Look: Grand Junction’s CMU Football Facility Approved

College football already has a strong fanbase in Grand Junction, with thousands of people attending games at Lincoln Park during the season. Ralph Stocker Stadium has been the longtime home of the Mavericks, with seating for almost 8000 fans.

The stadium has been the site for CMU home games since the 1940s, making it one of the most recognizable venues on Colorado’s Western Slope. Now, CMU and the city of Grand Junction appear to be moving forward with a plan to add a football-specific operations space within the sports complex. Continue scrolling for a look at the details.

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Why Lincoln Park Is the Heart of Sports in Grand Junction

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Ralph Stocker Stadium and Suplizio Field are a part of the largest and most important sports complexes in Western Colorado. It is the home stadium for Colorado Mesa University as well as several High School Football programs in Mesa County. The site is also home to the Junior College World Series and numerous community leagues and regional tournaments. With so many organizations already using the facility, city leaders say that it's essential to keep the facilities active and modern.

The Lincoln Park Barn Debate: A Community Landmark at the Center of the Deal

CMU would like to replace the Lincoln Park Barn with a football-specific operations space. Public feedback influenced city leaders to protect the barn, despite most operations currently inside scheduled to relocate to the new Grand Junction Rec Center, which is expected to open soon. Instead, CMU has agreed to keep the barn in place and has committed $1 million toward improvements and safety upgrades so it can remain part of the complex. The City of Grand Junction has made the city council meeting available to watch online.

Public Access, Lease Details, and Why the Project Matters

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Grand Junction city officials say the agreement with CMU to create a football-specific operations space is designed to protect public access to Lincoln Park while allowing CMU to invest in its athletic infrastructure. The long-term lease would bring annual payments to the city, while shifting some of the maintenance responsibilities over to CMU. Local school and community groups still get access to the facilities, ensuring the complex remains one of Grand Junction’s most important sports venues for years to come.