Delta stands on Colorado’s Western Slope at the confluence of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre rivers and the junction of highways 50 and 92. The town dates to 1828, when a fort was established on the site to promote trade with local tribes. Today, Delta and the surrounding area are known for outdoor recreation and wineries.
Arts and Antiques
- Dubbed the “city of murals,” Delta showcases public art, with paintings and sculptures scattered throughout the downtown area. Since 1987, city administrators have commissioned local artists to adorn buildings with images of local history, landscapes and people.Visitors interested in antiques might enjoy browsing in several Delta shops. At Charli's Charm, you can find not only antiques, but also arts, crafts and vintage horse tack. Jackie's Glowing Sensations supplements its collectible inventory with hand-poured candles. The Iron Pony specializes in Asian antiques and art, as well as cast-iron teapots.
Blasts from the Past
- Delve into Delta’s history at Fort Uncompahgre, a reconstruction of the trading post that stood in the present day town’s location. Next to Confluence Park, the fort is open throughout the year. In the Delta County Historical Museum, visitors can tour an old firehouse and see exhibits of butterflies, dinosaur bones and other fossils. The museum also provides information about the Delta Historic Walking Tour, which highlights buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Confluence Park and Recreation
- You can indulge in numerous outdoor activities in Delta’s Confluence Park. The park’s 60-acre lake is stocked annually with trout, has a designated swimming beach and permits kayaks and canoes. A smaller pond hosts swimming lessons in summer and skating during the winter. The park’s other attractions include volleyball courts, picnic sites and more than 5 miles of bicycle and walking trails.
Vineyard Varieties
- Within a 20-mile radius of Delta are several wineries that create vintages from locally grown fruits. Jack Rabbit Hill, east of Delta in Hotchkiss, specializes in wines made from organic and biodynamically grown fruit. To the northeast in Cedaredge, Woody Creek Cellars produces handmade, artisanal wines. In Olathe, southeast of Delta, Cottonwood Cellars/Olathe Winery and Mountain View Winery operate as family enterprises. Most wineries have tasting rooms or hold tastings by appointment.
Grand Tableland
- Grand Mesa, near Delta, is one of the world’s largest table mountains. Operated as a national forest, the mesa has miles of trails and more than 300 lakes where you can fish for brook, cutthroat and rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass and more. Other recreational opportunities include boating, hiking, four-wheeling and horseback riding. The mesa also affords opportunities for birdwatching and spotting wildlife, such as elk, pine martens, coyotes and beavers. A visitor center, campgrounds, lodges and several stores round out the amenities.
