A steady rise in the region’s population base during the last few years has created a wealth of new business for some longtime area utilities. Although that growth has led to healthy gains in revenues and customer accounts, it has created a need for Grand Valley Power and Ute Water to hatch moving plans because both are quickly outgrowing their buildings. “We don’t have a lot of space,” said Larry Clever, general manager of Ute Water, which is headquartered in an aging building on 25 Road in Grand Junction. Nor does Grand Valley Power, general manager Jack Broughton said. “We are growing all the time,” Broughton said of the utility, which saw total energy sales skyrocket to $20 million in 2006 from $15.7 million in 2005.
Given that scenario, the utilities have been negotiating a land deal that could lead to them being neighbors on 22 Road near H 1/4 Road. That location, which is home to a sod farm, measures about 48 acres and is owned by Ute Water. The utility, which bought the site about two months ago, is trying to lure Grand Valley Power.

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