Story By: Makenna Livingston, In the Dirt editor
Photos By: Courtney Havel and Emmerson Rezoski
On any given summer morning, you might find a group of strangers practicing sunrise yoga by the swiftly flowing rivers, a raft slicing through Ruby-Horsethief’s red cliffs, or a family wobbling with laughter on paddleboards. Behind it all may be Grand Junction Adventures—a company that’s helping people experience the outdoors in meaningful and memorable ways.
Founded by the husband-and-wife team Elizabeth Fortushniak and James Stover, Grand Junction Adventures has grown from a paddleboard rental kiosk into Grand Junction’s only full-scale guiding company. With roots in outdoor recreation and a vision shaped by family and community, the company now offers everything from river trips and climbing tours to wellness retreats and even a festival. As they prepare for another season on the water, the couple reflects on how their passion for nature has evolved into a business grounded in purpose and adventure.
Roots on the Water
Elizabeth Fortushniak and James Stover, both graduates of Colorado Mesa University with degrees in environmental science and geology, came from outdoor recreation backgrounds. After James spent years working in the oil field and Fortushniak struggled to re-enter the environmental field while raising their three children, the couple decided to create something of their own. Starting as a paddleboard rental kiosk at Highline Lake, they first launched the business under the name Grand Junction Stand Up Paddle.
“We’re a business. We want to be profitable. But I don’t think like making money is the number one thing with us. We are kind of trying to reinvent ourselves and create something that we enjoy that keeps us young,” said Stover.
The couple’s vision expanded when they learned about Las Colonias Park being under development along the Colorado River. Seeing an opportunity, they put together a business proposal and pitched it to the city.
“It was our idea, but the space still had to go through a public bidding process,” Stover said. “There were 48 pre-bids, and then COVID hit. The world shut down, and we were the only ones to submit a final proposal.”
Despite the uncertainty, their perseverance paid off. The couple secured the space, and what started as a passion project turned into a riverside reality—one built on movement, health, and a love of nature. Growing into a full-fledged business rooted in family and community.
“Our whole job is to facilitate a good experience for people,” James said. “It’s something that keeps us fit and young, and lets us build something fun together.”
The Meat and Potatoes
Grand Junction Adventures now serves as a hub for recreation on and off the water, offering guided rafting trips, paddleboard lessons, organized bike shuttles, and gear rentals. The team doesn’t just provide gear and run trips, but they also build confidence and community through education. In addition to partnering with other organizations to offer water safety and rescue courses, they also train their guides in-house with swift water rescue certifications.
“It’s actually kind of uncommon for guided rafting companies… But it’s really important to us, especially when we’re guiding trips on more remote stretches like Ruby-Horsethief, the Gunnison, and the Dolores,” said Fortushniak.
Beyond the river, their adventure offerings expand into guided rock climbing in Unaweep Canyon and the Colorado National Monument, hiking trips to Rattlesnake Arches, and mountain biking throughout popular Grand Valley trails. They’ve even carved out a niche for wellness-oriented outings, including paddleboard yoga and a Women’s Adventure and Wellness Yoga Retreat.
“We’ve found these boutique trips that really showcase what makes the Grand Valley special. And we’ve been able to capitalize on that in a way that feels authentic,” Stover said.
Community and Connection
Grand Junction Adventures is tapping into the deeper current of what outdoor experiences can offer: connection. Every spring, they co-host the Grand Valley River Fest, now heading into its fourth year, transforming the under-celebrated Colorado River into a centerpiece of celebration.
“It’s been really gratifying to see it morph and grow every year. And just to know that, you know, we’ve been one of the main organizers and presenters of that, and be able to like provide that to the community,” Fortushniak said.
The festival, free and family-friendly, brings together local organizations like RiversEdge West and Save-A-Life Jacket to educate and inspire. With music, food trucks, safety demonstrations, and excitement for the upcoming runoff season, it’s a joyful reminder of the community’s shared relationship with the river.
That same spirit of connection flows through Grand Junction Adventures’ Women’s River Retreat, a multi-day journey down Ruby Horsethief designed not just for recreation but for reflection.
“Sometimes a couple ladies will know each other. Sometimes none of the ladies know anyone… [But] they all want to challenge themselves. They want to get away from a situation that they’re in, either a breakup or worse,” Fortushniak said. “And it’s really neat how those groups just come together, not knowing each other, and they come together, and we all work together.”
The retreat draws women from all walks of life—some seeking challenge, some looking for healing, and others just needing to disconnect. Together they paddle, set up camp, share nourishing meals, and do sunrise yoga on ancient canyon floors.
“Eventually we’re all opened up, and we’re like, we’re pretty much best friends because we know so much. We have lasting relationships with some of the people that come out and visit. And just… it’s just been a lot more like a support group, but also [a place] to empower,” Fortushniak said.
Looking Ahead
In the future, Grand Junction Adventures is focused on expanding its offerings and improving its operations. The business plans to provide fully loaded rafts for extended trips on Ruby Horsethief and hopes to obtain new permits to operate on other rivers outside the Grand Junction area, including challenging locations like Westwater Canyon. Overall, Grand Junction Adventures is focused on expanding its reach, improving efficiency, and continuing to provide high-quality outdoor experiences for its customers.
As warm weather returns to the Grand Valley, Grand Junction Adventures is preparing to reopen its seasonal operations with new hours set for both its Las Colonias Park hub and Highline Lake location.
The Las Colonias Park location will officially open for the 2025 season on May 17. The site will operate Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The company’s second location at Highline Lake State Park will reopen Memorial Day weekend, with plans to resume operations with a tentative schedule of Friday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
blockpartygj.net 