Local Community Problems - Regional Information Sources

Includes a section on drug-related deaths in Mesa County in 2021

Report from the Mesa County Coroner's Office, released January 2019

From the Grand Junction Police Department 2022, past years also available.

From the Mesa County Sherrif's Office 2022

KJCT News story from August 2021, Noting overdose trends during the pandemic and an increase in overdose deaths in Mesa County 2019-2020.

This September 2, 2019 article considers drug use and overdose deaths in Grand Junction, commemorating International Overdose Awareness Day.

The Mesa County Opioid Response Group, facilitated by Mesa County Public Health (MCPH), identifies strategies to address opioid use in Mesa County

A handout of current statistics concerning opioid abuse in Mesa County with prevention initiative information, from the Mesa County Department of Health and the Mesa County Opiod Response Group.

This profile summarizes controlled substance prescriptions that Mesa County residents received through 2017, prescribing practices and patient behaviors, population-level healthcare encounters and deaths related to opioid overdose among Mesa County residents. This information is from several sources: The Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), emergency department visit and hospital discharge databases and death certificates.

Annual report for 2021 on substance abuse trends and state-level efforts to address the problem.

Includes some updates on progress made by the Mesa County Opioid Response Group.

Includes a section on drug-related risk behaviors, including adolescent use of prescription opiods without a prescription.

Provides information on population demographics, social and economic indicators, insurance and access to health care, chronic disease, communicable diseases, maternal and child health, preventable injuries and deaths (including suicide and alcohol-induced deaths), homelessness, and obesity. Includes analysis of health care services and barriers to care. Use Ctrl + F to search on a subject keyword.

Reports on the extent of the opiod crisis in Colorado and efforts to address the problem. Also includes news stories from different perspectives around the problem.

Resources and presentations from the 2020 Colorado Opioid Safety Summit - From the Colorado Hospital Association

A 2016 report from the Mesa County Department of Human Services.

A Report Pursuant to Senate Bill 13‐283 tracking the impact of the law.

This report considers the impacts of legalization on marijuana use and abuse in Colorado.

Substance abuse recovery services, treatment and education classes offered to adults from the community or the criminal justice system

Adult Protection (AP) serves as a program coordinating support for adults at risk for abuse.

Guidance on when and how to report abuse, caretaker neglect, and exploitation - from Mesa County Adult Protective Services

Provides information to promote statewide understanding of elder/at-risk adult abuse and the rights and protections available to elder and at-risk adults.

Overview of Colorado's Mandatory Reporting Law for Elder Abuse - from the Colorado Bar Association

Includes demographic statistics for Grand Junction.

Includes demographic statistics for Mesa County.

This 2013 Daily Sentinel article describes some common signs and stories of elder abuse.

The annual report from the state department of Adult Protective Services provides statistics on abuse, reporting laws, as well as descriptions of at risk populations.

A 2021 article from The Daily Sentinel newspaper.

March 2022 article on the potential impact of the merger between SCL (parent company for St. Mary's Hospital) and Utah-based Intermountain Healthcare on health care access and costs

Includes current assessments of health care access and obstacles to care in Mesa County.

Includes a section on access to health care, including difficulty in getting timely appointments with a doctor and statistics on the prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in Mesa County.

Provides information on population demographics, social and economic indicators, insurance and access to health care, chronic disease, communicable diseases, maternal and child health, preventable injuries and deaths (including suicide and alcohol-induced deaths), homelessness, and obesity. Includes analysis of health care services and barriers to care. Use Ctrl + F to search on a subject keyword.

This 2015 article from the New York Times takes a close look at health care spending IN GRAND JUNCTION, both Medicare costs and spending for the privately insured.

Infographic from the Daily Sentinel, February 17, 2018.

Provides information on health care costs for particular regions/cities in Colorado, including Western Colorado and Grand Junction.

Designed for consumer information, this resource details essential health insurance benefits and types of health insurance and reports on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Colorado. It also provides health cost data by geographic region.

This 2015 article from The Denver Post considers the costs of hospital stays and treatment for general and specific conditions in Grand Junction.

This 2013 article from The Atlantic analyzes the health care structure in Grand Junction, with particular attention to care coordination and payment incentives that can decrease costs for some patients.

From the Colorado Children’s Campaign, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization. Includes information on child poverty, health, education, housing, and overall well being, with comparisons between Mesa County and other areas in the state.

