Upcoming Special Events
Sip, Roll, & Support
We invite you to join us for a hands-on afternoon with Chef Pam, the founder and creative force behind her award-winning food truck, Pali Thai. Pali Thai will provide all the ingredients and Pam will guide the group through the process of making her traditional fresh rolls. Pam’s fresh rolls are one of the most popular menu items, and you will leave this class equipped with the knowledge and skills to make them at home.
Pam will be joined by Ben Parson the founder and wine maker at The Ordinary Fellow. Ben will bring a small sample pairing of wine for you to enjoy while you practice.
Throughout the afternoon Pam and Ben will share stories of the individual journeys that brought them to Palisade. We hope you will join us as we celebrate and support the diversity of our community.
All proceeds will benefit the Dig In! Program.
Event Details:
- Date: July 26th
- Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Location: CSU’s Western Campus (Orchard Mesa)
- Cost: $50 per participant
Participants must be 21 or older.
Space is limited to ensure a great hands-on experience in the garden and kitchen. Secure your spot today and help us grow the next generation of agricultural leaders!
Big thank you to Pali Thai, Ordinary Fellow and Colorado State University.
Common Ground Speaker Series: Exploring water, land, climate, and resilience in the West
EUREKA! and the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University are proud to present Common Ground, a collaborative speaker series exploring life, resilience, and water in the Desert Southwest.
Together, we will learn about the current state of the Colorado River and reflect on our relationship with water, trace the history of water development in the Grand Valley, and examine the vital intersection of food production and rangelands. As we navigate a changing climate in an already arid landscape, this series addresses why drought, our water heritage, and rangelands matter to you, and how can we collectively shape a sustainable future?
Thanks to the Western Colorado Community Foundation for sponsoring these event which ensures that they are free for all attendees.
The Current State of the Colorado: Hydrology and Home Conservation
How do we navigate a changing climate in an already arid landscape? Join us for an evening that bridges big-picture river science with actionable steps you can take in your own backyard.
First, Gigi Richard, a hydrologist and Principal at Confluence Solutions, will set the stage by breaking down the current hydrology of the Colorado River, giving us a clear look at the vital lifeblood of our region. Then, Deb Kennard, CMU Professor of Environmental Science & Technology, will bring the conversation home by providing water-wise landscaping techniques to help homeowners reduce outdoor water use. Whether you want to better understand the future of Western water or looking for easy ways to reduce your own footprint, this presentation offers the knowledge and tools our community needs to collectively shape a sustainable future.
Come early at 5:00 PM to celebrate the official ribbon cutting of our brand-new Colorado River Flow Exhibit, generously made possible by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Ute Water!
Location: Confluence Center of Colorado, 2596 Dos Rios Dr. Grand Junction, CO 81501
Date: August 4, 2026
Schedule:
- 4:30 PM: Arrive and mingle
- 5:00 PM: Introduction from Confluence Center staff, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Ute Water plus ribbon cutting for the new CO River Flow Exhibit
- 5:15 PM- Presentations from guest speakers
- 6:30 PM: Event Concludes
The History of Water Development in the Grand Valley and the Timeless Role of Collaboration
Zebulon Miracle, a local historian, will walk us through the history of water development in the Grand Valley and how our way of life at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison rivers came to be. Through hard work, innovation, and the power of collaboration, this arid landscape was transformed into a bustling and agriculturally productive community. Looking ahead, Zebulon will explore how collaborative efforts in the past can help shape our efforts now and into the future with living in a time of water scarcity.
Location: CMU’s Center for Teaching and Learning at the Tomlinson Library (east side of building #60 on map)
Parking: Free in lot CP6 on map.
Date: August 12, 2026
Schedule:
- 5:00 PM: Mingling and Welcome
- 5:15 PM: Presentation
- 6:15 PM: Q&A
- 6:30 PM: View the Living River Exhibit at the Tomlinson Library
Celebrating Wide-Open Spaces: Rangelands Here AND Around the World
Look out your window in Grand Junction, and the wide-open spaces you see are rangelands. These lands are biodiverse, provide habitat for wildlife and plants, livelihoods for people, and store carbon, but they are often overlooked and understudied.
Come and learn more about your own backyard during a free night at the museum. EUREKA! will be the host of a special exhibit on rangelands here around the world. In addition, local rangeland ecologist Retta Bruegger, and rancher Janie VanWinkle (also, Executive Board member for the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center) will talk about their relationships to these lands. Leave with a deeper appreciation of the lands you love in the Grand Valley and beyond.
Location: EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum, 1400 N. 7th St. Grand Junction, CO 81501
Date: August 24, 2026
Schedule:
- 4:30 PM: Doors Open & Special Exhibit Premiere
- 5:30 PM: Presentations from guest speakers
- 6:30 PM: Event Concludes