JANUARY 21 - 28, 2026
THE DEFINITIVE SOURCE FOR GRAND JUNCTION BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS SINCE 1994
D51 juniors glimpse future in workforce Brandon Leuallen
A
The Business Times
bout 1,150 high school juniors from across Mesa County Valley School District 51 descended on the campus of Colorado Mesa University on Jan. 15 for Workforce Development Day, taking part in career-focused breakout sessions designed to help students explore post-graduation pathways. The annual event brought students together for a day of hands-on workshops, presentations, and conversations with educators, workforce professionals and local employers. Students rotated through breakout sessions covering entrepreneurship, construction and skilled trades, financial literacy, résumé building and career planning. The event was designed to expose students to a wide range of career options, including college, technical education, apprenticeships and direct entry into the workforce. Hosting the event on CMU’s campus also gave students firsthand exposure to a postsecondary environment while connecting classroom learning to real-world opportunities. Local innovation and business development An entrepreneurship-focused breakout session introduced students to local business development resources and real-world examples of turning ideas into sustainable companies. See story Page 5
VOLUME 33, ISSUE 4
THEBUSINESSTIMES.COM
Palisade seeks sewer solution Town of Palisade faces a tightening deadline and limited funds to complete sewer project.— See Page 2
Wastewater lagoons operated in the Town of Palisade by the Colorado River. The town plans to decommission the lagoons as part of a long-term effort to transfer wastewater treatment to the Clifton Sanitation District. Photo by Brandon Leuallen.
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