Join Delta County for a special two-day event honoring our Agricultural heritage through local art, and community! “Celebrate Agriculture” takes place on Tuesday, November 17, and Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Heritage Hall, 403 S. 4th St.,  on the Delta County Fairgrounds in Hotchkiss.

Across two days, attendees can enjoy public mural viewings, the “Celebrating Ag Delta County” art show, guest speakers, and a free community dinner catered by Zack’s BBQ! Sponsored by the Delta County Commissioners.

Featuring :

• The Colorado Department of Agriculture Ag Mural, presented as part of the America 250 – Colorado 150 Commemoration.
• The Colorado 150: Highlighting Colorado’s Landscape Exhibit on loan from the Western Colorado Community Foundation
• Exhibits from local Delta County Artist
• Center Pieces created by and available for purchase by donation; funding to benefit the TSA Chapter / Arts Department for North Fork Valley High School “Soul Miners” .
• Free Community Dinner catered by Zack’s BBQ and sponsored by the Delta County Commissioners
• Guest Speakers- TBA
• Admission is completely free and open to the public.

Event Highlights & Schedule: ( Tentative and subject to change)

• Tuesday, November 17: Art & Agriculture
  • 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Public Viewing of the Ag Mural and the Community Ag  Art Show
  • FREE Admission to the Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Society Museum
    •  10 Am-1 PM
    • 180 2nd St, Hotchkiss, CO 81419
      Phone: (970) 872-3780

• Wednesday, November 18: Community Night
  • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Public Viewing of the Ag Mural and the Community Ag  Art Show
  • FREE Admission to the Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Society Museum
    • 1-4 PM
    • 180 2nd St, Hotchkiss, CO 81419
      Phone: (970) 872-3780
  •  FREE Community Dinner catered by Zack’s (served while food lasts!) 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM:
    •  Presenters:
      • Katie Pabloff: Delta County Tourism Cabinet Chair ( Welcome and MC)- Katie Pabloff serves as Chair of the Delta County Tourism Cabinet, where she is passionate about showcasing Delta County as a destination for agriculture, outdoor recreation, and culture. A proud Western Colorado resident who has called Delta County home for more than a decade, Katie has a deep appreciation for the people, hard work, and agricultural heritage that make this community so special. She believes that agriculture is at the heart of the Western Slope’s identity, shaping not only our landscapes and local economy but also the traditions, relationships, and sense of community that make this a wonderful place to call home. Professionally, Katie works as a Program Officer with Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), supporting partnerships and projects that strengthen rural communities and connect people to the outdoors. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, exploring the outdoors, and embracing all the things that make life on the Western Slope special. She’s honored to serve as today’s emcee and looks forward to celebrating the agricultural community and the people who help keep Delta County thriving.
      • Pledge of Allegiance: Saige Davis
    • Guest Speakers
      • Invocation: Pastor Jake DeField
      • Wendell Koontz; District 3 Delta County Commissioner – Wendell A. Koontz represents Delta County’s District 3, serving the North Fork Valley communities of Crawford, Hotchkiss, and Paonia. Now in his second term as county commissioner, he brings extensive leadership experience across local government, regional water management, and the natural resources sector to his work on behalf of Delta County.
        Commissioner Koontz serves as chair of the Gunnison Basin Roundtable and as the Western District Representative on the Board of Directors for Colorado Counties, Inc. His regional engagements include service as an Executive Board member of the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center at Colorado Mesa University, Technical Member of the Colorado RiverMap Project, and member of the Western Slope Outdoor Alliance. He is also a founding member of JOLT and a 2025 graduate of the National Association of Counties’ County Leadership Institute.
        His dedication to municipal leadership began in the Town of Hotchkiss, where he served as a trustee from 2006 to 2010 and as mayor from 2010 to 2018. As a county commissioner, he has championed key community and economic infrastructure initiatives, including The Miners Trail development and Delta County Fairgrounds enhancements. Koontz was honored as the Town of Hotchkiss Citizen of the Year in 2017 and Delta County Citizen of the Year in 2025.
        A Registered Professional Geologist and Registered Member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME), Koontz brings over 25 years of professional mining expertise. His industry background includes serving as Manager of Geology and Exploration for Wolverine Fuels and Senior Mine Geologist at Arch Coal’s West Elk Mine. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geology, with a minor in Business, from Hanover College in 1983.
        In recognition of his commitment to environmental stewardship, Koontz was honored with the Dr. James A. Pendleton Award for mined land reclamation in 2023. He and his wife, Esther, reside in Delta County’s North Fork Valley.
      • Mark Roeber; History of Delta County – Mark Roeber runs the Mt. Lamborn Ranch, the namesake of the 11,402-foot mountain where he operates. Mark’s great-grandfather, Theodore Roeber, settled the ranch in 1889, making Mark the fourth generation to run the cow/calf operation.,  Mark is a Past President of the National Public Lands Council, Colorado River District Board member, Delta County Representative  for the Gunnison Basin Round Table, Past President Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and a Former Delta County Commissioner.
      •   Mark LeValley; Colorado Cattleman’s Association President – Mark LeValley is a Sixth- Generation Delta County Beef  Rancher, Member of the Gunnison Basin Round Table, Former Member of the Colorado State Board of Stock Inspection .

