Paonia

United_States

Grand Avenue in Paonia, Colorado.

Paonia is a town in the Northwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado. It is the nearest town to the West Elks American Viticultural Area (AVA), part of Colorado's Wine Country and home to the highest wine vineyards in North America.

Home to environmentalists, new age-ers, artists, activists, as well as coal miners, organic farmers and ranchers, Paonia prides itself on its off-beat culture.

For a small town, Paonia is a bastion of progressive media, community activism and liberal thinking. Downtown Paonia boasts The High Country News, an environmental newspaper renown for its investigative journalism. KVNF (90.9 FM) is a left-leaning Paonia-based public radio station that broadcasts from Grand Junction to Lake City.

Grand Avenue in Paonia is an eclectic mix of art galleries and boutique shops, and makes for a diverting couple of hours of browsing.

It's somehow fitting that a town filled with so many aging Flower Children from the 1960s is also named after a flower. Incorporated in 1881, Paonia was named by its founder, Samuel Wade, for the peony rootstock which he brought with him by covered wagon. Wade submitted the Latin name for the flower, "Paeonia" as the official town name to the US Postal Service. The Post Office wouldn't allow the extra vowel, so the name was shortened to "Paonia."

Paonia is a rich agricultural region with many orchards, organic farms and vineyards. In 2001, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms designated the mesas around Paonia as the "West Elks American Viticultural Area." At 6,417 ft (1956 m) above sea level, this wine region is amongst the highest in the world. Grapes grown in the area include Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir.

  • The Blue Sage, 228 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-7243. Community-owned performing arts center, with nationally known artists and writers performing. A valley symphony, a valley youth orchestra, various chamber groups plus contemporary music acts play at the center.
  • North Fork Historical Museum, 1514 Highway 187, +1 970-527-7440. Set in Paonia River Park, features 19th and 20th century history at the Paonia Museum and the Bowie Schoolhouse Museum.
  • Paradise Theatre, 215 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-6610. Funky independent movie theater dating from the 1920s. offering first and second-run movies, independent and foreign films, live entertainment, music and community events.

  • Delta, Montrose, Paonia & Hotchkiss - Follow US 92 west along the Gunnison River. Turn north on US 65 and stop at the wineries along Surface Creek, on the south slope of Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain in the world. Or, travel along the North Fork of the Gunnison River on US 92 east out of Delta and then US 133. This will take you to Hotchkiss and Paonia, where you will find yourself in the West Elks AVA.
  • Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway. Road traversing the world's largest flattop mountain. Begins at Cedaredge Pioneer Town Museum Welcome Center on US 65 off US 92. The Land O'Lakes Visitor Center, Land's End, and Plateau Valley Area offer fishing, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, photography and amazing views.

Delta, Montrose, Paonia & Hotchkiss - Follow US 92 west along the Gunnison River. Turn north on US 65 and stop at the wineries along Surface Creek, on the south slope of Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain in the world. Or, travel along the North Fork of the Gunnison River on US 92 east out of Delta and then US 133. This will take you to Hotchkiss and Paonia, where you will find yourself in the West Elks AVA.

Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway. Road traversing the world's largest flattop mountain. Begins at Cedaredge Pioneer Town Museum Welcome Center on US 65 off US 92. The Land O'Lakes Visitor Center, Land's End, and Plateau Valley Area offer fishing, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, photography and amazing views.

The Blue Sage, 228 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-7243. Community-owned performing arts center, with nationally known artists and writers performing. A valley symphony, a valley youth orchestra, various chamber groups plus contemporary music acts play at the center.

North Fork Historical Museum, 1514 Highway 187, +1 970-527-7440. Set in Paonia River Park, features 19th and 20th century history at the Paonia Museum and the Bowie Schoolhouse Museum.

Paradise Theatre, 215 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-6610. Funky independent movie theater dating from the 1920s. offering first and second-run movies, independent and foreign films, live entertainment, music and community events.

