Grand Junction, city (1990 pop. 29,034), Mesa co., W Colo., 195 mi/314 km WSW of Denver on Colorado R., at mouth of Gunnison R.; elev. 4,586 ft/1,398 m. RR junction. The shipping and processing center of a large ranch and irrigated farm region, it also serves the area’s uranium, oil shale, gas, and coal-mining industries. Mfg. (electronic equip., candies, concrete, agr. machinery; printing); tourism. Grand Junction’s airport permits access to many Colo. ski resorts. Walker Field airport to NE. The city is also a center during the regional hunting season and serves as hq. for Grand Mesa Natl. Forest to (E). Mesa Col. (2-year) is here. Uranium production was regulated in 1970 after a radiation hazard arose from radioactive wastes (tailings) used for construction fill in bldg. projects. Colorado Natl. Monument to W; Highline State Park to NW; Colorado R. State Park to E; Island Acres State Park to NE. Western Colo. Center for the Arts, Dinosaur Valley Mus., Mus. of Western Colo. here. Powderhorn Ski Area to E. Inc. 1891.
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Mesa co., W Colo., 195 mi/314 km WSW of Denver on Colorado R., at mouth of Gunnison R.; elev. 4,586 ft/1,398 m. RR junction. The shipping and processing center of a large ranch and irrigated farm region, it also serves the area’s uranium, oil shale, gas, and coal-mining industries. Mfg. (electronic equip., candies, concrete, agr. machinery; printing); tourism. Grand Junction’s airport permits access to many Colo. ski resorts. Walker Field airport to NE. The city is also a center during the regional hunting season and serves as hq. for Grand Mesa Natl. Forest to (E). Mesa Col. (2-year) is here. Uranium production was regulated in 1970 after a radiation hazard arose from radioactive wastes (tailings) used for construction fill in bldg. projects. Colorado Natl. Monument to W; Highline State Park to NW; Colorado R. State Park to E; Island Acres State Park to NE. Western Colo. Center for the Arts, Dinosaur Valley Mus., Mus. of Western Colo. here. Powderhorn Ski Area to E. Inc. 1891.