Provides current economic indicators, reports on industry, demographic, and newsworthy trends.

From the Colorado Secretary of State - Includes an analysis of economic trends statewide. For up-to-date information, look for the most recent quarterly report.

From the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Includes employment, unemployment, and wage statistics.

Provides key economic indicators for Mesa County. Published quarterly.

May 2022 article on the impact of inflation on small businesses in Mesa County

From the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Includes information on the economic stability of Mesa County as well as demographic trends.

Includes a section the economy and work environment in Mesa County.

Provides information on population demographics, social and economic indicators, insurance and access to health care, chronic disease, communicable diseases, maternal and child health, preventable injuries and deaths (including suicide and alcohol-induced deaths), homelessness, and obesity. Includes analysis of health care services and barriers to care. Use Ctrl + F to search on a subject keyword.

An overview of Colorado's economy and economic regions, from the Colorado General Assembly, Legislative Council

Provides a monthly indication of Colorado workforce and employment measures, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The security report provides information about crime prevention and safety programs on campus, information for victims of crimes, fire safety and steps to be taken in case of an emergency. The security report also tracks reported crimes on and around campus over the last three years.

From the Grand Junction Police Department 2022

From the Grand Junction Police Department 2022

From the Mesa County Sherrif's Office 2022

From the Mesa County Sherrif's Office 2022

Provides statistics and annual reports for the Grand Junction Police Department, Communications Center (handling 911 calls), and Traffic Accidents.

A September 2020 article from The Daily Sentinel

The number and rate of arrests in Colorado by metropolitan area. From the FBI's 2019 (most recent) Uniform Crime Report.

This Daily Sentinel article from February 2018 provides the District Attorney's analysis of an increase in felony crimes in Mesa County.

A 2021 infographic from The Daily Sentinel newspaper.

A 2021 infographic from The Daily Sentinel newspaper.

Daily Sentinel article from April 2016 concerning crime statistics for Grand Junction.

This Colorado Public Radio story considers 2016 crime rate data from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

March 2017 news story from KKCO on Grand Junction Police Department statistics.

A gateway for information on violent crime, hate crime, property crime, drug crime and motor vehicle crimes.

Includes updated statistics and reports on efforts to address teen pregnancy in Mesa County. Use Ctrl + F + pregnancy to find these sections.

Provides updated information on teen pregnancy in Mesa County. Use Ctrl + F + pregnancy to find those sections.

Provides information on population demographics, social and economic indicators, insurance and access to health care, chronic disease, communicable diseases, maternal and child health, preventable injuries and deaths (including suicide and alcohol-induced deaths), homelessness, and obesity. Includes analysis of health care services and barriers to care. Use Ctrl + F to search on a subject keyword.

Resources for teens from the Mesa County Department of Health concerning pregnancy and sexual health.

Statistics on teen preganancy in Colorado, with some demographic info. From the Office of Adolescent Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This report is the result of community conversations in Pueblo, Boulder, Aurora, Glenwood Springs and Greeley, and a survey of 52 Colorado counties.

May 2021 story from Colorado Public Radio

May 2021 article from The Colorado Sun about the experiences of pregnant teens in Mesa County

Daily Sentinel article from April 2011 concerning parent responses to a Mesa County Health Department survey.

A 2017 article from The Daily Sentinel newspaper regarding a bill in the Colorado State Legislature to provide funding to teen pregnancy prevention programs in Western Colorado.

A 2018 report from the Colorado Health Institute

A 2018 US News & World Report article

Includes CMU policies regarding sexual assault and steps for students to take after an assault.

A first contact option for students who have been sexually assaulted. SART hotline responders provide support and guidance, including access to medical aid, connecting complainants with a campus advocate, and supplying alternative housing options and academic assistance.

Includes CMU Policies regarding sexual assault, descriptions of sexual assault prevention education programs, and details of the sexual assault reporting process. Statistics for sexual assault incidents at CMU are provided at the very end of the report.

The Title IX Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. CMU declares its intention "to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and retaliation for students, faculty, and employees" in its Compliance Statement.

A 2016 report from the U. S. Department of Justice.

A 2002 research report funded by the National Institute of Justice.

A 2007 NIJ research report on campus sexual assault. Includes statistics, risk factors and reporting.

