Mesa County officials have approved a $245,000 federal grant to strengthen efforts to protect drivers, pedestrians and families on local roads. The funding will help identify dangerous spots, test new ways to encourage safer driving and pilot speed feedback signs where they can make the biggest difference. This data driven move comes as the county faces higher than average traffic fatality rates.

How the Grant Will Target High Risk Areas

Mesa County commissioners approved the $245,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant from the Federal Highway Administration. The money will support three key efforts.

First, officials will analyze crash data to find high risk road segments. This will help prioritize fixes where serious injuries happen most often. Second, the grant will fund a study on safety messaging to learn which approaches best change driver behavior. Third, the county will test both fixed and mobile speed feedback signs in selected spots to see how well they slow vehicles down.

These steps build directly on the county’s existing Safety Action Plan. The grant requires a local match that Mesa County will share with the cities of Grand Junction and Fruita plus the town of Palisade. This partnership shows a coordinated approach across the region.

Background on Mesa County’s Safety Action Plan

The Mesa County Safety Action Plan launched in late 2023 and was published in November 2024. It represents the area’s first comprehensive effort to cut deaths and serious injuries on all types of roads. The plan covers the entire county including Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Collbran and De Beque.

It draws from local crash data, research from similar communities and input from many stakeholders. The focus includes everyone who uses the roads whether driving, walking, biking or riding motorcycles. The plan created a High Injury Network to map the most dangerous locations and guide future improvements.

This new grant takes the plan to the next level. It will provide fresh data and real world testing to update strategies and make them even more effective.

The Alarming Road Safety Numbers Driving Action

Road safety remains a serious challenge in Mesa County. Between 2016 and 2022, 117 people lost their lives on county roads while thousands more suffered injuries. During that period, there were 592 crashes that resulted in death or serious injury.

A recent report from the Mesa County Regional Transportation Safety Task Force shows the county ranks fourth highest for traffic fatality rate in Colorado. Speeding played a role in 31 percent of fatal and serious injury crashes. Impairment contributed to 24 percent.

These numbers highlight why proactive steps matter. Serious crashes do not just damage vehicles. They shatter families and communities in seconds. In a region that includes busy urban corridors, rural highways and tourist routes, the stakes are high for residents and visitors alike.

Colorado as a whole saw 701 traffic deaths in 2025, a slight increase from the prior year. Mesa County’s leaders want to reverse that trend locally through targeted, evidence based actions rather than guesswork.

What Speed Feedback Signs and Better Messaging Can Achieve

Speed feedback signs show drivers their current speed in real time. Many communities have found these signs encourage people to slow down without the need for constant police enforcement. The pilot in Mesa County will test both permanent installations and mobile units to measure their impact on actual vehicle speeds.

The messaging study will examine what types of campaigns work best. Some messages focus on consequences while others highlight positive choices like arriving home safely. The research will help craft future public education efforts that actually influence behavior.

This combination of engineering tools and smarter outreach fits the Safe System Approach promoted by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The national Safe Streets and Roads for All program, funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to support exactly these kinds of local innovations to reach zero roadway deaths.

Key Facts About Mesa County Road Safety

• 117 fatalities recorded from 2016 to 2022
• 592 killed or seriously injured crashes in the same period
• Speeding involved in 31 percent of serious crashes
• Impairment involved in 24 percent of serious crashes
• Fourth highest traffic fatality rate among Colorado counties

The grant will help refine these insights and turn them into specific actions.

Local leaders emphasize that every improvement counts. Even small reductions in speed at the right locations can prevent injuries. Coordinated efforts across city and county lines make those changes more likely to succeed.

Next Steps for Safer Roads Across the Region

Work on the grant funded projects will begin soon. Officials plan to update the overall Safety Action Plan with new findings from the high risk road analysis, messaging research and speed sign pilots.

The collaborative model with neighboring cities strengthens the chances of success. Shared resources and consistent messaging across jurisdictions can create safer conditions for commuters traveling between communities.

This grant represents an investment in prevention. Rather than waiting for crashes to occur and then responding, the county is using data to get ahead of problems. The approach aligns with national goals while addressing very local needs in western Colorado.

Drivers may soon notice new signs or different safety campaigns in targeted areas. These visible changes will come with behind the scenes work to ensure they deliver results.

Safer roads protect the daily rhythms of life in Mesa County. Families heading to school, workers commuting to jobs, and visitors exploring the region’s beauty all deserve to travel without fear. This federal support gives local leaders better tools to make that happen. Every small step forward can mean one fewer tragedy and more peace of mind for everyone who calls this area home.

What do you think about these road safety efforts? Have you seen speeding or other issues on specific roads in Mesa County? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below.