Las Colonias is shaping up to be one of the primer city parks in The Grand Valley. This Superfund Site was just an open field a few years ago but the City of Grand Junction is turning it into a great place to spend a lazy afternoon, see a concert, let your dog play, play disc golf, and conduct business.

As I’m writing this, in December of 2019, a lot has already been constructed including a top-notch amphitheater, a few ponds (one in the shape of a butterfly), a fenced dog park, parking, and the finishing touches are being put on two river features that will make play waves for surfing (ABOUT DAMN TIME!!!). The Botanical Gardens (nick named the Butterfly House by most locals) had been one of the only non-industrial element in this area for years and it’s now surrounded with an amazing place to spend a weekend or a few hours after work.

Along with all of this recreation, a business park is being built to encourage businesses, centered in the outdoor industry, to move to the area and operate here. The amphitheater is a great outdoor venue for concerts and festivals like Pork and Hops. One of Grand Junction’s best microbreweries has a bottling facility and taproom smack dab in the middle of it all. Colorado Discover Ability has also moved its headquarters down next to the Butterfly House, this non profit provides opportunities for adaptive clients to get out on the river or have guided bike rides leaving and returning to their building right off the River Front Trail.

With each passing year more and more is being developed here making this place even better. Companies are moving to town to open up shop in the business park that will bring new tax revenue to the city. Other elements of the park, like the amphitheater and the coming rental shop, also bring revenue to the city. The City and everyone working on this project is creating a place that everyone living in the area can benefit from without a huge impact on the local tax payer.

Oh, and there’s now a boat ramp allowing river access to the Colorado River.