Can You Really Break Colorado’s Grand Valley Curse?

Ask almost any longtime Grand Junction resident about the Ute Curse, and you'll probably hear the same story: if you leave the Grand Valley without taking a little dirt with you, you'll find yourself coming back.

Is the workaround really as easy as a handful of dirt from anywhere? Nope. The most magical dirt for a foolproof escape plan means visiting a few different places.

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Can a Handful of Colorado Dirt Change Your Future?

Can You Really Break Colorado's Grand Valley Curse?

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Colorado is a land of legends, among them is the story of the Ute curse, placed on the Grand Valley before their exit in August of 1881. According to local tradition, anyone born in the Grand Valley who moves away without taking dirt from the area is destined to return someday. The Mesa County Library, Colorado Sun.com, and AspenTimes.com have all talked about the curse over the years, but its origins lie in localized storytelling. There are many versions, and like any good story, each one varies slightly from the others.

How Do You Break the Grand Valley Curse?

The most effective way to break this curse is to leave the valley with a collection of dirt from specific places around the valley. The Utes traveled every inch of the Grand Valley, so if you are going to avoid any manifestation of this curse, you'll need dirt from all four sides. I think since the Utes loved this valley as much as we do, they would want you to pick a place you love on each side of it as the best way to take it with you.

Mount Garfield: Highpoint of the Bookcliffs

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Is there a better spot to represent the Grand Valley than Mount Garfield? It’s one of the most photographed places on the Western Slope, and one of the first things people notice when they arrive. Dirt from the Bookcliffs and Mount Garfield should definitely be in your jar.

The Grand Junction: Confluence of the Colorado & Gunnison Rivers

The Grand Junction Curse: Here's How Locals Break It

Without the Colorado and the Gunnison rivers, we would have no Grand Junction. Both rivers have played a major role in shaping the landscape of the Western Slope, so it's easy to pick the confluence on the south side of the valley as another place that belongs in the jar.

The Colorado National Monument

The Colorado National Monument will do well to represent the west side of the Grand Valley. John Otto said canyons of the monument felt like the heart of the world, and it does feel that way when you hike through places like Ute or Monument canyons. You could also choose McInnis Canyons or the Rabbit Valley as great spots on the west end.

Colorado's Grand Mesa

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The Utes called the Grand Mesa the spirit mountain or the land of departed spirits. It's one of the most popular spots in Western Colorado and is an irreplaceable part of the Grand Valley skyline. The jar won't be complete without some dirt from the world's largest flattop mountain.

Drive the Scenic River Route to Moab, Utah"]