Why are some street signs green, and others blue?

Drivers can travel on roads maintained by several government agencies during a single trip, often without realizing it.

Responsibility depends on the road’s location and classification. The Colorado Department of Transportation maintains Interstate 70 and state and federal highways. Mesa County maintains most local roads in unincorporated areas, including Clifton. Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade generally maintain local roads within their municipal boundaries. 

Patterson Road is one example. Heading east, Patterson Road is maintained by the City of Grand Junction from west of 24 Road to near 31 Road. As the road leaves the city, it becomes F Road and responsibility shifts to Mesa County. At the I-70 Business Loop in Clifton, the road becomes U.S. 6, which CDOT maintains.

There are visual cues for these changes. Grand Junction generally uses blue street signs, most have the city logo on them as well. In Mesa County, outside the limits of a city or a town, the street signs are green. State and federal highways are identified by numbered route signs and have “CO,” “U.S.” or “HWY” in the name, such as U.S. 6 and Colorado Highway 141.

Watch the video below to follow the jurisdiction changes along Patterson Road.

Road Problem Reporter

Knowing who maintains a road also helps residents know where to report a problem.

Residents can use the Road Problem Reporter to report potholes, drainage issues and other nonemergency concerns on roads maintained by Mesa County. The online tool allows residents to quickly flag issues on county roads. Reports go directly to Road and Bridge crews, helping them identify and prioritize repairs.

How it works

Using the tool, residents can:

• Pinpoint the exact location of an issue on a map
• Upload photos to show what's happening
• Submit concerns in just a few minutes

While crews regularly monitor roads, residents often spot issues first. Reporting concerns helps crews respond faster and address problems before they get worse.

Reports are reviewed and prioritized based on safety, severity and location.

Some issues can be addressed quickly, while others may require more planning or coordination. Submitting a report ensures the issue is logged and considered as crews plan their work.

Your input helps keep roads safer and supports better maintenance across Mesa County.