GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Fire Station 7 will soon be put into service as part of Grand Junction’s expanded public safety investment, according to the city manager.
The station was built after voters approved a ballot measure directing additional tax revenue to public safety, but has remained unstaffed since construction finished over the summer, KKCO reported. City Manager Mike Bennett said the city and Grand Junction Fire Department are now preparing to bring the station online.
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Bennett said the city and fire department are working to rebalance resources across the community, with the 2026 budget increasing investment in public safety. Staffing Station 7 is a priority, he said, but will happen as part of broader system-wide improvements.
Bennett said the department handles about 8,000 calls a year across eight stations, with Station 2 alone taking roughly 5,000. Most are EMS calls, and about 30% are non-emergencies, so the city plans to launch a community paramedic team dedicated to handling lower-acuity calls and easing demand.
“This new community paramedic program will be housed out of Station 7,” Bennett said. “As we focus on these levels of service, it’ll help us as we move forward towards staffing Station 7.”
In addition to three community paramedics, the department will add three firefighters/EMTs, a fire inspector and a battalion chief. Bennett said these hires reflect the city’s long-term commitment to strengthening public safety.
