Country Living

Usually referred to as “The North Fork Valley,” the area east of Delta located all along the North Fork of the Gunnison River reserves a unique but still Colorado character.

Not being close to the major metropolitan areas of the Front Range, and not a besieged winter snow-ski resort, this area has retained an agricultural reputation abounding with rich soils, a temperate climate for growing and the ability to adapt to the production of a number of commercially profitable crops. Grazing for livestock is abundant as are regions for hay production. The soils and climate have proven for generations to be well suited for various fruit production. Wineries are now increasing in number and production of organic crops is rapidly growing. The first fruit trees were planted in the early 1880’s by Anglo settlers and many of their descendants still reside here. By 1892, Paonia fruit was winning awards at the Chicago Worlds fair. That reputation persists to the present. Cattle ranchers, cowboys and sheep-men are still to be found here providing a genuine western flavor. Coal production was also a large industry located farther up valley.
The property shown here, located not far from Hotchkiss, (we don’t want to reveal too much about location to protect the property owners), well represents the heritage of this Colorado valley. The well-kept, red barn, a field for grazing horses, the distant Landsend Peak, the setting sun and the alpenglow all reflect the spirit that has made this valley the home of the “rugged” individuals who have shaped a beautiful piece of Colorado.   Photo Taken Oct. 2019