24-04-2025
2025 GJEP Western Colorado Economic Summit
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) held its 2025 Western Colorado Economic Summit Thursday inside the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) ballroom.
'This is our third year in a row with a sellout crowd,' said Executive Director of GJEP Curtis Englehart.
'This is really just a showcase of the areas partnerships and collaborations that we have in place.'
The event kicked off at 8 a.m. and continued until 2 p.m. WesternSlopeNow caught two of the event speakers after their presentations. CMU Vice President of External Relations Derek Wagner discussed ways to improve and grow the workforce in the Grand Valley by offering those looking to complete their education a way to do so.
'The CMU Promise is a promise that we made to families statewide, that basically say, if you make $70,000 or less, you can come to this university, and we will find a way to pay for your tuition.'
Click here to learn more about CMU Promise.
Also taking the stage this morning was District 51 Superintendent Dr. Brian Hill. Hill talked about the challenges and successes currently facing D51, even though it is one of the least funded districts in the state.
'We do have financial challenges as a state and as a school district, being one of the lowest funded school districts in the state, but we've also been able to accomplish some really great things.'
Like community support for its students in apprentices, work-based learning opportunities and several construction projects around the district. Some are funded by bonds.
'We are able to do a $190 million bond without raising the tax rate. But we have over $600 million worth of differed maintenance needs in our buildings. So, this will take care a huge chunk of that.'
As for the future of the Western Slope economy, Englehart has a positive outlook.
'The future looks really bright on the Western Slope and in Mesa County.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
