Delta, CO: 5 walkable ways of enjoying this vibrant Downtown!

Delta – A Brief History

Native Americans

From about the mid-sixteenth century until the late nineteenth century, the Delta County area was primarily inhabited by two distinct bands of Utes: the Parianuche, or “elk people,” and the Tabeguache, or “the people of Sun Mountain.” Both groups followed centuries-old seasonal migration routes, tracking game such as elk, deer, and bison into the high country during the summer and wintering in lower places such as the Gunnison and Uncompahgre valleys.

In an effort to protect the many mining claims along the Front and Sawatch Ranges, the federal government confined the Utes to nearly the entire Western Slope of Colorado by a treaty in 1868. 

Explorers and Traders

In 1776 a Spanish expedition from New Mexico recorded contact with Parianuche Utes just west of present-day town of Delta. This expedition was likely the first group of Europeans to enter the area. Then trappers and traders arrived in the valley during the first two decades of the nineteenth century. The trader Antoine Robidoux set up a fort near Delta in 1828 named Fort Uncompahgre. The post featured Colorado’s first general store west of the Continental Divide and served as a supply hub and staging area for many of the region’s trapping expeditions. Trading persisted until 1844, when it was destroyed during conflicts with the Utes. The fort was reconstructed in 1989-90, and is open for visitors (Fort Uncopahgre visitor info).

Agriculture and Ranching

Fast on the heels of Ute removal came white occupation. The Uncompahgre Town Site Company was also established in 1881, and it changed the name of its site to Delta in 1882. That year, the narrow-gauge Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad also arrived, and the town of Delta was incorporated in 1902. Agriculture was a primary industry, specifically fruit, followed by ranching. Both industries benefited from the railroad, as well as large-scale irrigation projects between 1904 and 1917.

Although German immigrants worked field in the early twentieth century, they were largely replaced by Mexican field workers after German immigration restrictions during World War I.

Today

Today, Delta County remains one of the most important agricultural areas in Colorado. It was estimated in 2007 that about 70 percent of the apples and more than half of the pears grown in Colorado came from Delta County farms. In 2012 the county ranked second among all Colorado counties in sales of fruits, tree nuts, and berries.

#1. Enjoy the many Murals around downtown

The marketing brochures aren’t exaggerating when they call Delta the City of Murals. Wow! They are everywhere and eye catching! Several of the murals involved 3d illusions and have historical imagery of significance.

#2. Lots of ways to Shop Local! Visit the wide variety of downtown businesses

We started our morning with a large and tasty breakfast at CJs Cafe. From there we walked down the Main Street enjoying the people, the shops and the all the forms of public art. Below is a list of just a few of downtown businesses that stood out to us, in part because they provide community space and/or fill a community need.

• Doghouse Espresso – Google Maps – local coffee shop; good google reviews
• Moca Joe’s – Google Maps – local coffee shop; good google reviews
• Drost’s Chocolates – Google Maps – local chocolate shop w/ strong google reviews
• 4th & Main Exchange – Google Maps – local Antique store with strong google reviews
• Thrifty Kens Odds & Ends – Google Maps – retail store w/great google reviews
• Clubb’s Fabric Store – Google Maps – popular fabric store w/ good google reviews
• TAQUERIA MASTER LLC – Google Maps – Main Street Mexican food w/ great google reviews
• El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant – Google Maps – Main Street Mexican food w/ great google reviews
• CB’s Tavern – Google Maps – Main street popular Bar & Grill
• Columbine Village Mall – Google Maps – picturesque indoor mall, decorated like a small town street scape 🙂
• Davis Clothing Company, Incorporated – Google Maps – clothing store w/remarkably strong google reviews
• Mimi’s Sweet Treats, llc – Google Maps – popular local ice cream shop!
• C&J Cafe – Google Maps – we had breakfast here – great food and fun local atmosphere
• Creations on Main Delta – Google Maps – bistro restaurant w/good google reviews
• Daveto’s Italian Restaurant – Google Maps – Italian restaurant on Main w/good google reviews
• More Than Books – Google Maps – love a good local book store!
• Upscale Resale – Google Maps – Consignment shop w/fun items outside and good google reviews
• Delta House – Google Maps – Assisted Living home, beautifully maintained with a very cool mural of Art Briggs (1938-2009) who was “an iconic figure around town. Art could often be seen drinking coffee, sitting on the park bench watching the cars go by. This mural was commissioned by the Delta House to commemorate his passing.“
• Delta Elks Lodge #1235 – Google Maps – huge old building, beautifully renovated! community event venue

#3. Admire the town aesthetic – lots of Flowers and Statues!

Along with all the Main Street murals, we were also impressed with the large number of flower planters and the beautiful statues.

#4. Relax in the many Parks and Parklets

As we walked Main Street, we were particularly impressed with the parklets between a couple of the historic buildings. They had beautiful mural paintings, places to sit, flowers, shade – over all a very nice place to hang out while taking advantage of unique photo ops!

There are also many more traditional green space parks around Delta. Nice!

