MARCH 25 - APRIL 1, 2026
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS SINCE 1994
Who oversees Mesa County Public Health’s finances? Brandon Leuallen
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The Business Times
series of financial controversies involving Mesa County Public Health over the past several years has exposed gaps in oversight, procurement practices and internal controls, prompting ongoing efforts by county officials to strengthen accountability for taxpayer dollars. The most recent issue involves former Executive Director Xavier Crockett, whose use of a county purchasing card led to a settlement agreement and ended a short-term advisory contract earlier this year. That situation follows earlier controversies involving former Behavioral Health Director Lisa Mills and former Mesa County Public Health Executive Director Jeff Kuhr, whose tenure prompted an independent forensic review of the department’s contracting and procurement practices. Taken together, the three cases highlight different types of financial concerns but raise a central question: Who oversees how public funds are managed within an independent health department, and how can similar issues be prevented? Procurement breakdown drove Kuhr review The situation centered on Kuhr in 2023 led to a forensic review conducted by Hammer Consulting and Forensics at the request of the Mesa County Attorney. See story Page 5
VOLUME 33, ISSUE 13
THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM
Iconic Ice Cream Shop For Sale
Graff Dairy’s owners look to retire, but not until they sell it to someone who will continue the ice cream shop’s 60-year tradition— See Page 2 Graff Dairy as it stands today at 581 29 Road. The store, known for the soft-serve ice cream it has been making since the mid-1960s, underwent a major renovation and addition in 2015 by Darin Carei, who sold the business to Ed and Lloy Beauchamp in 2022. However, Carei remained owner of the building and land that Graff Dairy occupies, and now that the Beauchamps are trying to sell the business, Carei has listed the real estate for sale in case that package offering is needed to net a buyer. Photo by Tim Harty.
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