Back in 2011, Grand Junction had the unwelcome distinction of becoming Colorado’s divorce capital. State demographers speculated that it had a lot to do with a combination of stressors, like stagnant wages, a low ranking for household income and tougher-than-average economic conditions.

The local economy may have improved since then, but it still lags behind the rest of the state. And other depressing trends, like a high suicide rate, growing demand for welfare and social services and a vagrancy problem give this community a palpable hard edge. And if this all weren’t enough to contribute to a community morale problem, there’s always national politics to divide us.

That’s why Shawn Quintana, Grand Junction’s dancing road crew flagger, is such a breath of fresh air.

Read more at The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.