THE GREAT OUTDOORS TOUR OF THE MOON JUCO BASEBALL COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY SOCCER Participate in these heart-pounding events. n Madhorn Fat Bike Races, Powderhorn Mountain Resort, WINTER n Desert Rats Trail Running Festival (10k, half marathon, trail marathon, 50k), SPRING n The Grand Junction Off-Road Races & Downtown Music Festival, SPRING n Grand Valley 5k, 10k, Half Marathon & Marathon, Downtown Palisade, SPRING n Peachy Run, 5k & 10k, Palisade, SUMMER n Tour of the Moon Grand Cycling Classic, Colorado National Monument, FALL n Rim Rock Marathon & Half Marathon, Colorado National Monument, FALL Get in the Game Grand Junction’s residents are passionate about sports — and their enthusiasm is evident in every season. For event dates and details, go to VisitGrandJunction.com/Events GOOD SPORT: FAN-FAVORITE AFFAIRS JUCO World Series Home to the Junior College (JUCO) baseball world series since 1958, Grand Junction plays host to this beloved annual tradition during the last week in May. Afternoons and evenings fill with excitement as you hear the crack of the bat from the nation’s best athletes who face off against pitchers throwing in the range of 80 -96 mph. JUCO is also a stage for players who have earned the right to walk out on Suplizio Field and display their athleticism in front of Major League Baseball scouts, who look to draft the best JUCO players into the big leagues like Bryce Harper, Trevor Rosenthal, and Kirby Puckett. JucoGJ.org CMU Mavericks Colorado Mesa University’s Mavericks play National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II college football, baseball, tennis, soccer, lacrosse, softball and volleyball, so there are oodles of opportunities to deck out in maroon, white and gold year-round. The football season runs September through November with exhilarating home games at Ralph Stocker Stadium, while the CMU ice-hockey team faces off against schools from all over the country, with their season running from September–February at River City Sportplex. CMUMavericks.com Colorado’s Special Olympics Summer Games take place at Colorado Mesa University in June. The inspiring opening ceremony supports more than 1,000 athletes competing in individual and team competitions, such as flag football and soccer. Want to make a difference? Volunteer opportunities are also available. SpecialOlympicsCo.org Meet a CMU Student “I came to Grand Junction for Colorado Mesa University and immediately fell in love with the location. It truly is Grand! The natural beauty that the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa have to offer, make me feel spoiled by the grace of Mother Nature. I also love that Grand Junction residents support the university’s sports teams and the student body as a whole.” — Mason Barrows , Colorado Mesa University Class of 2021 24 | VISIT GRAND JUNCTION OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE FROM LEFT: COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY SPORTS; VISIT GRAND JUNCTION; TOUR OF THE MOON/ROLL MASSIF. Colorado Special Olympics Summer Games
Grand Junction Official Visitor Guide Grand Junction Adventure Guide: Page 24