A project from the well-regarded Chronicle of Higher Education tracking the progress and resolution of sexual assault cases on college and university campuses. Includes associated news reporting.

Anti-sexual violence organization, "created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice."

National statistics from RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

From the U. S. Department of Education

EAS coordinates accessibility and support for students with disabilities at CMU.

Accomodations facilitated by Educational Access Service for CMU students. Includes assistive technology, ADA space compliance, and test taking and note taking accomodations, and alternative formats for course materials.

A list of outside resources recommended by EAS for financial and technological assistance for CMU students with disabilities.

Guidelines and support for faculty and staff providing disability accommodations for students

From Inside Higher Education, reporting on newsworthy trends concerning campus disability issues.

Provides statistics for all Colorado counties on multiple aspects of child social services - Go to a statistical report like "Referrals of Child Abuse or Neglect" and then select the "County Comparison" tab to find the statistics for Mesa and other counties.

Provides information on reporting child abuse, common signs of abuse, and links to a list of resources.

January 2020 article from the Daily Sentinel concerning a panel discussion on the CMU campus to address childhood sexual abuse.

Offers guidance for school personnel regarding identifying and responding to abuse or neglect.

A clearinghouse for statistics on child abuse and neglect as well as child welfare systems

From the Colorado Children’s Campaign, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization. Includes information on child poverty, health, education, housing, and overall well being, with comparisons between Mesa County and other areas in the state.

Report from the Colorado Department of Human Services - Examines cases of child fatalities, near fatalities and incidents of abuse and neglect. Provides statistics and noteworthy trends, such as family stressors (drug abuse, unreported domestic abuse, mental illness) and prior history with children’s protective services. Also provides an analysis of the strengths and deficiencies in the child and family protection system in Colorado and offers recommendations for addressing the identified concerns.

A description of the activities of the Colorado Child Fatality Prevention System (CFPS) and CFPS State Review Team that occurred in Fiscal Year 2018, as well as recommendations to policymakers.

An March 2019 report from the National Children's Bureau.

Information and resources on the prevention of bullying

An April 2020 article from Westword Magazine on the impact of the CO state stay-at-home order for abused children.

Provides information on the support services Latimer House offers to victims of domestic violence in Mesa County.

Provides in-depth analysis of some of trends and nuances in domestic violence and also addresses challenges faced by domestic abuse shelters.

A 2013 Daily Sentinel article with information on domestic violence in the Grand Valley.

An article from the Daily Sentinel recounting a typical domestic violence incident in Grand Junction.

July 2022 article in The Colorado Sun

The mission of DVP is to partner with communities in the prevention of domestic violence while promoting the safety and well-being of survivors through good stewardship of funding resources. The vision of DVP is to promote and sustain a culture free of domestic violence for all Coloradans.

An April 2019 article from Westword Magazine on how the CO state stay-at-home order has affected cases of domestic violence.

May 2022 Infographic from The Daily Sentinel newspaper

July 2022 article in The Daily Sentinel considering affordable rental housing in the Grand Valley

September 2022 article about ballot measures approved by the Grand Junction City Council concerning affordable housing

July 2022 article reporting on current affordable housing shortage in Colorado

A July 2022 editorial in The Daily Sentinel newspaper

Provides information on the services and programs offered by the Grand Junction Housing Authority to help support affordable housing.

This report by the City of Grand Junction details obstacles for finding affordable housing here.

Includes demographic statistics for Grand Junction.

Includes demographic statistics for Mesa County.

Surveys of rent and vacancies statewide, for both single family and multi-family dwellings. Compares Grand Junction with other Colorado cities.

Quarterly statistics from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Housing.

From the Colorado Children’s Campaign, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization. Includes information on child poverty, health, education, housing, and overall well being, with comparisons between Mesa County and other areas in the state.

Includes updated statistics and project progress concerning poverty in Mesa County.

Includes extensive information on poverty in Mesa County.

Provides information on population demographics, social and economic indicators, insurance and access to health care, chronic disease, communicable diseases, maternal and child health, preventable injuries and deaths (including suicide and alcohol-induced deaths), homelessness, and obesity. Includes analysis of health care services and barriers to care. Use Ctrl + F to search on a subject keyword.

