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Discovering A Gem On Colorado’s Western Slope

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Discovering A Gem On Colorado’s Western Slope


A detour to Grand Junction for a car repair could have been a big bummer, but The Hotel Maverick saved our bacon. Here are a few reasons why this spot is well worth checking out.

An uh-oh moment

There’s nothing quite like the adrenalin rush of the check engine light coming on at the beginning of a long road trip. The Ford Transit diesel engine hauling out 23-foot motorhome has been a workhorse in the five years we’ve been out exploring, but even the finest pony sometimes needs attention.

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So, after a tech pulled a code and diagnosed a glow plug (the diesel equivalent of a spark plug) needed to be replaced, we hobbled down the road looking for a shop that would take us. Many cannot accommodate a rig as beefy as ours, which is a lot like a hefty delivery van.

After striking out in three states — seriously, there’s a gaping need for diesel mechanics out there! — we finally had some encouraging news from a Ford dealer in Grand Junction, a city we used to call home.

Yes, they could squeeze us in, but they’d have to keep it overnight because they needed a part sent from Denver.

So began the search for a place to stay that wasn’t the typical chain hotel. The Maverick, located on the campus of Colorado Mesa University, checked all the boxes: good location, noteworthy dining and a noble mission.

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Teaching hospitality

Hotel Maverick stands out in making a terrific first impression with its striking, sleek design playing well off the gorgeous geologic features in the distance. Yes, that’s the Grand Mesa, the world’s largest tabletop mountain to the east and the Colorado National Monument to the west. Both are best viewed from the rooftop restaurant, The Devil’s Kitchen. That evocative name actually comes from a famous trail on the Monument.

But what elevated this experience was the gracious hospitality from the reception at check in — thanks, Derrick! — to the congenial barista at Betty’s Coffee, named for one of the university’s trustees, Betty Bechtel. Our server during dinner was the perfect blend of friendly and efficient. The bar was packed during Monday Night Football, but Maresa never fumbled.

What goes on here?

Well, Hotel Maverick plays a key role in CMU’s hospitality and culinary programs and many of those working here are students. Very cool.

Now, about that bison tamale.

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Such an intriguing menu

Chef Elise West has a well-seasoned resume, including working as a tasting and tour guide in Colorado’s growing wine country just down the in Palisade. She’s got a masters in gastronomy from Boston University and is an adjunct professor at CMU.

Her menu is all over the map in the best possible way: duck tostadas, jambalaya with Cajun spiced prawns, Chinese five spice chicken and a nod to Nashville with vibrantly seasoned lobster and waffles. But first, start with the Devil’s Kitchen Eggs. These beauties are a departure from the traditional stuffed eggs because the whites are first fried in tempura batter, adding a crispy texture to the creamy yolks, which are decorated with a bit of bacon and watermelon radish. So good.

The star of the evening’s meal was the Colorado bison tamale, a layered presentation that emphasized the tender chunks of meat and the fiery peppers in between the masa. Such a beautiful preparation that tasted every bit as good as it looked.

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By the end of the impressive meal, we had nearly forgotten about the pain in the neck that brought us to this place. In our comfy room, we slept well.

MORE FROM FORBESFeasting On Fall Color In Aspen



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Toyota Game Recap: 12/22/2024 | Colorado Avalanche

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Toyota Game Recap: 12/22/2024 | Colorado Avalanche


ColoradoAvalanche.com is the official Web site of the Colorado Avalanche. Colorado Avalanche and ColoradoAvalanche.com are trademarks of Colorado Avalanche, LLC. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Copyright © 1999-2024 Colorado Avalanche Hockey Team, Inc. and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved. NHL Stadium Series name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League.



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Colorado authorities shut down low-income housing developer

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Colorado authorities shut down low-income housing developer


The Colorado Division of Securities is pursuing legal action against a man whom it claims deceived investors and used the ownership of federally supported low-income housing projects to line his own pockets. 

Securities Commissioner Tung Chan announced its civil court filings against Michael Dale Graham, 68, on Nov. 12. 

Chan’s office filed civil fraud charges against Graham, and also asked for a temporary restraining order and freezing of Graham’s assets and his companies’. A Denver district court judge immediately granted both. Since then, two court dates to review the those orders have canceled; a third is scheduled for mid-January.

Graham operates Sebastian Partners LLC, Sebastiane Partners LLC, and Gravitas Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund I LLC (“GQOZF”), all of which were controlled by Graham during his “elaborate real estate investment scheme,” as described by the securities office in a case document.

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The filing states Graham collected more than $1.1 million from eight investors to purchase three adjacent homes in Aurora. The Denver-based Gravitas fund and its investors purportedly qualified for the federal Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program with the homes. Qualified Opportunity Zones were created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress in 2017. The zones encouraged growth in low-income communities by offering tax benefits to investors, namely reductions in capital gains taxes on developed properties.

A file photo of a suburban housing development in the Denver metro area. 

Paul Souders/WorldFoto & Getty Images


Graham formed Gravitas in early 2019 and purchased the three homes located in the 21000 block of E. 60th Avenue two years later. He quickly sold one of them with notifying investors, according to the case document. While managing the other two, Graham and Gravitas transferred the fund’s assets and never operated within QOZ guidelines to the benefit of its investors or the community, according to the state. 

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Gravitas also transferred the titles for the two properties to Graham privately. As their owner, Graham obtained undocumented loans from friends totaling almost $600,000. The two loans used the two properties as security. 

Gravitas investors were never informed of the two loans, according to the case document. Also, Gravitas never sent its investors year-end tax reports, the securities office alleges. 

Graham used the proceeds of the loans for personal use. No specific details were provided about those uses.

“Effectively, Graham used Gravitas as his personal piggy bank,” as stated in the case document, “claiming both funds and properties as his own. Graham never told investors about the risks associated with transferring title to himself. On September 1, 2023, he sent a letter to investors, stating that the properties ‘we own’ are doing well and generating growth due to record-breaking home appreciation. But Gravitas no longer owned the properties.

“Gravitas no longer had assets at all.” 

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Furthermore, the securities office said Graham failed to notify investors of recent court orders against him in Colorado and California. In total, Graham was ordered to pay more than $1 million in damages related to previous real estate projects.

Graham’s most recent residence is in Reno, Nev., according to an online search of public records. He evidently has previously lived in Santa Monica, Calif., and Greenwood Village.

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Colorado weather: Temperatures staying in the 60s Sunday

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Colorado weather: Temperatures staying in the 60s Sunday


Colorado weather: Temperatures staying in the 60s Sunday – CBS Colorado

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Watch meteorologist Callie Zanandrie’s forecast.

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