  • Tabeguache Trail, +1 970-244-3000. Trail crosses public land for 142 miles connecting Montrose and Grand Junction, Colorado. The Tabeguache Trail begins in Shavano Valley and weaves through the canyons, mesas and highlands of the Uncompahgre Plateau before ending in "No Thoroughfare Canyon," a few miles west of Grand Junction.

Tabeguache Trail, +1 970-244-3000. Trail crosses public land for 142 miles connecting Montrose and Grand Junction, Colorado. The Tabeguache Trail begins in Shavano Valley and weaves through the canyons, mesas and highlands of the Uncompahgre Plateau before ending in "No Thoroughfare Canyon," a few miles west of Grand Junction.

  • Crawford Reservoir. Created by Crawford Dam which crosses Iron Creek, a tributary of the Smith Fork of the Gunnison River. Fishing, boating, waterskiing, sailboarding, and swimming.
  • Paonia State Park, +1 970-921-5721. 24 hours. Scenery, water-skiing, wildflowers and camping, all in view of the Ragged Mountains

Crawford Reservoir. Created by Crawford Dam which crosses Iron Creek, a tributary of the Smith Fork of the Gunnison River. Fishing, boating, waterskiing, sailboarding, and swimming.

Paonia State Park, +1 970-921-5721. 24 hours. Scenery, water-skiing, wildflowers and camping, all in view of the Ragged Mountains

The West Elks AVA is home to many fine wineries in Colorado's Wine Country. Spend an afternoon tasting and buying local wines.

  • April - Annual Blossom Walk
  • May - Annual Sheep Camp Stock Dog Trials
  • June - Crawford Pioneer Days - Crawford
  • July - Cherry Days, Dreamtime Festival
  • August- Annual Wine and Dine
  • September - Mountain Harvest Festival
  • November - Barrel Tasting Thanksgiving Weekend

April - Annual Blossom Walk

May - Annual Sheep Camp Stock Dog Trials

June - Crawford Pioneer Days - Crawford

July - Cherry Days, Dreamtime Festival

August- Annual Wine and Dine

September - Mountain Harvest Festival

November - Barrel Tasting Thanksgiving Weekend

  • Ashley Benton Fine Art @ Studio 334, 334 Grand Ave.
  • Blue Sage Art Gallery & Gift Shop, 228 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-7243. Hand made gifts, fine art and jewelry.
  • Eleswhere Gallery, 107 3rd St. Mix of artists' studios and artists-in-residence. Offers local art classes. The studio's mediums include oil painting, mosaics & silk screened clothing.
  • Elisabethan, 111-B 1st St (behind High Country Printing, +1 970-527-4073. Eclectic boutique features clothing and accessories for women and children made from reclaimed and vintage fabrics, jewelry, quilts and homemade jams
  • Expressions Book Store, 302 2nd St, +1 970-527-6450. A general bookstore that includes a new art show every 2-3 months, pottery, local music and Putumayo CDs.
  • Hays Drug Store, 224 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-4109. Old fashioned, family owned drug store sells sweats, souvenirs and t-shirts
  • HunterGatherer Gallery, 217 Grand Ave, +1 970-260-4321. Displays fine arts and crafts of local artists. Monthly exhibits.

Ashley Benton Fine Art @ Studio 334, 334 Grand Ave.

Blue Sage Art Gallery & Gift Shop, 228 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-7243. Hand made gifts, fine art and jewelry.

Eleswhere Gallery, 107 3rd St. Mix of artists' studios and artists-in-residence. Offers local art classes. The studio's mediums include oil painting, mosaics & silk screened clothing.

Elisabethan, 111-B 1st St (behind High Country Printing, +1 970-527-4073. Eclectic boutique features clothing and accessories for women and children made from reclaimed and vintage fabrics, jewelry, quilts and homemade jams

Expressions Book Store, 302 2nd St, +1 970-527-6450. A general bookstore that includes a new art show every 2-3 months, pottery, local music and Putumayo CDs.

Hays Drug Store, 224 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-4109. Old fashioned, family owned drug store sells sweats, souvenirs and t-shirts

HunterGatherer Gallery, 217 Grand Ave, +1 970-260-4321. Displays fine arts and crafts of local artists. Monthly exhibits.

