Grand Junction City Council Workshop

September 14, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. – 6:56 p.m.

The Grand Junction City Council held a workshop on September 14, 2026, at the Fire Department Training Room. The meeting focused on three major discussion topics: a new Water Supply Element required by state law, a proposed temporary moratorium on data centers, and a potential local preference policy for city procurements. Council also discussed upcoming budget workshops, a resolution supporting Mountain Rail passenger service, and a request to join the Mayor's Alliance to End Childhood Hunger. No formal votes were taken; the workshop served as a forum for information and direction setting.

Water Supply Element – Comprehensive Plan Amendment

• Staff presented the Water Supply Element required by Colorado Senate Bill 24-174, which must be adopted by the Planning Commission by December 31, 2026.
• The element draws from existing regional water-efficiency and drought-response plans and aligns with the Colorado Water Plan.
• Staff reported that current water supplies meet current and projected future needs, and conservation efforts have extended the supply-demand nexus from 2039 to approximately 2049 without significant infrastructure investments.
• Council discussed the effects of population growth, demographic shifts, and increasing aridity. Councilmember Scott Beilfuss noted that the outlook improvement is partly due to declining water use per tap and the trend toward an older population.
• Staff will consult with local water providers and irrigation districts, incorporate feedback, and then forward the amendment to the Planning Commission.

Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers

• Staff proposed a temporary moratorium of up to 365 days on large data centers while the City develops appropriate land-use regulations. The current code does not specifically address data centers, creating uncertainty for evaluation.
• No applications are pending, but the City has received inquiries.
• Council emphasized the need to coordinate with Mesa County, neighboring jurisdictions, and water and energy providers, as a data center outside city limits could still have regional infrastructure impacts.
• Council also suggested expanding the review to include other high-water or high-energy industrial uses, such as water bottling or chip manufacturing.
• Staff will refine the draft moratorium ordinance and use the moratorium period to evaluate best practices and potential development standards. The moratorium would expire upon council adoption of code amendments or after 365 days, whichever comes first.

Local Preference for Procurements

• Staff reviewed options for giving local businesses an advantage in city procurement, citing examples from Longmont, Thornton, and Garfield County. Concerns raised included higher costs, reduced competition, administrative complexity, and conflicts with federal grant requirements.
• Councilmembers expressed differing perspectives. Councilmember Cody Kennedy noted frustration with local firms losing contracts to out-of-state companies and cited examples of other Western Slope communities with local preference policies. Councilmembers Ben Van Dyke and Jason Nguyen expressed concerns about reduced competition and potential negative impacts on bid quality and taxpayer value.
• Councilmember Nguyen suggested exploring a Colorado-based preference rather than strictly local, but the interim city attorney noted potential interstate commerce and constitutional issues.
• Council agreed to begin tracking local versus non-local participation and contract awards, bid-price differences, and reasons local businesses may not bid. Staff will also continue outreach and education on how local businesses can compete for city contracts.

Council Communication

• Councilmember Scott Beilfuss shared information from the Colorado Basin Roundtable regarding statewide water conservation efforts.
• Staff clarified that regular meetings among local domestic water-provider managers address operational issues, regulations, supply, and short-term planning.
• Council revisited drought-related water rates; staff indicated proposed 2027 rates will address rate structure and potential drought-rate adjustments.
• Council discussed supporting additional Mountain Rail passenger service to Grand Junction. A resolution demonstrating support, without committing funding, will be placed on the September 16, 2026, regular council agenda for consideration.

Next Workshop Topics

• City Manager Mike Bennett confirmed that the next three workshops will focus heavily on the city budget. October workshops will be held on October 5 and October 26 at 4:00 p.m. (instead of the usual first and third Monday).
• Staff is preparing a comprehensive review of boards and commissions, including voting structures, bylaws, ordinances, charter provisions, and roles of council and staff liaisons.
• Council's norms of conduct will return for discussion following the budget process.

Other Business – Mayor's Alliance to End Childhood Hunger

• Council reviewed an invitation for Mayor Laurel Lutz to join the Mayor's Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, which involves a pledge to work toward ending childhood hunger. Several councilmembers expressed caution about signing on without understanding specific commitments, noting that Mesa County and School District 51 already lead such efforts locally.
• Mayor Lutz decided to hold off on signing and conduct further research before bringing the matter back to council.

Key Outcomes

• Water Supply Element: Staff will consult with water providers and then submit the amendment to the Planning Commission for adoption by December 31, 2026.
• Data Center Moratorium: Staff will refine the draft moratorium ordinance and present it for first and second readings at a future council meeting.
• Local Preference: Staff will begin quarterly tracking of local versus non-local procurement data and continue outreach. No policy change was adopted.
• Mountain Rail: A resolution of support will be placed on the September 16, 2026, regular council agenda.
• Budget Workshops: October 5 and 26 at 4:00 p.m. are confirmed.
• Childhood Hunger Alliance: Mayor will research further before deciding to sign.