Paonia Colorado

The town of Paonia Colorado lies near the head of the North Fork Valley, an area about 150 miles southwest of Denver, Colorado’s capital. It is situated at the foot of 11,000 ft. Mount Lamborn and the Grand Mesa. This valley forms the North fork of the Gunnison River and has many small communities which provide fruit and produce to consumers around the country. The North Fork Valley of Colorado was first explored in 1853 by US Army Captain John W. Gunnison, and Paonia was settled in 1880 following the Meeker Massacre and the subsequent closure of the Ute Indian Reservation by the Federal government.

The town name is a variation on the spelling of the Latin name for the flowering peony, and is further indication of the agricultural interest and heritage of the town. Paonia is known for its orchards, which produce excellent peaches, apples, cherries, and additionally, several vineyards and wineries which have recently been established in the area.

More Town Facts

Many of Paonia’s residents are employed in one of several coal mines located near Somerset a few miles from the town. The valley’s principal coal mines are Oxbow Mining’s Elk creek mine, Arch Coal’s West Elk Mine, and a mine run by Bowie Resources. The town itself is a colorful mix of styles and tastes, and has an assortment of murals painted on the side of local buildings. Walking through the town of Paonia you can see the heritage in old buildings and the artistic style of current residents displayed side by side.

Nearby Paonia State Park has an abundance of the area’s beautiful wildflowers, as well as camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife. It’s a quiet and beautiful location for a secluded get away. If you are interested in more lively activities, Paonia is the host of “Cherry Days” which is a festival held annually during the week of July 4th. There are parades, carnival games, food, live music and arts and crafts to enjoy as well as the prized cherries in the form of pies, juice, wine and more.

Summertime in Paonia also means free concerts in August – with “Paonia Pickin’ in the Park”. This family friendly concert series gets folks out into the warm summer evenings to enjoy music, food and fun. The annual Dreamtime Festival and the Mountain Harvest Festival are also events to look for when visiting the Paonia area. Come enjoy Colorado’s “Western Slope” hospitality and visit Paonia Colorado.

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