Growing up on the coast of Lake Huron in Eastern Michigan. water was a big part of those early summer days “There wasn’t much for us to do but get out on the water”. Moving to Colorado in 1997 she found herself in Leadville, Colorado working as a Mountain Guide and finishing up an associates in environmental science. A later iteration saw her finish a Bachelors of Science and spending 7 years on the corporate ladder as an environmental compliance manager. The modern version of Liz has her working as a “momtrapnure” running the day-to-day operations of Grand Junction Adventures, head shuttle driver to her three active kids and teaching yoga at one of the local studios. FUN FACT – An interest in yoga that started as a way to keep her sanity has developed into an obsession and has built the foundation of her Ruby Horsetheif Yoga retreats.
ABOUT
Meet Our Crew!
Elizabeth Fortushniak - Stover
Owner / Manager
James Stover
Guide Manager / Business Development Manager
A native of South-Central Alaska, James family history spans five generation in the Great North. A day job as a contractor in the Oil and Gas industry, James trades in his hard hat each summer for a guides PFD to help run the day-to-day operations of GJ Adventures. He is the guide manager and helps with business development. Before family life took over, climbing and skiing were primary objectives and resulting in expeditions to places like Kyrgyzstan and Patagonia. Several 1st ascents on the great walls of the Ruth Gorge in the Alaska Range hold true as special memories. He is a former ski patroller, EMT and recovering carpentry addict. The modern iteration James involves being a dad to three amazing kids, teaching them how to ski powder and helping them learn to explore the wonders of life.
Matt
A jack of all trades, Matt is always keeping the shop rolling with his tales of high adventure or dirty jokes. The consummate guide in every way he is always ensuring our guess have an awesome time! landing in Grand Junction after a two-year stint on the road. Previous iterations of Matt involve ten years at Boeing welding parts that keep airplanes in the sky and running a Pizza truck he help build with his business partner. Equally at home on the water rowing a rig down Ruby Horsetheif or Guiding guests down the plunge. He passion is all things two wheels and he love sharing this with our guests.
Scott
With more than 200 trips down Ruby Horsetheif and river experience that spans three states Scott is our most senior guide. A true caretaker he trades his Oars in for a pair of skis as PSIA certified instructor. Scott is a former Hollywood stuntman who relocated and landed back on the western slope after a successful career in the studio guild. He has a passion for providing memorable experiences and has about as many one liner as need to keep us all rolling. Equally at home on a Paddleboard or rowing a rig down Westwater he is the consummate guide in every way, he is full of surprises on those 100-degree Ruby trips.
Kiah
Susan is one of our instructors she’s a certified L2 Paddle Board Instructor and helps with the boathouse and shuttle from time to time. She has been with GJ adventures since the beginning.
Sarah
Sarah runs our Highline Lake operations. A two-year veteran of the Highline Lake kiosk, after her season as a schoolteacher she manages our weekend boathouse operations. A lover of the river and providing great experiences to our guests.
Spark
Spark is the unofficial mascot of Grand Junction Adventures. He’s very fond of belly rubs and making friends, A water dog at heart he loves being on front of the Board paddling down a calm flatwater stretch. You can usually find him lounging around our shop at Las Colonias or playing fetch out in the field.
Certification and Experience
Leave no Trace
Our company operates to a higher standard in following all 7 Leave no Trace principles. Our duty and commitment to sustainable recreation amends us in being an exemplary leader by indulging community members to consider the following:
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Others
Our Partners
