JUNE 10 - 17, 2026
VOLUME 33, ISSUE 24
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS SINCE 1994
GJ City Council approves change for enforcement of camping ban Brandon Leuallen
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THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM
Hoping hospice message hits home
The Business Times
ast week, after nearly three hours of public comment and debate, the Grand Junction City Council voted 5-2 to remove from the city’s camping ordinance some language that prevented enforcement of a camping ban when no overnightshelter beds are available. Grand Junction has prohibited camping on public property since 2019. However, city officials argued the recent closure of Homeward Bound’s North Avenue shelter and consolidation of services into the Pathways shelter reduced the availability of overnight shelter beds and made portions of the ordinance effectively unenforceable. Under the previous language, officers were required to determine whether overnight shelter was available before enforcing the camping ban. City officials said that requirement became increasingly difficult to meet after the North Avenue shelter consolidated into the Pathways shelter. Supporters argued the change is necessary to address growing public-safety, environmental and wildfire concerns associated with encampments on public property. Opponents questioned what will happen to people living in those camps, particularly those who may not qualify for available shelter beds or housing programs. See story Page 5
HopeWest rolled out an ad campaign to show hospice is about living comfortably and more fully at the end of life— See Page 2 This marketing photo from HopeWest shows that some hospice patients choose to remain active during their time receiving hospice care. HopeWest President and CEO Deneen Silva said hospice patients have different goals for how they want to spend their remaining time. Three common approaches are: Patients want the companionship of family and friends; they want to be as active as possible and do things like attend events their grandchildren participate in; or they don’t want to feel any pain and would like to sleep through their remaining days. “We meet people where they are. We’re working with them as an individual in their plan of care,” Silva said, “and that’s different for everyone.” Photo courtesy of HopeWest.
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