• Confluence Park – Google Maps – many local events are staged in this park
• Cleland Park – Google Maps
• The Yard Family Fun Center – Google Maps – miniature golf course
• Mountain View Park – Google Maps
• Sweitzer Lake State Park – Google Maps
• Tamarac Park – Google Maps
• Cottonwood park – Google Maps
• Escalante State Wildlife Area – Google Maps

#5. Visit the beautifully restored historic Egyptian Theater

The Delta Egyptian Theater is one of the most unique historic theaters we have seen in any town!

“By the 1930’s, the Delta Egyptian Theater was one of over 100 theaters across the country to decorate itself in an Egyptian Revival style. This historic theater owes this connection to the discovery of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. That discovery set off a nationwide interest in everything Egyptian. There are only 6 remaining Egyptian Theaters in the United States today.“

It offers a variety of new and old films as well as live performances and other local events.

• Delta Egyptian Theater – Google Maps

The Delta Egyptian Theater (1928) is the crown jewel of Main Street in downtown Delta, Colorado. The theater benefits the whole community.

The Delta Egyptian Theater needs continued renovations and expansion to bring it back to its original purpose of cinema and live performances. With great help and donations over the past year, the theater is now able to present movies, live music, and the performing arts.

Annual Events

• June: Delta Outdoor Heritage Days in Confluence Park
• June: Annual Crawford Pioneer Days with Festival fireworks over Crawford State Park
• June: North Fork Uncorked at wineries of the West Elks Wine Trail (Panoia and Hotchkiss)
• July: 4th of July Western Sky Balloon Festival in Confluence Park in Delta
• July: Annual Paonia Cherry Days – in neighboring town of Paonia
• July: Deltarado Days at Cleland Park and other locations in Delta
• August: West Elks Wine Trail – at wineries of the West Elks Wine Trail, pairing food and wine!
• September: Mountain Harvest Festival – in neighboring town of Paonia
• October: Cedaredge Applefest – in neighboring town of Cedaredge

Organizations that Support Community in Delta

The City of Delta has been working hard on community development projects! As the county seat, it is also apparent that the towns of Delta County work together as a regional community to thrive. See several example below.

• City Government of Delta –
  • Community Development -this place has so much going on! 🙂
    • Urban Renewal Authority | Delta, CO – Delta has taken an intentional approach for Urban Renewal to “Preserve and enhance our community through collaborative efforts providing services that improve quality of life.” –
    • Comprehensive Plan | Delta, CO – “Delta Unleashed, City of Delta Comprehensive Plan 2021 was adopted on January 4, 2022“
    • Places Brand Management and Marketing | Delta, CO – Intentional Community Branding! “oversees graphic identity, brand imagery, events, arts & culture, along with community engagement and historic preservation. ”
      • Mural Virtual Tour App | Delta, CO – “Delta Colorado is the City of Murals. There are over 20 unique creations gracing the exteriors of buildings in the Delta Downtown Area.” – Link to a Virtual Tour of murals in Delta and a Walking Map of Murals (printable)
    • 4th Street Hill Reconstruction Project | Delta, CO – Improving walkability! “…Construction will include a full surface rebuild and expansion of the asphalt surface to accommodate addition of bike lanes, construction of a widened sidewalk for pedestrians and addition of pedestrian sidewalk on the west side… will also be reconfigured to improve visibility, reduce pedestrian/vehicular conflict, and simply traffic movements.“
    • Downtown Demonstration Project | Delta, CO – improving walkability! “This is a test project to make Main Street safer by slowing down and reducing traffic to create safer pedestrian areas. Nothing will become permanent before this new traffic calming pattern is extensively tested through this demonstration project.”
    • Alley Activation Grants | Delta, CO – Improving spaces between and behind buildings! “The City of Delta will be awarding grants to support the revitalization of our downtown and have $50,000 available to address a downtown alley activation program. The City will be accepting applications … for grants up to $5,000.“
    • Historic Preservation | Delta, CO – the city of Delta takes an active approach to historic preservation, with over 40 building having received local, state and or national designation.
• Home | Delta Egyptian Theater – The Delta Egyptian Theater Corporation (501c3) is actively working to restore, preserve, and operate the Delta Egyptian Theater for community benefit. It was first restored in teh 1990s, reopened in 1997 and renovated again in 2009 toa accommodate for new 3D technology.The work continues as they continue to solicit donations, while providing community entertainment.
  • Events | Delta Egyptian Theater
• Delta Area Chamber of Commerce
• Home – Delta County Tourism
  • Electronic copy of the Delta County Visitors Guide
  • Devil’s Thumb Golf Course Latest Updates! | Delta, CO
    • Golf Course website
• Fort Uncompahgre Interpretive Center (U.S. National Park Service)
• Mission – One Delta County – “We are a 501(c) 3 non-profit, investor-based corporation taking a new approach to economic development in Delta County… Mission: The purpose of the One Delta County is to promote, strengthen and enhance Delta County’s economic base including the towns and municipalities of Cedaredge, Crawford, Delta, Hotchkiss, Orchard City and Paonia. ”
  • Opportunity Zones – One Delta County

Map of Delta