How We Got Started.

In 1994, the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens located at 655 Struthers Avenue, in Grand Junction, Colorado entered into a long-term lease with the City of Grand Junction for a 15-acre site along the Colorado River.  Thousands of volunteer hours were donated to remove the acres of debris before construction could begin.  The tropical greenhouse opened on November 8, 1997, before a crowd of 2,500 celebrants.  Native butterflies were introduced in 1998 in the (Ashley Furniture) Butterfly House.  The WCBG also has the Botanical Gift Shop that carries garden, butterfly, and Colorado-related gift items and books.

The WCBG is home to several specialty gardens including the Cactus Garden, Antique Rose Garden, Children’s Secret Garden, the Western Heritage Garden, Celebration Plaza, Japanese garden and the gardens that surround our buildings. The tropical rainforest and butterfly house showcase tropical plants and orchids as well as koi fish, turtles, tortoises, and butterflies.  As the WCBG grows, more gardens will be developed.