Hotchkiss, CO: 5 Unique Ways to Experience Local Art!

Hotchkiss – A Brief History

A post office called Hotchkiss has been in operation since 1882. The town is named after Enos T. Hotchkiss, a local pioneer. Hotchkiss was incorporated in May 1900 and became a central point of community for the region.

The town’s history is deeply embedded in agriculture and farming, striving for a sustaining community. The incredible growing opportunities the North Fork Valley provides has brought the town notoriety for its orchards, wineries and vineyards and all produce from local farmers. Today, popular outdoor recreation activities around the area include hiking, fishing, camping, mountain biking, hunting, and off-highway recreation in and around the mountain ranges and the nearby Gunnison River.

#1. Enjoy the various colorful murals and other art around town!

Our first stop was the used book store on Bridge Street, Hwy 92 through the business district of Hotchkiss. From there we continued down the street admiring the various historic buildings, mostly filled with a variety of businesses. As we walked, we noticed a variety of fun objects of art – until we came to a particularly vibrant wall mural on the side of an old building. Very cool!

#2. Check out the Creamery Arts Center! (and other community spaces)

“Building Community Through Arts, Education and ​Agricultural Outreach”

Our favorite business in town was the Creamery Arts Center, which has an impressive collection of local art for sale, including a collection created by youth artists! It also has a stage for performances as well as other event space, as well as offering art classes and sponsoring various events. Super community concept!

• 1939 – the Creamery building was opened as a cooperative creamery by the North Fork Creamery Association.   
• 2005 – the vision of a community space for education and the arts beganm when the vacant and run down one story Creamery building was given new life with an extensive remodeled into a world-class art gallery and education center by a local citizen.
• 2006 – the Creamery Arts Center opened as an artisans’ cooperative.
• 2016 – after a decade of serving the art community in Delta County, the Creamery Arts Center underwent a restructuring and has evolved into an attraction to visitors from outside the area. It strengthens art appreciation, provides low cost art classes to both area youth and adults, as well as gallery space for over 60 local artists and authors to sell their work. 

There are other popular community venues in town as well, including:

• Hotchkiss Library – Google Maps
• Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum – Google Maps –
• Hotchkiss Elks Lodge #1807 – Google Maps

#3. Admire the Church of Art (private home of a local artist)

We were fascinated by this historic church with beautiful murals and statues. We learned later that it was once open to the public, but now serves as a home and studio for a local artist (Etsy shop)

#4. Indulge in the art of homemade ice cream! and other local downtown businesses

A particularly unique business in downtown Hotchkiss is Third Bowl Homemade Ice Cream, a wholesale Ice cream manufacturer which sells to a wide variety (see who sells at this link) of Colorado Western Slope Grocery Stores and Ice Cream shops.

• Third Bowl Homemade Ice Cream – Google Maps – Creates ice cream and sells it wholesale
• Two Four Six Coffee – Google Maps – super cute local coffee shop with beautiful front patio
• Drive Brew Coffee and Blends – Google Maps
• Cowboys & Aliens Ice Cream and Arcade – Google Maps – serves Third Bowl ice-cream as well as other desserts!
• 476 Eatery – Google Maps – popular Thai restaurant
• Taco Hut – Google Maps
• T Bracket Pizza – Google Maps
• Pat’s Bar and Grill – Google Maps
• three 20 Bar & Grill – Google Maps
• Wills Gallery & Books – Google Maps – so many used books!!
• Western Slope SUP – Google Maps – “Western Slope SUP is your ticket to adventure in the North Fork Valley, Colorado. Our mission is to immerse you in the astounding natural beauty of Colorado’s Western Slope, entertain, educate, and provide you with the skills needed to enjoy your stand up paddle board, or river rafting experience.“
• Backcountry Goods Trading – Google Maps

#5. Indulge in the art of farm fresh food paired with good wine: Mesa Winds Winery farm-to-table winery and restaurant

After spending a fun afternoon in Hotchkiss, we drove a short distance to the Mesa Winds Farm & Winery. We ordered sea food, a dinner salad and dessert paired with a red wine tasting. Oh my gosh, so good!!!

• Mesa Winds Farm & Winery – Google Maps – we LOVED this place! Amazing food, beautifully presented and paired with fantastic wine
• Abundant Life Organic Farms – Google Maps – another local produce farm with great reviews

Annual Events

• May: Ela Family Farm Tour – “Once a year we invite our customers and friends to share the beauty of the farm – camp out, join the grand tour, and picnic in our orchard“
• May: Hotchkiss Sheep Camp Stock Dog Trials / Ute Trails Car Club Show 
• Summer: Hotchkiss Saturday Market at the Creamery
• August: Delta County Fair at the Fairgrounds in Hotchkiss
  • Delta County Fairgrounds – Google Maps – located near downtown Hotchkiss
• September: The Colorado Grand (1000 miles) – “Hosted by The North Fork Valley Chamber of Commerce and Ute Trails Car Club in rotating years in September.“
• October: North Fork Fiber Show at the Creamery

Organizations that support Community in Hotchkiss

• Home | Town of Hotchkiss – city government website
  • Downtown Improvement | Town of Hotchkiss
  • Community Master Plan | Town of Hotchkiss – prepared in fall 2006 and updated in 2012, interesting vision!
  • Ride-Along Program | Town of Hotchkiss – “The Hotchkiss Police Department is pleased to provide the opportunity for citizens to observe patrol operations.“
• North Fork Valley Chamber of Commerce from the towns and areas of Crawford, Hotchkiss and Paonia Colorado
  • The North Fork Valley Visitors Guide 2024 (digital)
• North Fork Valley Creative Coalition and Paonia Creative District – “Comprised of the 3 towns of Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford – we are a thriving community with visionary artists, creative businesses, and a special quality of life. The North Fork Valley Creative Coalition is a nonprofit organization that manages the Paonia Creative District, a state-certified district in the Colorado Creative Industries Creative District Program“
• Hotchkiss – Delta County Tourism
• The Creamery Arts Center – Home – “Building Community Through Arts, Education and ​Agricultural Outreach“
• Home – Hotchkiss Crawford Historical Society – “The communities of Delta County are rich with opportunities to explore the past through four separate interactive and impressive museums. The Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Society’s museum, located in downtown Hotchkiss, presents an exceptional collection of photographs and items associated with the early settlers of these communities.“

Map of Hotchkiss