Mesa County and several other participating jurisdictions prepared this revision of the local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan to guide hazard mitigation planning to better protect the people and property of the County from effects of hazard events. This plan demonstrates the communities’ commitment to reducing risks from hazards and serves as a tool to help decision makers direct mitigation activities and resources.
With the completion of this plan revision, Mesa County and participating jurisdictions are eligible for certain federal disaster assistance, specifically, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program, and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.
(Res. 61-20, 10-7-20; Res. 32-15, 7-1-15; Res. 05-10, 1-6-10)
Each year in the United States, natural disasters take the lives of hundreds of people and injure thousands more. Nationwide, taxpayers pay billions of dollars annually to help communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals recover from disasters. These dollars only partially reflect the true cost of disasters, because additional expenses to insurance companies and nongovernmental organizations are not reimbursed by tax dollars. Many natural disasters are predictable, and much of the damage caused by these events can be reduced or even eliminated.
Hazard mitigation is defined by FEMA as “any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property from a hazard event.” On average, each dollar spent on mitigation saves society an average of $11.00 in avoided future losses in addition to saving lives and preventing injuries. (National Institute of Building Science Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council 2018)
Hazard mitigation planning is the process through which hazards that threaten communities are identified, likely impacts of those hazards are determined, mitigation goals are set, and appropriate strategies to lessen impacts are determined, prioritized, and implemented. This plan documents Mesa County’s hazard mitigation planning process and identifies relevant hazards and vulnerabilities and strategies the County and participating jurisdictions will use to decrease vulnerability and increase resiliency and sustainability in Mesa County.
This revised plan was prepared pursuant to the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) and the implementing regulations set forth by the Interim Final Rule published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2002 (44 CFR §201.6), and finalized on October 31, 2007. The 2007 amendments also incorporate mitigation planning requirements of the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
While the Disaster Mitigation Act emphasizes the need for mitigation plans and more coordinated mitigation planning and implementation efforts, the regulations established the requirements that local hazard mitigation plans must meet in order for a local jurisdiction to be eligible for certain federal disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act (Public Law 93-288).
This revised plan addresses natural hazards and one manmade hazard – hazardous materials release. Although FEMA encourages communities to integrate manmade hazards into the mitigation planning process, the scope of this plan focused more on natural hazards. Additional plans have been developed to address other manmade hazards such as chemical, biological, and radiological terrorism through the Northwest All Hazard Emergency Management Region (NWAHEMR) and requires sensitivity towards confidentiality.
(Res. 61-20, 10-7-20; Res. 32-15, 7-1-15; Res. 05-10, 1-6-10)
Figure 1 shows a map of the Mesa County planning area, including the various jurisdictions who participated in the revision of this plan.
Figure 1: Hazard Mitigation Planning Area
(Res. 61-20, 10-7-20; Res. 32-15, 7-1-15; Res. 05-10, 1-6-10)
Mesa County is located on the western border of Colorado, 250 miles west of Denver. Interstate 70, the State’s main east-west transportation corridor, travels directly through Mesa County. One of the 64 counties in Colorado, Mesa County encompasses 3,309 square miles, of which approximately 72 percent is publicly owned and is controlled primarily by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The City of Grand Junction is the County Seat and is the largest city in western Colorado. The Grand Junction area serves as the banking center, health care service provider and retail trade center for a large geographical area in western Colorado and eastern Utah.
The landscape of Mesa County has many unique features as it is located in a river valley surrounded by contrasting natural landmarks – such as the Colorado National Monument to the west, the Grand Mesa National Forest to the east, and the Bookcliffs to the north. These natural wonders provide diverse and abundant year-round recreational activities.
The Colorado National Monument is a beautiful geological display of towering red sandstone monoliths set against deep, shear-walled canyons which are dotted throughout the 20,000 acres of the park. The Grand Mesa National Forest is said to be the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. It has more than 200 lakes and is home to the Powderhorn ski area.
Mesa County’s mild climate provides a sharp contrast to the eastern slope of Colorado. Residents enjoy mild winter temperatures with lows averaging only 26 degrees Fahrenheit (minus three degrees Celsius) in January with year-round low humidity. (Mesa County 2008 Budget Book)
(Res. 61-20, 10-7-20; Res. 32-15, 7-1-15; Res. 05-10, 1-6-10)
Mesa County estimates its 2018 population to be 153,207 which ranks it as the eleventh largest population of the 64 counties in Colorado. The County estimates include data from the State Demographer’s office and includes more up-to-date information on components of change – births, deaths, and change in group population. Mesa County also considers school enrollment numbers, new housing permits, household increases, and vacancy rate. Mesa County has used State Demographer estimates when projecting future population and estimates the 2020 population to be 156,260 which is a two percent increase from 2018 as shown in Figure 2.
