By Curtis Englehart, Executive Director for Grand Junction Economic Partnership (Originally published in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel – August 19, 2025 ) 

The Riverfront at Las Colonias has been a popular topic of discussion. While recent headlines have drawn attention to a single amenity, we’d like to take this opportunity to share the broader story: one of bold vision, meaningful investment, and long-term community impact.  

A Bold Vision 

To understand Las Colonias is to understand Grand Junction’s legacy of resilience and reinvention. In 1899, the city donated land for the Colorado Sugar Manufacturing Company, transforming the area into an agricultural hub. The company later built housing nearby to accommodate the migrant workers, primarily Mexican-American families who labored in the fields and factories. The name “Las Colonias” honors these Latino communities who lived and worked along the riverfront long before the site became home to the Climax Uranium Mill in the 1950s. 

That transition marked Grand Junction’s entry into the atomic age, as the site was repurposed for uranium processing, an era that left lasting contamination in the soil and waterways. After the mill closed, the land deteriorated further, serving as a junkyard for years before being reclaimed and revitalized into the community asset it is today  

Today, the property has become a celebrated community gathering place featuring festivals, a 5,000-seat amphitheater averaging 15-20 concerts a year, and nearby amenities including a botanical garden, dog park, newly renovated brewery, an RV park, multi-family housing, and a business park designed to support economic diversification and job creation. 

To transform Las Colonias from a superfund site to the final gem in the “string of pearls” along our community’s riverfront required extensive vision, partnership, and cooperation at the federal, state, and local levels, engaging government, non-profits, and businesses alike. This public-private partnership has been a model for reinvention, winning the EPA’s 2023 Phoenix Award, and standing as an example for many other communities.  

Las Colonias has been the site of great triumphs and hardships, but it always has and will always be, a community asset. Transparency is essential and as the Board President for the Las Colonias Development Corporation (LCDC) and Executive Director for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP), we welcome questions, ideas, and conversations on how this shared space continues to evolve.  

How Does Development at Las Colonias Work?  

A critical component in Las Colonias’ planning was the understanding it would be used to attract businesses to add to the region’s economic base and create new jobs. Among the 140-acre park, fifteen acres are designated as a business park to support economic development.  

The original vision for the business park was to recruit outdoor companies to Grand Junction and at times, it’s seemed like development at Las Colonias has been slow going. In recent years, the business park has expanded its target focus to additional industries, supporting both business recruitment and local expansion.  

As a reclamation property, the land may not be bought or sold, but instead, operates on a 99-year leasing model. This unique model is a powerful economic development tool offering:  

• Shovel-ready pad sites with no money down required 

• Zero interest for the life of the land lease 

• Flexible lease terms with the option to stretch payments over 99 years 

• Flexible pad sizes 

• Once the value of the land has been paid, the lease drops to zero 

More importantly, not just anyone can build at Las Colonias. All proposals are reviewed by the Las Colonias Development Corporation, a non-profit with representation from Grand Junction City Council, GJEP, the Downtown Development Authority, and local businesses. Each project must align with the long-term vision for the park and our regional economy.  

Economic Growth & What’s on the Horizon  

The creation of the Riverfront at Las Colonias has spurred significant economic development for Grand Junction that goes beyond the property itself. The anchor tenant, Bonsai Design, has welcomed seven additional businesses into their facility, including three that are new to the Grand Junction area. Bonsai Design and its CEO, Thaddeus Shrader, were instrumental in the design and development of the business park, shaping its early development and path forward. 

Construction is nearly complete on the local expansion of OakStar Bank’s new 12,000 square foot mixed-used facility which will add office space and available restaurant/retail to the riverfront.  Additionally, on the northeast side of the business park, new construction is planned with the addition of approximately 55,185 square-feet in built-to-suite light industrial space, opening the doors for more companies to grow at Las Colonias.  

Beyond the business park, Las Colonias has become a catalyst for additional development, including the Camp Eddy RV Park, The Eddy Apartments, and the Kimball Residence project, currently under construction. Together, these efforts are bringing new life to the riverfront through expanded lodging and housing opportunities. In total, these residential developments will deliver 260 new units, helping to meet critical housing needs and supporting the growing local workforce.  

Looking Ahead 

We recognize the frustration some community members feel about the inactive zipline and Rocky Mounts’ departure from Las Colonias. While these elements were part of the original vision for the area, they represent only a small chapter in the broader story of Las Colonias’ ongoing evolution and impact. 

The broader reality is that this once contaminated site has become a place where businesses grow, people gather, and our community thrives. Grand Junction is a community that turns challenges into opportunities and Las Colonias is no different. As we continue to learn, adapt, and invest in this space, we remain committed to keeping it a place that reflects the vision and character of who Grand Junction is and what we can become.  

If you are interested in learning about economic development in the region and business growth at Las Colonias, please contact me by emailing curtis@gjep.org.