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The Grand Junction City Council is facing significant discussions about the future of the unsheltered resource center located at 261 Ute Ave., following a troubling incident on September 25, where eight individuals were arrested for drug-related charges on or near the property. The incident has prompted a reevaluation of how the resource center operates, leading to calls from some council members to reconsider its funding and overall approach.
The Daily Sentinel reported that during a workshop on Monday, Council Member Cody Kennedy expressed his growing concerns about the center, stating that if it were not currently under city management, he would advocate for it to be declared a nuisance property. “I supported this thing wholeheartedly,” Kennedy said. “I was excited to do something good for folks in that downtown area and provide some additional resources, but from what I’m hearing and what I’m learning, people that are trying to recover, get away from drugs are steering clear from going down there.”
According to police reports, a detective from the Western Colorado Drug Task Force witnessed individuals smoking marijuana and other controlled substances at the resource center. The resulting charges included public use of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, among others. Fortunately, no violent felonies were reported in connection with the incident, but the arrests have raised red flags about the center's ability to serve as a safe haven for those in need.
Despite the concerns, city staff proposed allocating $415,800 for the resource center’s operations in the 2025 budget. This center, which opened in January, was designed to assist unsheltered and vulnerable populations by providing essential services during the day. However, Council Member Kennedy voiced his disapproval of further funding, describing the center as a "crack house" in the heart of Grand Junction.
In contrast, Mayor Abe Herman defended the resource center, highlighting its positive impact on the community. He noted that the center had facilitated thousands of services since its inception, asserting, “It’s part and parcel with dealing with a certain population, and that doesn’t mean that it’s 100% of the population.” Herman emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective, suggesting that while improvements are needed, the vast majority of users are not involved in criminal activities.
Other council members echoed Herman’s sentiments. Council Member Anna Stout argued against the immediate closure of the center, warning that doing so would only "disperse the problem." She emphasized the need for a performance plan to help address the issues without cutting off vital resources for those in need.
Community Development Director Tamra Allen acknowledged that the city staff is still evaluating how to address the center’s challenges and admitted that they had not included any funding for potential relocation or changes to its model in the proposed budget.
As the city grapples with these issues, the future of the resource center hangs in the balance. The council faces the critical task of finding a solution that addresses both the immediate concerns raised by the recent incident and the ongoing needs of the community's most vulnerable populations.
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