| VISIT GRAND JUNCTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Fogarty, Director
970.256.4052 (office) | 719.200.5065 (cell)
elizabethf@gjcity.org
VisitGrandJunction.com
The Grand Valley to Attend 2018 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market
- Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade Form Partnership to Tout
Outdoor Lifestyle & Economic Development Opportunities in the Area -
Grand Junction, Colorado (July 20, 2018) – Grand Junction, in collaboration with the neighboring towns of Fruita and Palisade, will be in attendance at the 2018 Outdoor Retailer (OR) Summer Market in Denver July 23-26 launching an "It All Comes Together Here" campaign. Representatives from Visit Grand Junction, City of Grand Junction, City of Fruita, Town of Palisade, Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP), Grand Junction Sports Commission, Grand Junction Downtown Development Authority and many other partners in the community have been gearing up for months preparing to represent the Grand Valley at the show.
Located just a few hours west of Denver, the Grand Valley is surrounded by two rivers, red rock canyons, and the largest flat top mountain in the world boasting over 300 lakes. The landscape is dramatically different from anywhere else in Colorado. With a temperate year-round climate complemented by a prized ecosystem of mountains, rivers, lakes, desert and vineyards, the area attracts outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for an authentic Colorado lifestyle. Elizabeth Fogarty, Director at Visit Grand Junction stated, "The Grand Valley is where all epic Colorado experiences come together. For those who define themselves by the amount of time they spend outdoors, this area is considered a mecca and it is easy to see why it’s become a magnet for the outdoor recreation industry." The contingency of approximately 30 Grand Valley community leaders attending the OR Summer Market hopes to create not only increased awareness of the Grand Valley, but also highlight what sets the area apart from other destinations.
The OR Show offers the Grand Valley an opportunity to share information with the outdoor industry’s leading brands about what makes the destination so special, as well as share why tourism is growing and new outdoor recreation businesses are moving to western Colorado. Businesses such as RockyMounts, relocating headquarters from Boulder to Grand Junction, site a growing and vibrant community, quality of life, and affordability as reasons for their move.
Summer & Fall Activities - The Imondi Wake Zone is located on a 30-acre lake near Fruita and is Colorado’s first ever cable wakeboarding park. A beginner course, obstacle course and a 7-acre section for swimming, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking provide a variety of activities. Colorado’s only jet boat ride takes 11 passengers on a custom designed New Zealand style jet boat on a scenic ride through the banks of the Colorado River in De Beque. Powderhorn Mountain Resort now has lift-assisted downhill mountain biking terrain and has opened a new bike park. With over 23 wineries in the area and named one of the Top 10 Wine Getaways of 2018 by Wine Enthusast, guests can enjoy cruiser bike wine tours and also be entertained by outdoor live music at a variety of wineries in the Grand Junction and Palisade area including concerts at Two Rivers, Grande River Vineyards and Garfield Estates Vineyard and Winery. Situated on the Colorado River, the Las Colonias Amphitheater is hosting a wide variety of concerts including the Air Force Academy Band, The Wallflowers and Toto. For a glimpse into life during the Jurassic period, hike within dinosaur quarries to view real tracks and bones that are 140 million years old. View over 100 wild horses at one of only three Wild Horse Range sanctuaries in the country at the Little Book Cliffs which can be accessed with a 4-wheel drive vehicle or by horseback.
"Best of Grand Junction"
Grand Valley Wine Region – Named one of the Top 10 Wine Getaways of 2018 by Wine Enthusiast Colorado National Monument – Touted by Outside Magazine and USA Today as one of the top 10 places for
solitude in the US The Golf Club at Redlands Mesa – Rated the #1 course you can play in Colorado by Golfweek "The highlight of my travels for 2017, hands down, was a visit to Grand Junction, Colorado." – The Points Guy Staff Picks: The Best Places We Traveled in 2017 Colorado Mountain Wine Festival – voted the Best Wine Festival in the Nation by USA Today The Western Slope of Colorado - Named One of the Best 25 Places to Travel in 2017 by Gear Patrol (Grand Junction/Palisade region was mentioned specifically for their unique wine and food culture) Grand Valley, Colorado – Named one of 5 Top U.S. Cities for Wine Themed Vacations by www.rewardexpert.com Grand Junction – Named one of 25 Fun Places to Visit in Colorado by https://vacationidea.com Grand Valley, Colorado – Named one of The Top 10 Best Mountain Bike Destinations in the USA by Singletracks.com Grand Valley, Colorado – Named one of 10 Under the Radar North American Wine Regions You Need to Visit by Fodor’s Travel Golf Club at Redlands Mesa in Grand Junction - Named one of the Top 10 Underrated Golf Courses by U.S. News & World Report. Also named 2018 #1 public course in Colorado by Golf Week
About Grand Junction (VisitGrandJunction.com) - Grand Junction is the largest city in Western Colorado, located at the junction of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers, between Salt Lake City and Denver on Interstate 70. At an altitude of 4,586 feet, warm summers and moderate spring, fall and winter seasons allow for incredible year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. Among Grand Junction's spectacular red cliffs and winding canyons are the 11,000-foot Grand Mesa and the breathtaking 7,000-foot Colorado National Monument. Surrounded by an abundance of public lands – in fact, over 70 percent of the County is public land - Grand Junction is also a mecca for hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, dirt bike and ATV riding. Other attractions include three national scenic byways, rafting, boating, golfing skiing, extensive public art displays, museums, art & cultural centers, 23 nearby wineries, and a vibrant downtown featuring creative culinary options, shopping, Two Rivers Convention Center and the Historic Avalon Theatre. Visit Grand Junction is a department of the City of Grand Junction and is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the region.
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