Introduction

Residents were asked 'How important should these priority areas be to Mesa County government leaders in the next few years? Select and rank up to 5 priority areas for Mesa County government leaders.'

• Financial Responsibility w/ Public Funds – Promote financial responsibility with public funds and tax dollars.
• Diverse Employment Opportunities. – Encourage a variety of industries to relocate to or remain in Mesa County to promote diverse employment opportunities.
• Family Economic Stability – Create opportunities for a community where individuals and families have opportunities to be economically stable.
• Local Business Growth – Help local businesses to grow.
• K-12 education – Support efforts to improve the K-12 education system.
• Post-Secondary Education Alternatives – Support and diversify post-secondary education alternatives to grow our local talent pool.
• Public Health – Promote and protect public health.
• Local Healthcare Resources. – Support and grow local healthcare resources.
• Transportation Infrastructure. – Support efforts to improve transportation infrastructure across the Grand Valley (pedestrian, public, air, rail, and road).
• Broadband Connectivity – Improve broadband connectivity in Mesa County.
• Infrastructure Development – Plan for projected community growth in infrastructure development to maintain quality of life.
• Public safety – Promote public safety.
• Public Lands Use – Promote responsible use of public lands (recreational use, open space, commercial use).
• Parks Outside of Cities and Towns – Provide parks outside of cities and towns.
• Riverfront Trail Connectivity – Complete connectivity of the Riverfront Trail.
• Air and Water Quality. – Support policies to maintain or improve air and water quality.
• Diverse Housing Development. – Facilitate diverse housing development.
• Diverse Community. – Promote a vibrant and diverse community.

Key Findings

• The only groups in Mesa County that show significantly divergent priorities were political parties.
• Many every demographic groups in the county ranked the following three items in their top five priorities:
• K-12 education.
• Public safety.
• Infrastructure Development.
• Lowest priorities overall
• Riverfront Trail Connectivity.
• Post-Secondary Education Alternatives.
• Parks Outside of Cities and Towns.