LDS Opens Third Colorado Temple with Public September Open House

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has opened the Grand Junction Colorado Temple for a public open house from September 11 to 27, 2025, marking the first temple on the western slope and the third in Colorado. The 29,630-square-foot temple, standing over 118 feet tall, features design elements inspired by the local environment, including the claret cup cactus, peach blossoms, and desert landscapes, with interior colors reflecting the southwestern canyon hues. This temple serves approximately 15,000 local members who previously had to travel hours to attend temple ceremonies, which are central to LDS faith practices such as baptisms for ancestors and eternal family sealings. After the open house, only practicing members of the church will be allowed entry, with the temple dedication scheduled for October 19, 2025, by President Jeffrey R. Holland. The temple's construction, announced in April 2021 and begun with a groundbreaking in April 2022, symbolizes a significant spiritual and architectural landmark for the region. The church emphasizes the temple as a sacred space dedicated to Jesus Christ, where members engage in covenants and ordinances essential to their faith.