Colorado Mesa University announced its largest documented donation ever, a $10 million check from the philanthropic group ZOMALAB, and simultaneously celebrated the opening of new student housing on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The substantial gift will fund the construction of Formation Commons, a new 288-bed dormitory that recently broke ground on the CMU campus. The day's events also included a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Centennial Apartments, a 310-bedroom complex now open to upperclassmen. Local leaders stated that these residential developments are expected to ease the strain on Grand Junction's housing market and support the local economy.
CMU officials announced the $10 million donation, noting it came from ZOMALAB, a Denver-based philanthropic group supporting causes in Colorado and Chile. ZOMALAB representatives did not attend the campus event but provided a statement. Ben Walton, principal of ZOMALAB, indicated that the gift recognizes CMU's innovative approach to meeting student needs and its willingness to think differently, which is expanding opportunity in the region. CMU President John Marshall expressed gratitude for the donation, describing it as "humbling and really necessary for us," and noted that large foundations now see "Grand Junction as a good bet" and CMU as a good investment. The Formation Commons dormitory, which the donation supports, is planned for the CMU campus in front of Asteria Theatre.
The announcement of the record donation came shortly before the ribbon-cutting for the Centennial Apartments building. This on-campus, year-round apartment complex offers leases exclusively to CMU juniors and seniors. During the ceremony, President Marshall explained the university's shifting approach to student housing. He noted that historically, juniors and seniors moved off-campus, but with the rising cost of living in Grand Junction, many upperclassmen are struggling to afford housing in the community. The Centennial Apartments are intended to help address this challenge. Lori Buck, a member of the Colorado Mesa University Board of Trustees, and other community leaders, including Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce President Candace Carnahan and Grand Junction Economic Partnership Executive Director Curtis Englehart, joined President Marshall for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Speakers at the Wednesday morning event emphasized that the pair of new residential developments on the west side of campus will make it easier for students to live in Grand Junction throughout their academic careers. Beyond student populations, the additional housing is expected to provide significant benefits to the wider community. Candace Carnahan, President and CEO of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, stated that the added lodging could significantly reduce Grand Junction’s off-campus housing demand, which has historically outpaced the local supply of affordable homes. Carnahan highlighted that the cost of living significantly impacts business success in Mesa County, and easing the pressure on the workforce to find housing helps the community.
Curtis Englehart, Executive Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, echoed these sentiments. He described the construction as a multifaceted capital project expected to create substantial local jobs and economic activity. Englehart also added that these developments allow for greater housing affordability for the current workforce. CMU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Lori Buck affirmed the institution's progress, noting that the day was an opportunity to celebrate its genuine momentum. School officials on campus noted that the influx of funds and new housing would help CMU continue to grow its student population, making it more feasible for newcomers to the city to find a place to live.
