Leslie McAninch serves in Western Slope, CO. The area is historically rural, but has recently experienced growth and change, nearly doubling in size over the last decade and changing in demographics. Leslie welcomes the growing diversity, as it provides her with opportunity to serve various cultures.
Western Slope has been a conservative, agricultural community. However, that is changing with Mesa State College becoming a university, the growth of the oil and gas industry, and new businesses moving in, as well as, Grand Junction becoming a destination for retirement. The area’s demographics have also changed in nearly every aspect, from religious backgrounds to cultures represented, along with socioeconomics, educational attainment, and more.
The community has its share of struggles, some caused by the recent changes, while others are more deep-seated. Some of the issues include; disparity in the cost of living versus income, substance abuse, suicides among youth, homelessness, and more.