‘Make dull spaces look cool’: Artists in Mesa County paint storm drains to stop pollution

FRUITA, Colo. — Sore knees, ants, and e-bike traffic aren't challenges Grand Valley artists usually face, but three painters worked through the trouble to add some color — and awareness — to vital public infrastructure.

For the second year in a row, Mesa County organized a storm drain art program in which local artists receive a $250 stipend to paint swaths of sidewalk near drains. It’s a colorful way of advocating for good stewardship of the Colorado River.

Video: Joshua Vorse, Rocky Mountain PBS

Andrew West, one of the painters, based his piece on animals he sees during his walks along the Riverfront Trail.

“It's not the size that normal canvases come in, so you have to be creative as far as the spacing and where you put everything in the picture,” said West, who grew up in western Colorado. He spent about nine hours painting by Civic Center Park in Fruita.

Not pictured: the ants West had to watch out for as he was working on his storm drain art piece. Photo: Joshua Vorse, Rocky Mountain PBS

Three artists, including West, painted nature scenes on the sidewalk next to some of them to remind people to do their part. Photo: Joshua Vorse, Rocky Mountain PBS

Stormwater in most of the United States flows untreated into streams, lakes and rivers. The Grand Valley is no exception. Any debris that runs off from the road or gutter, like motor oil or dog waste, ends up polluting the Colorado River.

“Most people want to do the right thing— and most people try to do the right thing— but providing a little bit more of that education piece could really help make a big difference, if everybody in the community was actively trying to protect stormwater runoff,” said Josh Martinez, stormwater coordinator for Mesa County.

Mindy Hill grew up hiking and fishing in Grand Junction. Her 10-by-5 scene is near 29 Road, west of the James M Robb Colorado River State Park.

“I think we're so in our phones and looking at screens all the time that doing public art, having conversations with the people in our community, is just important to me because I don't know that there's always a ton of opportunity to do that these days,” said Hill.

She said one of her favorite parts of the project was when people stopped their walk or bike ride to talk and watch her paint.

Artist Mindy Hill’s painting on the Riverfront Trail near 29 Road in Grand Junction. Photo: Joshua Vorse, Rocky Mountain PBS

Hill poses for a photo on the trail near her piece. Photo: Joshua Vorse, Rocky Mountain PBS

This summer’s artwork should last at least a year before needing a touch-up or replacement. The county provided the artists with a heavy-duty outdoor paint that’s used on playground equipment and is more resistant to chipping and fading than standard acrylics.

The concrete soaks up a lot of paint as well, West said. The blue and green in his piece required six layers.

Martinez said this project is one of the best parts of his job. He often works with construction companies on new developments, making sure any new infrastructure is up to county standards. So, seeing submissions for art pieces, and handing out gallons of paint is a nice change of pace.

He said these types of art projects are popular with stormwater departments around the state and country, and wanted to bring the idea to the Western Slope.

Near the community pool in Palisade, artist Carolyn Stifflear chose a portrait orientation for her storm drain art piece. Photo courtesy Carolyn Stifflear

Carolyn Stifflear, who painted the sidewalk square located in Palisade, is not a local artist — yet. She’s in the process of moving to the area, and saw the call for submissions in a Palisade community Facebook group.

“This isn’t just public art, it’s a public message, a reminder that what we put down our storm drains ends up in our rivers, our farms, and our ecosystems,” said Stifflear, in an email to Rocky Mountain PBS.

“Especially for travelers who may not realize that our drains don’t lead to a sewer system, but straight into the natural environment.”

Her piece, on the corner of Elberta Avenue and W Fifth Street, features a razorback sucker, one of the charming species native to the Colorado River. The sucker has been on the endangered species list since 1991.

Martinez hopes people pause on their daily walks, and take an interest in the storm drains because of these paintings.

Detail of the heron in Hill’s painting. Photo: Joshua Vorse, Rocky Mountain PBS

“Also, supporting the local artists, I think that's a really cool way to get the community involved and make some dull spaces look pretty cool,” said Martinez.

On the Riverfront Trail where Hill was painting, Mt. Garfield and the Book Cliffs were prominent in her view, and in her piece. It reads “Every Drop Counts,” and shows a heron flying low over the river.

“I feel very honored that I could use what I'm passionate about, what I may be skilled at, to help remind people of the duty we have to protect our public lands and what it means to us as a community,” said Hill.

Type of story: News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

To read more about why you can trust the journalism of Rocky Mountain PBS, please visit our editorial standards and practices page.