease local housing pressures.
![]()
4. The 29th annual Homeless Memorial Service was held today (kjct8.com) — Grand Junction community members gathered at Hawthorne Park today for the 29th annual Homeless Memorial Service, honoring 39 people who died while experiencing homelessness. Local outreach leaders and agencies shared prayers, rang bells, and hung ribbons, stressing collaboration and compassion in supporting vulnerable neighbors across the Grand Valley.
![]()
5. Falcon High School wrestling team raises funds to support Grand Junction after bus crash (krdo.com) — Grand Junction High School wrestlers injured in a recent team bus crash are getting support from fellow athletes across the state, as Falcon High School raised funds during a recent match to help them recover. Investigators say a speeding car hit the Grand Junction team bus while they were returning from a meet, and Falcon’s coach and athletes quickly organized a fundraiser to aid the western slope community.
![]()
📸 Around Grand Junction
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Junction
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Grand Valley Regional Transportation Committee (GVRTC) Monthly Meeting
Grand Junction, CO Calendar , City Hall Auditorium 250 North , Grand Junction
3:00 pm - Gentle Yoga
Grand Junction, CO Calendar Grand Junction, CO 81501 - Holiday - Christmas Day - City Offices Closed
Grand Junction, CO Calendar Grand Junction, CO 81501 - Downtown Development Authority/Downtown Grand Junction Business Improvement District
Grand Junction, CO Calendar Grand Junction, CO 81501
7:30 am
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
Thursday December 25
📣 Grand Junction Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Family Storytime - Orchard Mesa Branch
Orchard Mesa Branch
10:00 am - Kids Club - Clifton Branch Library
Clifton Branch Library Clifton Branch
2:30 pm - COPPER CLUB BREWING COMPANY
Copper Club Brewing Company , 153 N Mulberry St , Fruita
10:30 am - Ugly Sweater run w/Copper Club Brewing
COPPER CLUB BREWING COMPANY , 145 N Mesa St , Fruita
10:30 am - Cookies & Claus
Fruita Community Center , 324 N Coulson St , Fruita
6:00 pm - Cavalcade's Monthly Variety Show
Cavalcade , 201 E Aspen Ave , Fruita
7:30 pm - Bilingual Storytime (Hora de Cuentos Bilingüe) - Clifton Branch Library. In-Person
Clifton Branch Children's Center , Clifton Branch
10:00 am - Cirque Musica
The Avalon Theatre , 645 Main St , Grand Junction
7:00 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Still have not found the owner, we can’t keep the guy here for too long.
If you have facebook feel free to post the pictures if you are willing! I will still need someone to verify and prove if you believe this is your… (Nextdoor Downtown Grand Junction) - Obi has been found
Lost Brittany spaniel this morning 9 AM December 17 off of 20 and Broadway comes to the name. Obie has an orange collar no tags please call John at… (Nextdoor Redlands Community)
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Grand Junction. Apply here.
- Walmart posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Grand Junction. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Junction here.
Ok Grand Junction! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.