Western Colorado TownsWestern Colorado towns and neighboring Eastern Utah towns came to be in a variety of ways. Gold and silver played a big part in some while uranium, farming and religious freedom in others. From west of the Continental Divide, then westward through slickrock canyons of Utah to Lake Powell there is quit a variation of altitude and climate. The uniqueness gives this area a tremendous appeal to people looking for quick vacation possibilities. Go 150 miles in any direction from Grand Junction Colorado and there is something to do year round. Some Western Colorado towns are geared as farming communities while others are cattle or purely tourist oriented. Many have families that were some of the original settlers of this area and still farm or mine. The ski industry has changed many towns in our area but they have tried to keep some of the towns roots through museums and preserving many of the historic buildings and artifacts from the past. Like the saying goes, "money changes everything," and this certainly holds true in Western Colorado. When I moved to Grand Junction in 1979 most of the towns in Western Colorado were very laid back and had little growth. Telluride for instance was just a small, little known local ski area that people could go to and ski and enjoy the uncrowded, rustic bars and shops. Once discovered by ski magazines and then a few celebrities its become very busy year round with tourists. Western Colorado towns along with Utah towns like Moab have had to make many changes because of the heavy demand placed on public lands from outdoor sports like mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking and rafting. With more people come more rules and regulation to try and keep the landscape from being abused and ruined. Mesa County grew 24.8 percent from 1990 to 2000 and is expected to double from 2000 to 2025. With the drilling from the energy boom and retirees moving here I'm sure it just might. Meeker Colorado History and Recreational Activities
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With rugged steep mountains and winding canyons this whole area was not an easy place to settle. 