Tables of a range of poverty measures for Mesa County (poverty levels, poverty status, use of food stamps, poverty and means of transportation)

From the National Center for Children in Poverty, a non-partisan research center established at Columbia University that promotes the interests of children in low-income families.

A series of stories on Colorado Public Radio concerning childhood poverty in Colorado

Article from the Denver Post concerning differences in rural and urban poverty in Colorado.

Includes demographic statistics for Grand Junction.

Includes demographic statistics for Mesa County.

From the Colorado Children’s Campaign, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization. Includes information on child poverty, health, education, housing, and overall well being, with comparisons between Mesa County and other areas in the state.

Includes recent statistics and demographic reports concerning race-based discrimination.

Includes demographics for Grand Junction by race or ethnic background.

Includes demographics for Mesa County by race or ethnic background.

Includes information on meetings and events of the Grand Junction Black Lives Matter organization.

June 7, 2020 article from The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

June 9, 2020 article from The Daily Sentinel

June 1, 2020 article from The Daily Sentinel

June 1, 2020 video from The Daily Sentinel

A September 2019 article from The Denver Post.

Yearly statistics from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation

Reports on the efforts of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to address race-based discrimination in politics, criminal justice, education, economic opportunity and health care. Includes news updates and and an annual report on advocacy initiatives.

Crimes reported to the FBI motivated by biases based on race, gender, gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.

August 2021 article from The Pew Research Center concerning recent public opinion surveys.

A 2019 report from the Pew Research Center

A 2019 report from the Pew Research Center

A June 2016 report from the Pew Research Center

A 2016 report from the Pew Research Center

February 2022 article from The Daily Sentinel newspaper

The routes offered by the Grand Valley Transit bus system.

The Regional Transportation Planning Office conducts studies of transportation needs in Mesa County and conducts planning for future development. Click on the "2040 Regional Transportation Plan" link to see results of recent transportation studies and considerations for future planning.

A 2020 article describing service changes due to COVID-19 pandemic impact on riders.

This 2016 article from the Daily Sentinel newspaper reports on route changes to improve reliability and travel time.

February 16, 2019 article from the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.

February 12, 2019 article from the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.

To better characterize this critical issue in our community, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) received a grant from
the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) to pilot an active surveillance system in local emergency
departments to track suicide attempts for six months . Data has been collected each year.

Provides mention of suicide prevention efforts in Mesa County.

Includes a section on Suicide Prevention (pg. 12) with an infographic regarding suicide in Mesa County and efforts to address the problem.

Includes statistics on suicide in Mesa County

June 2022 article on suicide prevention efforts in the Grand Valley

A July 2019 KJCT news story on suicide statistics for 2018 from the Mesa County Coroner's Office.

October 2018 story from National Public Radio about teen suicide in Grand Junction.

A March 2017 article from The Daily Sentinel concerning the suicide prevention efforts among government and heath agencies in Grand Junction.

This Daily Sentinel series of articles on Suicide in Grand Junction (published in 2012). Includes statistics & individual stories concerning the problem locally as well as resources for prevention, counseling, and recovery.

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel article from April 2016 on the high regional suicide rate and community suicide prevention efforts.

A June 2017 article on suicide assessments in School District 51.

An April 2017 article from The Daily Sentinel concerning an event at CMU.

Mapped demographic statistics for suicides in Colorado from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Western Colorado agency concerned with the "protection, conservation, use, and development of the water resources of the Colorado River basin for the welfare of the District, and to safeguard for Colorado all waters of the Colorado River to which the state is entitled."

A 2018 USGS report on water conditions for the Colorado River Basin, covering evapotranspiration losses, snowpack, ground water to steams, and water use.

Gathers together regional resources concerning energy efficiency, local food, local planning initiatives, and recycling.

Includes reports and regulations concerning air and water quality, sustainability, recycling management, energy development, and reclamation efforts in Colorado.

Includes regulations and policy as well as information on conservation, habitat, and invasive species programs.

Includes current research and programs concerning regional ecology. One of the regional field offices is in Grand Junction.

From the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, reports and projects in Colorado.

Profiles Bureau of Reclamation projects and facilities in Colorado. The Western Colorado Area Office is in Grand Junction.

Environmental assessments for particular areas can be found through the library catalog. Type in a specific place (or just "Colorado") and the words "environmental assessment."

A regional newspaper covering issues facing the Western United States, including environmental issues.