GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A long-awaited infrastructure project connecting key outdoor recreation zones in Mesa County has finally reached the finish line. The second phase of the Monument Trail—linking the Riverfront Trail to the popular Lunch Loop system—has been completed after 15 years of meticulous planning, partnerships, and phased construction.
The project not only enhances safety and accessibility for walkers and cyclists but also ties directly into the region’s outdoor-driven economic strategy. Officials, planners, and advocates are now celebrating the link between healthy recreation and local revenue.
A Regional Collaboration Decades in the Making
The trail, which weaves along Monument Road near Colorado National Monument, has been a vision pursued by multiple organizations over nearly two decades. Phase one debuted in 2020, drawing immediate use. Now, with the final segment completed, the network forms a continuous, car-free route connecting parks, neighborhoods, and commercial zones.
“This trail was built with collaboration at its heart,” said Libby Collins, Senior Regional Program Manager at Colorado West Land Trust. “The city and the Land Trust worked together, alongside the BLM, Mesa County, the Regional Transportation Planning Office, and several other organizations to identify the most effective and sustainable alignment for the trail.”
It’s a stretch designed not just for recreation—but for economic resilience and safety as well.
Pedal Power: Outdoor Recreation’s Economic Engine
The completed trail will likely increase foot and bike traffic across multiple neighborhoods, especially in the Downtown Grand Junction area. That’s not just good news for cyclists—it’s good news for businesses.
In Mesa County, outdoor recreation generates an estimated $484 million annually in local GDP. Much of that spending comes through secondary channels: restaurants, hotels, shops, and outfitters frequented by trail users and tourists.
Back in 2018, Colorado Mesa University conducted a local economic impact study on three popular trailheads, including Lunch Loop. The findings confirmed what planners suspected: well-designed trail infrastructure directly correlates with increased tourism and local commerce.
“Now the trail connects all of these outdoor recreation amenities,” said Collins. “And that just brings more people to the local downtown—visiting local restaurants, businesses, hotels, and so forth.”
The Lunch Loop area, in particular, has become a hub for mountain bikers and hikers seeking quick access to desert terrain just minutes from city limits. The new trail extension means visitors can now park, ride, and walk directly from downtown accommodations to the trail without using a vehicle.
Trail Safety Innovation: First HAWK Signal in Mesa County
Beyond recreation and revenue, safety played a key role in finalizing the trail’s design. The newest section crosses Monument Road, a busy stretch for motorists and cyclists alike. To ensure safe passage, the city has installed the first-ever HAWK signal (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk) in Mesa County.
The HAWK beacon, a pedestrian-activated traffic signal, remains dark until triggered by a user. Once pressed, it transitions from flashing yellow to solid red, giving drivers a clear signal to stop while allowing pedestrians to cross safely.
“This is a new system for our region,” said Trent Prall, Engineering and Transportation Director for the City of Grand Junction. “We do have some yellow advanced warning signs that will help indicate that the signal’s about to activate and that vehicles need to begin slowing down for the pedestrian crossing.”
The HAWK system, already used in other Colorado cities like Boulder and Fort Collins, has been widely praised for reducing pedestrian collisions without interrupting traffic flow when not in use.
Upcoming Celebration: “Chainbreaking Ceremony” on Tuesday
To commemorate the achievement, a “Chainbreaking Ceremony” will be held at the Lunch Loop Trailhead this Tuesday. In addition to remarks by project leaders and ribbon-cutting festivities, the event will include interactive learning sessions on how to safely use the new HAWK signal—especially aimed at younger riders and pedestrians unfamiliar with the system.
The event is expected to draw local families, cycling clubs, hikers, and city officials, celebrating not just the new trail—but what it represents: safety, sustainability, and a growing outdoor economy.
Trail Completion Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Monument Trail Extension (Phase 2) |
| Length | Extends existing trail from Riverfront to Lunch Loop |
| Planning Timeline | 15 years |
| Completion | May 2025 |
| Key Partners | Colorado West Land Trust, City of Grand Junction, BLM, Mesa County |
| Economic Impact (County-wide) | $484M/year via outdoor recreation sector |
| New Safety Tech | First HAWK pedestrian crossing signal in Mesa County |
More Than a Trail: A Vision for Connection
For Mesa County officials, the Monument Trail isn’t just an addition to local infrastructure—it’s a keystone in a broader regional identity. With wide views of the Colorado National Monument, direct connections to preserved land and trailheads, and economic benefits that ripple across sectors, the trail embodies what planners call “infrastructure that works for everyone.”
It offers locals a safe, car-free corridor, businesses new streams of revenue, and visitors a gateway into one of Colorado’s most unique natural landscapes.
As Collins noted: “As soon as we built the first phase of the trail, people were on it—immediately. And we think the same is going to happen with this next section. The community is ready.”
