Puelenje, Rural settlement in Popayán, Colombia.

Puelenje is a rural settlement in the Popayán district of Colombia, situated at 1,770 meters (5,800 feet) in the Pubenza valley. The area lies between the Cauca River to the north and the municipalities of El Tambo and Timbío, featuring agricultural landscapes and traditional residential structures.

Puelenje began as a pueblo de indios after Popayán's founding in 1537, when Yanaconas and Pubenenses were settled on lands granted to Captain Pedro de Velasco. In 1538–1539 Lorenzo de Aldana assigned him the Coconucos encomienda, which included Puelenje, and on 2 January 1582 governor Sancho García del Espinar made him titleholder of its lands. The town was refounded in 1745, when the cacique Puelenje's descendant and the indian captain Chiribío were present.

The village church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, one of Popayán's patron saints, and to him the 18th-century landowner Dionisia Pérez Manrique, Marquise of San Miguel de la Vega, held particular devotion. The community's main festivity honours the Amo Jesús, and in 2021 local gastronomy, guarapo, chirimía music, crafts and this religious celebration were cited when Puelenje was named an Orange Economy development area.

Puelenje lies south of Popayán in the Pubenza valley, at 1,770 m above sea level, near coordinates 2°26′06″N 76°37′32″W. The corregimiento supplies part of the region's agricultural produce, so local farm goods can be found in the settlement. The church is dedicated to San Juan Bautista, a patron saint of Popayán.

In December 2021, the settlement became the first designated Orange Economy Development Area in the Cauca region, supporting creative and cultural businesses. This designation makes it a test ground for new cultural business models and demonstrates confidence in local creative potential.