GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – According to Bray Real Estate Management, the number of building permits filed in a month are up around 43% from what they were at this time last year. However, the figures still remain below the national average.
“I would expect us to hopefully get back into that 700 800 homes a year,” said Kevin Bray, the development director for Bray Real Estate. “It’d be great if we could reach 1000 but I just don’t know if we actually have even the lot inventories to accomplish that.”
Despite the increase, Bray cautioned that the trend may not continue at the same pace year-over-year.
“I don’t think we’ll have a 40% increase when we’re comparing 2024 to 2025,” said Bray. “If you look at 2022 we were at about 600 permits, same time this year that I think we’re at about 500 today for the year.”
Factors Driving the Growth
The rise in building permits can be attributed to several factors, including:
- Continued population growth in the region
- Increased demand for housing
- Favorable economic conditions
However, the availability of buildable lots remains a concern, potentially limiting the ability to meet the full extent of housing needs.
Balancing Growth and Sustainability
As Grand Junction experiences this steady growth, city planners and developers must work to strike a balance between accommodating new residents and preserving the area’s natural beauty and quality of life. Careful planning and strategic investments in infrastructure will be crucial to ensuring the community’s long-term sustainability.
