Before the sun rose over the Bookcliffs last week, nearly 60 Mesa County business leaders boarded a bus in the dark, navigating the largest winter storm of 2026 to make a clear statement: Western Colorado’s voice belongs in the rooms where decisions are made. Our annual Legislative Days at the Capitol is not ceremonial. It…
As we approach the one-month mark of Colorado’s legislative session, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce (Grand Junction Chamber) is increasingly focused on what early proposals signal for the long-term business climate in Western Colorado. While many bills are still in their early stages, their direction matters. For businesses in our region, where markets…
National Entrepreneurship Week is more than a date on the calendar. It is a national moment that connects students, educators, business leaders, and communities in celebrating business creation and the next generation of innovators. For students in the Grand Junction Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy, this week reflects work that is already well underway. Entrepreneurship continues…
Running a business is not easy. Behind every storefront, service, and job is a long list of challenges that do not always make headlines. Tight margins. Workforce pressures. Rising costs. Constant change. Yet, across Mesa County, businesses show up every day anyway. They solve problems, support employees, and keep our local economy moving forward. That…
As the 2026 Colorado Legislative Session unfolds, one thing is already clear: despite early conversations about a nearly $1 billion projected budget shortfall, the pace and volume of legislation impacting Colorado employers has not slowed. If anything, the session is already off to a fast start. At the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, we are…
On Monday night, our Chamber joined community stakeholders, elected officials, and generations of agricultural producers for the unveiling of the newly released Economic Impact of Agriculture in Western Colorado. The room itself told a story before a single data point was shared. Producers whose families have worked the land for decades sat alongside policymakers, business…
The 2026 Colorado legislative session begins today, January 14th, launching 120 days of policy decisions that will directly affect employers, workers, and communities here in Mesa County. As lawmakers convene at the Colorado General Assembly, the business community is closely watching how this session will influence Colorado’s economic competitiveness and ability to protect and support…
As Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance program continues to evolve, Mesa County employers are adjusting to changes that affect workforce planning, payroll administration, and compliance responsibilities. As we move into 2026, there are several updates to the FAMLI program employers should be aware of, along with an anticipated federal change that has been delayed….
Strong local economies are built over time through steady investment in people, information, and opportunity. In 2025, Mesa County businesses faced rising costs, workforce shortages, and continued uncertainty tied to national and global forces. Throughout the year, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce focused on ensuring employers were supported with practical tools, reliable information,…
Earlier this week, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce convened a sold-out room of business leaders, elected officials, stakeholders, and community members for its Annual Economic Outlook, underscoring a shared investment in Mesa County’s economic future. Held at the Grand Junction Convention Center, the event brought together representatives from across the business community, local…