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Delta County, with a total population of 29,950 is made up of six communities offering diverse access to resources and attributes. Unincorporated Delta County has a population of 13,064.
Cedaredge: ELEVATION 6,264 FT. Cedaredge is a growing community located south of Grand Mesa in Delta County. Cedaredge is located in the Upper Surface Creek Area in a prominent location on the south slope of Grand Mesa. Cedaredge has long been known as the gateway to Grand Mesa, a distinctive landmark as the world's largest flat top mountain. Nestled on the sunny side of Grand Mesa, the Town of Cedaredge is ideally situated at a comfortable elevation of 6,200 feet. The valleys on the south side are blessed with some of the mildest weather in Colorado. For nearly a century, fruit growers have found this climate, along with abundant irrigation water from Grand Mesa, ideal for apples, peaches, apricots, cherries and pears. More recently innovative growers in the Surface Creek area have discovered mild seasons perfect for wine grapes.
Crawford: ELEVATION 6,520 FT. Named after Captain George A. Crawford whose idea to start a post office in this area resulted in the growth of a town, the Town of Crawford is the high-altitude beauty of the North Fork Valley. The Town of Crawford has long been known as a cow town and for its cattle drives down main street, which is Hwy. 92, each spring and fall. Crawford is the gateway to the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park which provides numerous outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter and hiking, biking and photography in the summer. Many areas in Crawford Country are natural migratory routes for both elk and deer making Crawford a great place to come and hunt! The outlying areas are popular birthing grounds for hundreds of cow elk and doe. At various times during the year, you may see bear, wild turkey, pheasants, hawks eagles, bob cat, fox, coyotes, rabbits, an occasional mountain lion as well as Gunnison sage grouse. |
City of Delta: ELEVATION 4953 FT. The City of Delta, the namesake and seat of Delta County, was originally set up as a trading post for Ute Indians and the new settlers from the east. Delta is situated where the Uncompahgre and Gunnison Rivers come together. Take some time to visit the "City of Murals" and hike in the designated Dominquez / Escalante National Wilderness Areas. You will discover lots of wall art in Delta, murals on the walls of the city's buildings and rock art on the walls of its canyons. Hotchkiss: ELEVATION 5,351 FT. The Town of Hotchkiss is found in the heart of the North Fork Valley, a hub for all those winter and summer activities that the wonderful Western Slope of Colorado has to offer. Hotchkiss offers a place for folks to come and meet from all over the County, at Memorial Hall and the County Fairgrounds. As every year passes, the Town becomes more and more of a location where people travel to hunt, fish and take in the local atmosphere. Fresh fruits from local orchards, tasty wines from local vineyards and fresh vegetables from local farmers offers some of the most sought after flavors not found anywhere else other than the North Fork Valley. Hotchkiss is home of the Hotchkiss Sheep Camp Stock Dog Trials, the Delta County Fair, and some of the best Champion Fly Fishing on the nearby Gunnison River. Hotchkiss is nestled in one of the most beautiful, breathtaking environments, having so much to offer for those looking for a getaway, getting back to nature, or just experiencing some of the most delicious tastes in Wine and Food. |
Orchard City: ELEVATION 5,040 FT.
As you slowly ascend the rolling hillside up to the Grand Mesa, you will pass through Orchard City – a unique agricultural, residential and recreational area nestled between the cities of Delta to the southwest, Cedaredge to the north, and Hotchkiss to the east. Despite being the largest municipality in terms of square miles in Delta County, Orchard City is primarily recognized by the names of three smaller and older areas within its boundaries – Austin, Eckert, and Cory. They all had separate beginnings, but somehow through a unique course of events came together.
Paonia: ELEVATION 5,645 FT. Home to gigabit broadband service, the town of Paonia is named for the peony flower. Legend has it that Samuel Wade, who settled the area with William Clark and Enos Hotchkiss, wanted to name the town after one of his favorite flowers, using the greek spelling Paeonia. Whether the name was misspelled intentionally or by accident, when the town was incorporated in 1902, it was given the name Paonia. Peony plants from the original stock are said to be growing today in Paonia Town Park more than 100 years later. Paonia is naturally air conditioned by warm air flowing up the valley at night and cool air from the mountains during the day resulting in optimal conditions for growing cherries, apricots, grapes, peaches, plums, pears, nectarines and apples. The oldest continuous outdoor community celebration is Paonia Cherry Days held over the Fourth of July holiday. Paonia is a focal point of back roads and trails leading into the forest, attracting hunters, hikers bicyclists and cross-country skiers. Hunters outfit themselves in Paonia before setting out to get their elk, deer, and bear. Few places offer such a wonderful combination of climate, scenery, lifestyle and recreation. |