  • Aspen Leaf Catering and Deli, 201 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-3355.
  • Flying Fork Cafe & Bakery, Corner 3rd & Main St, +1 970-527-3203. Freshly baked artisan breads and pastries. Pasta, grilled muscovy duck, beef tenderloin, daily fresh fish or homemade lasagne and ravioli. Wines from Colorado and Italy.
  • Homestead Beef, 11312 3800 Rd, +1 970-527-4350. An artisan processing plant serving up fresh meats for cooking, a good stop for picnic provisions for proponents of the local foods movement. Serving up elk, lamb, beef, produce and local specialties. Ready-to-eat entrees such as beef Stroganoff, meatloaf and red chili con carne
  • Fiesta Vallarta, 240 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-4187. Mexican food and a local favorite.
  • Louie's, 202 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-3265. Rock &roll themed pizza palace.

Aspen Leaf Catering and Deli, 201 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-3355.

Flying Fork Cafe & Bakery, Corner 3rd & Main St, +1 970-527-3203. Freshly baked artisan breads and pastries. Pasta, grilled muscovy duck, beef tenderloin, daily fresh fish or homemade lasagne and ravioli. Wines from Colorado and Italy.

Homestead Beef, 11312 3800 Rd, +1 970-527-4350. An artisan processing plant serving up fresh meats for cooking, a good stop for picnic provisions for proponents of the local foods movement. Serving up elk, lamb, beef, produce and local specialties. Ready-to-eat entrees such as beef Stroganoff, meatloaf and red chili con carne

Fiesta Vallarta, 240 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-4187. Mexican food and a local favorite.

Louie's, 202 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-3265. Rock &roll themed pizza palace.

  • 133 Liquor, 427 Samuel Wade Rd (turn towards Paonia at the Conoco gas station, +1 970-527-4575. M-Sa 8AM-9PM.
  • Austin's Restaurant & Bar, 1215 2nd St, +1 970-527-4599.
  • Revolution Brewing, 325 Grand Ave, +1 970-260-4869. Tu-Su 4PM-close. Stout, India Pale Ale, Red, and Golden ales, plus root beer and cherry soda (made with local organic cherries). The tasting room is in a former church with an attractive front porch and beer garden in the back.
  • Backcountry Coffee, 210 3rd St, +1 970 527-5080. M-F 7AM-2PM, Sa 7AM-1PM. internet access
  • Thomas Waldos, 238 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-5797. In the basement of Fiesta Vallarta, although from time to time in the summer they have a BBQ on the back patio.

133 Liquor, 427 Samuel Wade Rd (turn towards Paonia at the Conoco gas station, +1 970-527-4575. M-Sa 8AM-9PM.

Austin's Restaurant & Bar, 1215 2nd St, +1 970-527-4599.

Revolution Brewing, 325 Grand Ave, +1 970-260-4869. Tu-Su 4PM-close. Stout, India Pale Ale, Red, and Golden ales, plus root beer and cherry soda (made with local organic cherries). The tasting room is in a former church with an attractive front porch and beer garden in the back.

Backcountry Coffee, 210 3rd St, +1 970 527-5080. M-F 7AM-2PM, Sa 7AM-1PM. internet access

Thomas Waldos, 238 Grand Ave, +1 970-527-5797. In the basement of Fiesta Vallarta, although from time to time in the summer they have a BBQ on the back patio.

Most Starbucks, hotels and coffee shops throughout the region offer wireless Wi-Fi access. But if you don't have a computer, try the public libraries.

  • Paonia Public Library, 140 Grand Ave 81428, +1 970-527-3470.

Paonia Public Library, 140 Grand Ave 81428, +1 970-527-3470.

Glenwood Hots Springs Pool. A huge hot spring pool that is the signature attraction of [[Glenwood Springs]].

[[Curecanti National Recreation Area]] - The visitor center is located off US 50 on the access road to Morrow Point Dam.

Uncompahgre National Forest - Over a million acres comprise some of the most spectacular views in the Rockies.