Neighborhoods play an important role in improving the livability
and image of the community. A neighborhood can be as small as a block
of houses and as big as the Orchard Mesa plan area. There are numerous
neighborhoods throughout the City of Grand Junction that have registered
with the City. On Orchard Mesa that number includes 17 registered
neighborhoods or homeowner associations representing 1,203 dwelling
units/lots. Mesa County does not track homeowner associations (HOAs)
in the unincorporated area. However, State law requires all HOAs to
register with the Department of Regulatory Agencies, or DORA, which
maintains a searchable database; as of 2013, there were three HOAs
in the unincorporated area, representing 450 dwelling units/lots,
in the database.
The City of Grand Junction has a program in place to help neighbors
get involved in their community. Administered through the Economic
Development and Sustainability Division, the City of Grand Junction
Neighborhood Program is a way of building a stronger sense of community,
beginning with small groups of motivated people. The program evolved
from a goal stated in City Council’s 2002-2012 Strategic Plan:
“A vital, organized network of neighborhoods will exist throughout
the City, linked with parks and schools and supported by City resources
and active citizen volunteers.”
Often problems within a neighborhood raise residents’
interest and concern. The Neighborhood Program seeks to build a sense
of community to promote proactive pride, safety, volunteering and
fun within neighborhoods rather than merely a group that deals with
controversy as it arises.