Grand Junction just gave renters a powerful new tool to beat skyrocketing housing costs. On March 23, dozens of locals packed into the “Rent Smart Tenant Education Program,” a free workshop that teaches people how to find affordable homes, build strong landlord relationships, and stretch every dollar in a market that feels impossible.

Why This Workshop Matters Right Now

Rent in Grand Junction has jumped more than 30% since 2020, according to the latest numbers from Apartment List and the Colorado Division of Housing. Many working families now spend over half their income on rent alone.

That’s exactly why the city teamed up with the Grand Junction Housing Authority and Housing Resources of Western Colorado to bring Rent Smart here.

“We’re seeing good people with decent jobs getting priced out or turned away because of an old eviction or bad credit,” said Jason Colunga, Deputy Director for Housing Resources of Western Colorado. “This class gives them a real second chance.”

What People Actually Learned Inside the Room

Attendees walked out with practical skills most renters never get taught:

• How to search for rentals the smart way (including hidden listings landlords don’t post on Zillow)
• Step-by-step budgeting tools that work even on tight incomes
• Scripts for talking to landlords that dramatically raise approval odds
• Understanding Colorado rental laws so you never get taken advantage of
• Repair-and-deduct rules and how to use them properly

One single mom who attended told me the budget worksheet alone will save her $180 a month starting next week.

The At Home in Grand Junction Connection

Rent Smart is the required education piece for the city’s At Home in Grand Junction program, which connects approved graduates with landlords who agree to look past past evictions, low credit scores, or gaps in rental history.

Since the program started, more than 140 households have moved into homes they never thought they could qualify for.

Next Classes Are Already Open

The workshops happen several times throughout the year and they’re completely free.

The next Rent Smart session is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Barn. Childcare and Spanish interpretation are provided.

You can register right now on the City of Grand Junction website or by calling the Housing Authority at (970) 241-2871. Spots fill fast; the March class hit capacity two weeks early.

Grand Junction keeps proving it’s serious about keeping locals housed. In a state where rent horror stories dominate the headlines, a few hours on a Saturday morning can now change someone’s entire future.

If you’re renting or know someone who is, share this article and tell them to sign up. Housing shouldn’t feel like a losing battle, and in Grand Junction right now, it doesn’t have to.