Loma, Colorado  Loma is an unincorporated community and census designated place in Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Loma is located northwest of Grand Junction. The Colorado River flows south of Loma. The name "Loma" is derived from a Spanish word meaning "small hill". The area was first inhabited by the Ute people, who had left by 1881. In 1882, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad completed a narrow gauge railroad through Loma. A standard gauge track was installed in 1890. Homesteaders began arriving in Loma in the late 1880s. Agriculture became a dominant feature in Loma's early economy, enabled by the completion of the Kiefer Extension irrigation canal in 1899. The railway provided easy shipment of crops and livestock to larger cities like Denver and Salt Lake City. The first school was established in the 1890s, and the two-story Loma School was constructed in 1910 from yellow brick, fired on the grounds. The brick school remained in use until 1982, when Loma Elementary School opened. In 1901, the Colorado Sugar Company opened of land near Loma to settlers. Sugar beets were a primary crop, and beet production dominated Loma's agriculture until the 1970s, when the Delta Sugar Beet factory closed. Potatoes were also grown by Loma farmers. The Loma post office opened in 1905, and has continued in operation since. In 1910, the church now known as Loma Community Church, was built. It has often been referred to as "The Church That Stayed". Virginia Donoho produced a 15,000 word history of the church by that same name in the early 1980s. In 1965 the building added indoor plumbing, a fellowship hall, a kitchen, and two bathrooms. In the late 70's a small addition was added. On Sunday mornings the ringing bell still welcomes members, regulars, and visitors. Verner Zevola Reed, known as "The Colorado Millionaire"", opened the Golden Hills ranch on of land he purchased north of Loma in 1907. Reed intended on growing apples, and installed an underground irrigation system to water his orchards. In 1911, the Loma Canning and Preserving Company opened a canning factory in Loma to process the anticipated harvests. The endeavor was not a success, and the canning factory closed a few years later without ever reaching its capacity. Reed sold the Golden Hills Ranch in 1923. A second irrigation canal called the Highline Canal was built through Loma in 1917, and led to significant economic growth and several bumper crops during the 1920s.