Riverfront Trail connection agreement approved

The Riverfront Trail is one step closer to becoming a fully connected pathway! During the July 9 administrative public hearing, the Mesa County Board of Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Grand Junction and Colorado Parks and Wildlife to purchase the title for property needed to connect existing sections of the Riverfront Trail. This will allow for the construction of the missing section of trail between Las Colonias Park and 29 Road. The three agencies will each pay for one-third of the nearly $1.7 million property, with the County’s share amounting to $555,000 plus applicable closing costs.

Of the 12 acres being purchased, approximately five acres will accommodate the trail as an easement, and the remaining seven acres will be used for yet undesignated public purposes. The City of Grand Junction will take ownership of the land's title and be responsible for its administration. If any portion of the property is not used for the trail or public purposes and is sold in the future, the proceeds will be split evenly between Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction.

The trail's design and construction will begin in 2025, and the project's anticipated completion is in 2026. After the completion of this section, the Riverfront Trail will span uninterrupted from Loma to Clifton.