Full Circle with The Christi Reece Group

The Christi Reece Group

Compelling interviews and incredible tales from Colorado's Western Slope, from the mountains to the desert. Christi Reece and her team hear from the movers, shakers and characters of the Grand Valley and surrounding mountain towns that make the Western Slope the place we all love. You'll learn, you'll laugh, you'll love with the Full Circle!

  1. 1d ago

    From Project Housing to University Leadership: Dr. Roberto Montoya's Full Circle

    What does it take to go from growing up in project housing to becoming a leader at Colorado Mesa University? In this episode of the Full Circle Podcast, Christi Reece sits down with Dr. Roberto Montoya, Senior Vice President of Student Services at Colorado Mesa University, for a deeply personal conversation about his journey from poverty in Albuquerque to leadership in higher education—and the people and opportunities that helped shape his path. Roberto shares how his mother’s determination, his family’s educational legacy, and one unexpected opportunity to visit CMU as a prospective student changed the trajectory of his life. He reflects on arriving at Mesa State in the 1990s, feeling like he didn’t belong, nearly leaving, and ultimately discovering that CMU was exactly where he needed to be. Today, Montoya has returned to CMU in a leadership role, helping create opportunities for students who may be navigating college as first-generation, rural, low-income, or adult learners. He discusses the importance of affordability, belonging, education, career pathways, and making sure students have the support they need to change not only their own lives, but the lives of future generations. The conversation also explores Montoya's winding career through business, government, education, and higher education—and how every chapter ultimately prepared him for the work he is doing today. From project housing to CMU leadership, this is a story about opportunity, perseverance, education, and coming full circle.

  2. Sep 10

    The First Time Homebuyer Playbook

    Buying your first home can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, we break down the home buying process from the first conversation with a lender and REALTOR® all the way through inspections, appraisal, closing, and getting the keys. We’re covering what first-time buyers often get wrong, including the myth that you need 20% down, how pre-qualification works, what to expect from an appraisal, and why budgeting for repairs and maintenance matters. We’ll also talk about the due diligence steps that can help protect your investment, including home inspections, radon testing, and sewer scopes, plus what actually happens during the final walkthrough and closing. And because buying a home today looks different than it did a few years ago, we’ll explain written buyer agreements, agent compensation, and why homeowners insurance should be part of your conversation before you fall in love with a property. If you're considering buying your first home in Grand Junction or the Grand Valley, this episode is a great place to start. In this episode: How to build your home-buying teamGetting pre-qualified and understanding your budgetFHA vs. conventional loansHow much you really need for a down paymentWhat happens when a home doesn’t appraiseInspections, radon tests & sewer scopesUnderstanding closing costsThe final walkthroughBuyer agreements and REALTOR® compensationHomeowners insurance considerationsFinding the right part of the Grand Valley for your lifestyleHave questions about buying your first home? Contact The Christi Reece Group—we’re here to help you understand the process and make confident decisions along the way.

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About

Compelling interviews and incredible tales from Colorado's Western Slope, from the mountains to the desert. Christi Reece and her team hear from the movers, shakers and characters of the Grand Valley and surrounding mountain towns that make the Western Slope the place we all love. You'll learn, you'll laugh, you'll love with the Full Circle!