Colorado Mesa University is good for Western Colorado's economy, bringing almost $232 million in direct economic impact to Grand Junction and surrounding communities.

A recent Regional Economic Impact Study shows students and student spending account for almost half of the economic benefit to the area.

The study found the direct economic impact from the 2013-14 school year to be $231.9 million and the estimated total economic impact at $417.5 million.

The Regional Economic Impact Study looked at five major spending categories:

  • CMU Expenditures for products and services from around the region - $33.6 million.
  • Employee Salaries/Wages put back into the local economy through the purchase of food, housing and other expenses - $25.1 million.
  • Visitor Expenditures including campus activities, conferences, athletic events and performing arts - $25.6 million.
  • Capital Expenditures including campus construction projects - $32 million.
  • Student Expenditures including room, board, personal expenses, travel and entertainment - $115.6 million.

The study also found nearly 14,000 of the university's approximately 30,000 alumni live in western Colorado. Nearly one-third resides in Mesa County adding even more to the local economy.

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