The 2010 Census marked a shift from the majority of the population living in unincorporated Mesa County to the cities and towns. In 2013, 51.7 percent were estimated to be in the incorporated areas and 48.3 percent were in the unincorporated areas. This is due in part to growth and annexations to Grand Junction, as well as the growth of Fruita since 2000. Mesa County’s population has also been urbanizing. In 1980, 70 percent of the County’s population lived in the urbanized area. The urbanized population has increased with each successive decade, and in 2010, the U.S. Census estimated 87.4 percent of the County’s total population lived in the urbanized area, which stretches from Fruita to Palisade.
Figure 2: Estimated County Population
Figure 3: Jurisdiction Population
Area
2000 Population
2010 Population
2018 Population
% Change
City of Grand Junction
45,678
59,502
64,191
8%
City of Fruita
6,727
12,803
13,398
5%
Town of DeBeque
473
505
502
-1%
Town of Collbran
607
709
710
0%
Town of Palisade
2,585
2,748
2,792
2%
Mesa County
61,581
70,888
72,036
2%
Total Population
117,651
147,155
153,629
4%
Mesa County’s median age of 39.1 is higher than both Colorado (37.9) and the U.S. (38.2). Mesa County’s population is generally older than Colorado, with 17.9 percent of the population over age 65 compared to 15.2 percent statewide. By 2030, the State Demographer projects that people over age 65 will account for 39 percent of the total population.
The U.S. Census Bureau demographic and social characteristics for Mesa County are shown in Tables 2 and 3 and Figure 4.
Table 2: Mesa County Demographic and Social Characteristics
Population Estimates by Race and Hispanic Origin in 2018
Number
Rank in State
Pct Dist. in County
Pct Dist. in State
American Ind. or Alaskan Native Alone
1,283
12
0.9%
0.8%
Asian Alone
1,409
12
0.9%
5.4%
Black Alone
1,033
12
0.7%
12.7%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pac. Isl. Alone
410
5
0.3%
0.2%
White Alone
141,076
10
94.1%
72.7%
Two or More Race Groups
3,093
11
2.1%
3.2%
Hispanic or Latino (can be of any race)
Non-Hispanic or Latino
128,369
10
85.6%
82.2%
Hispanic or Latino
21,629
11
14.4%
17.8%
Figure 4: Age Distribution in Mesa County
(U.S. Census Bureau)
Mesa County is served by U.S. Highways 6, 24, and 50; Interstate Highway 70; and several State highways. Most of the communities, including the larger ones, are located along the U.S. and Interstate highway systems. General intra-county access is provided by more than 1,300 miles of County road. The Union Pacific Railroad mainline parallels the U.S. and Interstate highways from east to west through the County, and a branch line parallels U.S. Highway 50 to the south. Limited railroad passenger service by Amtrak is provided, with the bulk of service handling freight. Bus service is available and four major airlines and several commuter-type airlines provide passenger and freight service to Grand Junction.
Table 3: Mesa County Demographics
People and Income Overview (By Place of Residence)
Value
Rank in State
Industry Overview (2018) (By Place of Work)
Value
Rank in State
Population (2018)
153,207
11
Covered Employment
62,699
10
Growth (%) since 2010 Census
4.4%
36
Avg. wage per job
$44,431
20
Households (2018)
61,033
11
Manufacturing – % all jobs in County
5.0%
14
Labor Force (persons) (2018)
76,060
10
Avg. wage per job
$45,292
22
Unemployment Rate (2018)
4.1%
14
Transportation and Warehousing – % all jobs in County
4.0%
5
Per Capita Personal Income (2018)
$44,935
37
Avg. wage per job
$51,491
17
Median Household Income (2018)
$51,132
41
Health Care, Social Assist. – % all jobs in County
18.3%
3
Poverty Rate (2018)
14.4%
20
Avg. wage per job
$50,055
12
H.S. Diploma or More – % of Adults 25+ (2018)
90.1
36
Finance and Insurance – % all jobs in County
3.1%
13
Bachelor’s Deg. or More – % of Adults 25+ (2018)
27.4
32
Avg. wage per job
$66,423
18
(U.S. Census Bureau)
(Res. 61-20, 10-7-20; Res. 32-15, 7-1-15; Res. 05-10, 1-6-10)
Mesa County is showing signs of economic improvement since the steep decline that began in late 2008. Mesa County saw a six-year high in our labor force numbers at 78,379 as well as the lowest unemployment rate on record at 2.5 percent in September of 2019. Since 2015, more than 3,000 jobs have been added to our region across all industries. Currently, health care and social assistance has the highest number of jobs at 10,887, followed by government at 10,769, and retail taking the third place at 8,218. Figure 5 depicts Mesa County labor force and unemployment.
Figure 5: Mesa County Labor Force and Unemployment
(Englehart, 2020)
(Res. 61-20, 10-7-20; Res. 32-15, 7-1-15; Res. 05-10, 1-6-10)