Coming Soon: New Home for Homeward Bound, PBS’s Colorado Experience, Lodging Tax on the Ballot

A New Home for HomewardBound

Homelessness can impact anyone, even children. As the only shelter in the region that lends a hand to families, children, singles, people with disabilities, and veterans, HomewardBound understands this well.

Last year, the organization assisted 43 families, including nearly 100 children. In an effort to reach more of these most vulnerable members of the community, HomewardBound is planning a new shelter for women and families.

The facility will include 80 beds, a medical shelter with a health-care provider, a commercial kitchen, a children’s library, and rooms for training and coaching. It will also house administration and partner organizations that help families move beyond homelessness. Space freed up in the existing North Avenue location will enable HomewardBound to serve more single men and veterans.

HomewardBound received commitments for 75 percent of its $4.9 million fundraising goal. It plans to break ground on the building, located at 564 29 Road, by the beginning of next year. For more information, or to donate to this worthy cause, visit homewardboundgv.org.

The Colorado Experience

Western Colorado figures big in the sixth season of Rocky Mountain PBS’s Colorado Experience, the state’s premier history documentary series.

Colorado Mesa University’s producer-in-residence, Dan Garrison, worked with CMU mass communication students to create two of the series’ latest episodes: “Sheep & Cattle Wars” and “The Wickiup Investigation: Ute Pathways.” Many longtime Grand Valley families are featured in “Sheep & Cattle Wars,” while “Wickiup” includes local experts from Grand Junction and the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose.

Another episode of local interest is “Cheers to Beers,” which tells the history of beer in Colorado. RMPBS will host a free screening party at Edgewater Brewery (905 Struthers Ave.) on Thursday, September 20 at 6:30pm.

To view the episodes, tune in to RMPBS (channel 18.1) at 7:30pm on the following air dates, or watch online (video.rmpbs.org/show/colorado-experience) the day after.

• “Cheers to Beers,” 9/27/18

• “Sheep & Cattle Wars,” 12/19/18

• “The Wickiup Investigation,” 1/31/19

Can’t wait to watch? No problem. Past CMU/RMPBS productions — including “Uranium Mania,” “White Gold,” “KKK,” “Dinosaurs,” and “Centennial Farms” — are available now for online enjoyment.

Lodging Tax on the Ballot

Touted as “The Tax You Don’t Pay,” an increase in the Grand Junction lodging tax is on the ballot for November.

Originally approved in 1989, the 3 percent lodging tax would double to 6 percent. This amounts to an additional $2.55 per night per room, based on the current average daily lodging rate of $85. The lodging tax is paid solely by travelers and tourists purchasing overnight accommodation, with no direct tax impact on local residents.

In 2017, the lodging tax generated $1.46 million. Additionally, Grand Junction benefited from $282.3 million in direct travel spending, with over 5,500 jobs and nearly $140 million in tourism-related wages.

Funds generated by the lodging tax increase will be split between Visit Grand Junction, the Grand Junction Regional Air Service Alliance, and the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission for destination marketing, enhanced air service, and additional sports-related tourism and events, all of which contribute significantly to our local economy.