AUGUST 6 - 13, 2025
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS SINCE 1994
VOLUME 32, ISSUE 30
THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM
City manager sits down to talk shop Brandon Leuallen The Business Times
W
hen Mike Bennett became Grand Junction’s city manager after coming over from the same position in Fruita in December 2024, he stepped into the role with a clear focus: Build a healthy organization from the inside out. At the time, the city was in the midst of multiple controversial projects and heading into a spring election that would bring significant change to the city council, which resulted in three new members and one re-elected member who became mayor. As Bennet settled into his role, and now eight months in, he has directed his energy toward the future, guided by a long-term mindset rooted in sound decision-making, efficiency and building trust with the community. His focus is on strengthening the internal foundation of city government by reinforcing core services, improving operations and, above all, earning public confidence. Three focus areas highlighted “Three things that have really been on my mind are purpose, relationships of trust, and efficiency,” he said. “That’s what I want to focus on in a forward-facing approach.” See CITY MANAGER on Page 2
Purpose, Trust, Efficiency
Mike Bennett reflects on his first 8 months as GJ’s city manager and what he hopes to accomplish. — See story, Page 2
City Manager Mike Bennett, shown during an interview with the Business Times on July 30, said the lessons he learned as city manager in Fruita helped him, and they’re shaping his approach to leadership in Grand Junction. Photo by Tim Harty.
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