Delta

Understand

Halfway between Grand Junction and Montrose, Delta is located in an irrigated desert valley surrounded by mountains. It is the county seat for Delta County, and was named for its location on the delta of the Uncompahgre River. If you blow through town on Hwy 50, you are missing a quaint little community with a rich heritage and several sights worth seeing.

The 19th-century history of the Uncompahgre Valley is largely a rocky tale of strained race relations between white settlers and the Tabeguache branch of the Ute nation, who called the valley home.

Delta was established as a trading post at the confluence of the Uncompahgre and Gunnison Rivers (the latter alternatively called the Uncompahgre and Blue or the Eagle Tail). Built in 1828 by Antoine Robidoux, Fort Uncompahgre was neutral ground used by soldiers, traders, trappers and Native Americans. The fort lasted for 18 years and eventually came to a tragic end.

In September 1844, most of the trading post's occupants were killed in an attack by the Ute, sparked by a regional dispute that took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The Utes fought a rear guard action for the next 40 years, with intermittent settler encroachments on their lands. The U.S. further exacerbated the problem by trying to force the Utes to abandon their nomadic lifestyle and become farmers. The head of the government's Indian Agency, Nathan Cook Meeker, approached the Utes with a mixture of arrogance and hostility. He plowed up a Ute horse-racing track to plant a field, and later engaged in a fist fight with the owner of the race track. In 1879, Meeker telegraphed for military assistance, and the Federal government responded with around 200 soldiers to police the area. The situation was handled with mutual mistrust on both sides, and several skirmishes occurred. The crisis culminated with the Utes killing several whites at the Indian Agency (including Meeker) and launching the so-called Ute War. Initially successful, the Utes were forcibly relocated to Utah, and Southwestern Colorado, near Cortez. The Uncompahgre Reservation was opened to settlers in the fall of 1881. George A. Crawford, founder of Grand Junction, secured a townsite from W. C. Stephens. The Uncompahgre Town and Improvement Company was established, incorporating as Delta in 1882. It was named as the county seat the following year.

The area's economy relied primarily on orchards and ranching, industries which continue to this day.

In the 20th century, the residents of Delta initiated reconciliation efforts with the Utes, founding the Ute Council Tree Pow Wow & Cultural Festival in 1992. Located in Confluence Park at a 200 year old cottonwood tree, the council tree was the traditional gathering place and mediation spot for the Utes. The three branches of the Ute nation gather each September and celebrate with dancing, singing, Native American artwork and a reconstructed tee pee village.

Deltans further celebrate their pioneer heritage with a reconstruction of Fort Uncompaghre, a living history museum that features authentically dressed interpreters who guide you through the fort.

Delta has paleontological wonders, as well. In 1971, locals discovered dinosaur bones at nearby Dry Mesa. Twenty-three genera of Jurassic-era dinosaurs have been found in the quarry, including brachiosaurs, supersauruses and ultrasauruses. The Dry Mesa Quarry is amongst the most diverse fossil beds in North America.

In the 1990s, grape growers discovered the area's potential for raising white wine varietals, and Colorado's wine industry migrated south from Grand Junction and Palisade. The West Elks American Viticultural Area was formed in 2001. Ranging from 5,400 feet (1646 m) to 6,400 feet (1951 m) above sea level, West Elks comprises some of the highest vineyards in the world.

Get in

• Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), 2100 Airport Road, Phone: +1 970 249-3203, Fax: +1 970 249-2808 Regional service from Denver. Used most heavily during ski season. Cafe, vending, restrooms, car rentals.

There are also airports in Denver and Grand Junction.

• Denver International Airport, (DEN). Commonly referred to as DIA. It is located about 20 miles to the east of downtown. Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all maintain hubs at the airport in Concourses A, B, and C respectively. Most other major domestic carriers also have service here.
• Grand Junction Regional Airport, (GJT), otherwise known as Walker Field, is served by six airlines with nonstop service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Some service is seasonal.

By car

• US 50 runs north-south through town, from Grand Junction to the north and south to Gunnison and Pueblo.
• US 92 runs east-west from Hotchkiss, Paonia and Aspen.

By train

Amtrak serves nearby Grand Junction with the California Zephyr, which runs daily between Emeryville (in the San Francisco Bay Area) and Chicago. For more information, see rail travel in the US.

But once at the rail station, you will still have to rent a car.

Get around

US 50 turns into Main St. through town. The downtown area is stretched along Main, with the center of town at 4th St. This area of shops, theaters and restaurants is easily navigated by foot. But for the larger area, you will need a car or bike.

Go next

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - A deep, narrow gorge.
• 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.