Our Picture of Health 1998:
Focusing on Community Health to the Year 2000CHAPTER 2: MESA COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS
In ancient times Western Colorado was a flood plain with a humid climate. It was home to dinosaurs whose bones are still an attraction for tourists and scientists from around the world.
The first known humans in this valley were Fremont Indians. They lived here from 250 to 1300 AD. The Fremonts were hunters, farmers and artists. Their pictographs and petroglyphs still fascinate visitors.
In the 1800s this area was home to the Northern Ute, and Ute Chief Ouray was a revered leader.
Two traveling Spanish friars named many of the region's mountains and rivers. The discovery of gold and silver drew prospectors, and "towns" were founded to meet the needs of miners and their families.
Today Mesa County is home to more than 100,000 people in 15 communities. The largest of these is Grand Junction, followed by Fruita and Palisade.
Other towns and unincorporated areas of the county include Clifton, Fruitvale, De Beque, Collbran, Mesa, Mack, Loma, Gateway, Glade Park and Whitewater.
Grand Junction
Grand Junction was staked in the early 1800s through a land rush settlement. It was first called Ute, then West Denver and, finally, Grand Junction because of its location at the confluence of the Gunnison and Grand (now called the Colorado) rivers.
By 1883 Mesa County was created from neighboring counties, and Grand Junction was named the county seat.
Grand Junction began to thrive when the main line of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad came into the area in 1887. Soon after, major irrigation transformed the Grand Valley into a fertile agricultural area.
Today, Grand Junction is home to a number of light manufacturing and service industries, three hospitals, a regional airport and a number of recreational opportunities.
Collbran
Collbran is a vibrant community, although its population has not grown much since it was founded in 1892. Hunting is popular in this primarily agricultural area. Collbran is home to small shops, active citizens and the bubbling Plateau Creek.
Fruita
Fruita was incorporated in 1884 by William Pabor, a representative of Horace Greeley's Union Colony. It was named Fruita because Pabor envisioned a town supported by flourishing orchards. The orchards did flourish until moths destroyed the trees.
In 1906 water was piped from Piñon Mesa, and its purity became the envy of neighboring communities. Fruita sits at the base of the National Monument and is home to Dinamation Dinosaur Discovery Museum and other tourist attractions. Its residents are protective of its western heritage and take pride in its well-planned growth.
Mesa
Mesa is the first stop on the National Scenic Byway on the Grand Mesa. It is just outside the Powderhorn Ski Resort and is home to several hundred people.
Palisade
Palisade is known as the Peach Capital of Colorado. Founded in the late 1800s, it earned its name from the Mancos shale found along its north boundary. A growing wine industry often wins national awards. Palisade hosts yearly peach and wine festivals that draw visitors from around Colorado and the nation.
County Area
3,313 square miles.
Topography
River valley surrounded by mesa and mountains.
Population
Mesa County's population is projected to grow from one and a half percent to two percent per year over the next three years.
Baby boomers are showing their age with the largest population increase in the 40-59 age group.
The number of teenagers is also increasing significantly. This may impact education, with the need for more high schools and higher education opportunities.
There are 41,627 households.
Figure 1: Mesa County Population Projections
Source: Department of Local Affairs, Demography Section
Figure 2: Population Projections for Age Groups
Source: Department of Local Affairs, Demography Section
1997 Age Groups
Median Age — 36
0-14 — 22.16% of population
15-24 — 14.50%
25-34 — 11.77%
35-44 — 17.04%
45-59 — 17.77%
% 60-90 — 16.76%1997 Population
51% female
49% maleNext