PAONIA, COLORADO

Creative District

PAONIA CREATIVE DISTRICT is a hub of arts and cultural activity. Turn of the century buildings housing local shops, galleries, restaurants, artist studios, an arts center, an artist residency program, a historic movie theatre, and a community radio station add to the charm of the Rockwellian scene. Paonia hosts a population of 1,500 and is nestled at the base of Mount Lamborn in Delta County, Colorado. As a state Certifed Creative District, Paonia is an appealing place to live, visit, and conduct business.

Supporting Creatives

Creative Industries

COMMUNITIES with diversifed economies are more resilient to changing economic and sociopolitical trends. We encourage the diversifcation and stability of our economy by focusing on our creative industries. We support many types of makers, including, but not limited to: visual artists, designers, performing artists, culinary artists and value-added food makers, arts activists, young artists and healing arts practitioners. Our Programs are designed to strengthen and enhance the creative labors of our community.

Directory of Creatives
While in Paonia

Things to Do

The Paonia Creative District is packed with events and activities year round. There is always something happening in this little town.

  • Visit local galleries and artists studios
  • Check out the fantastic shopping on Grand Avenue
  • Taste the delicious food and drink from our valley
  • Tour the many North Fork farms and wineries
  • Enjoy the gorgeous scenery with a local bike tour
  • Rejuvenate with a massage and a walk at the River Park
  • Enjoy a classical concert or a bluegrass show
Join Us

Annual Events

  • Solar Fair
  • Final Friday Frolics
  • North Fork Uncorked
  • Float Trip + River Festival
  • Blue Sage Regatta
  • Cherry Days Parade + Festival
  • Pickin’ in the Park
  • West Elks Wine Trail
  • NFVCC Art + Ag Tour
  • Mountain Harvest Festival
  • Oktoberfest
  • Gears and Beers
  • Colorado Cider Fest
  • Holiday Art Fair
Monthly

Final Friday Frolics

Downtown Paonia sparkles with creativity during Final Friday Frolics. The last Friday of each month, May thru October, visit galleries, studios, boutiques and restaurants.

Enjoy our tasty local food and wine, mingle with the community and find the perfect treasure to take home.

Check our events calendar to see what Final Friday Frolic participants are offering. You never know what you might find...wine tasting, farm to table dinners, live music, exhibition openings and more!

Labor Day

Art+Ag Tour

Tour the beautiful countryside of the North Fork Valley on Labor Day weekend. Located at the base of Mt Lamborn on the Western Slope, the North Fork Valley is abundant with organic farms, orchards, wineries, and artists’ studios.

Spend the day visiting with local creatives, farmers, vintners and more. Finish the evening at our annual 'Celebrate the Fork' farm to table dinner.