Historically, decision-making about river corridor land-use, habitat management, and water use across the Grand Valley has occurred over dozens of agencies and stakeholder groups without a cohesive, coordinated vision. To address this gap, RiversEdge West, One Riverfront, and the Ruth Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University created the River Corridor Initiative to help develop a unified community vision for the river corridor and identify activities to realize that vision.
In 2021, the Initiative gathered public input to develop a unified community vision for the river corridor and identify activities to realize that vision. Along with stakeholder outreach, the group conducted an initial assessment of the key issues affecting the river corridor, hosted stakeholder workshops, and recently received funding to carry out fluvial hazard zone mapping. Fluvial hazard zone mapping is used to identify lands most vulnerable to damaging high river flows. This mapping will identify specific areas within the watershed that are appropriate for future development and those that are appropriate for conservation.
The Grand Valley River Corridor Initiative held a series of focus groups in the fall of 2021:
September 24, 9:15am - 11:15am, Mesa County Public Library - Central
Participants: Public Agencies and Water Providers
October 12, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Colorado Mesa University, University Center Room 213
Participants: Residents and Community Groups Representing People who live near the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers
October 29, 9:15am - 11:15am, Mesa County Public Library - Central
Participants: Recreational users, businesses and nonprofit organizations with interests in the river corridor
November 10, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Colorado Mesa University, University Center Ballroom
Participants: Interested people who didn't attend a prior focus group