Paonia, Mountain town in Delta County, Colorado
Paonia is a mountain town in Delta County, Colorado, situated on the North Fork Gunnison River at 1,732 meters elevation. The settlement occupies a mountainous area defined by its location near Mount Lamborn.
The settlement was founded in 1880 by Samuel Wade and William Clark following the federal closure of the Ute Indian Reservation in the North Fork Valley. This establishment marked the beginning of European-American settlement in the region.
The town centers on local farming and sustainable living practices, visible in community gatherings and the residents' commitment to ecological agriculture.
The area experiences warm summer days and cold winters, with substantial snowfall during the season. Visitors should prepare for the mountain elevation, particularly those arriving from lower regions.
The name comes from peony roots that founder Samuel Wade brought from Ohio and originally intended to call Paeonia. Postal regulations prompted the shortened name Paonia, which the town uses today.
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