Event Details:

When: Tuesday, November 17 & Wednesday, November 18, 2026 Where: Heritage Hall – Delta County Fairgrounds, 403 S. 4th Street, Hotchkiss, CO 81419 Cost: FREE & Open to the Public

Presented By: Delta County with support from and special thanks to: The  Colorado Department of Agriculture, State of Colorado, The Western Slope Community Foundation and the North Fork High School ” Soul Miners”, The Delta Historical Society, The Crawford- Hotchkiss Historical Society, Delta County 4-H and Delta & Black Mesa Cattle Women’s.

Exhibits & Artist Bios: 

Created by Thomas “Detour” Evans, the mural unfolds as a visual narrative from left to right, designed to spark imagination and highlight the interconnected systems that sustain agriculture across the state. The narrative is fueled by the snowmelt of the Colorado Rocky Mountains—an essential source of life that feeds
the fields, rangelands, and livestock.

The artist began by exploring the past through the Ute and Plains Indigenous communities, who settled along river corridors and relied on water to grow corn, wheat, beans, squash, and other crops to feed their families. As irrigation expanded, regions like the San Luis Valley began to flourish, attracting communities to work the land. New agricultural techniques emerged, including
center-pivot irrigation—created by Frank Zybach near Strasburg—which is referenced through the circular cutouts in the upper right portion of the mural.

The oral history of Colorado farmer John Stulp’s family helped visualize the importance of livestock, hard work, and tradition, further rounding out the story. The generational bond families share with the land and agricultural culture was essential to highlight, alongside the push to inspire the next generation who will feed society. Showcasing youth tending the young crops and the healthy harvest of potatoes, sunflowers, pears, pumpkins and peppers showcase the fruits of hard labor and love.

As past, present, and future are showcased, the artist’s use of colors sparks a sense of imagination and excitement throughout each scene. From tractors and commodities to rivers and creeks, the mural invites viewers to experience agriculture through a bold, bright, and colorful lens.

Creating this mural was an opportunity for the artist to not only to reflect on 150 years of agricultural history, but also to inspire curiosity and pride in what comes
next. If the work encourages even one young viewer to envision themselves as a future farmer, rancher, or steward of the land, then it has fulfilled its purpose.

Excerpt Courtesy of Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Meet the Colorado 150 Artists & Explore Their Work

Delta County Artist:

•  Kris Stewart: A resident of Crawford for the past 32-years, Kris Stewart is an amateur landscape photographer who enjoys capturing the beauty of Western Colorado landscapes and using graphic design to help local organizations. Kris worked with the North Fork Ambulance as the graphic coordinator for 10-years while serving as an EMT. During that time, he designed membership and outreach materials and used photography to highlight the importance of emergency medical services to the North Fork Valley through the website and other handouts. As a self-taught photographer, Kris enjoys learning from professional photographers’ portfolios and perfecting his skills photographing the amazing Western Colorado landscape.  For the past 15-years, Kris has worked for Delta County and many of his photographs are featured across Delta County’s buildings and in outreach materials for the Sheriff’s Office and County. His photography has also won several contests and received honorable mentions, including two Honorable mentions in 2025 and a first-place win in 2024 in the annual Colorado Department of Agriculture Best in Show contest.
• Jamie Roeber: Jamie Roeber channels her Western roots into striking art, transforming natural materials into captivating creations. With degrees from Fort Lewis College and MFA from Regis. As the High School art Teacher, Mrs. Roeber inspires her students to experiment boldly and push boundaries. She believes art unlocks lifelong skills, shaping both personal and professional growth. Jamie gives new life to recycled and upcycled materials, turning chicken wire into sculptures and old cowboy clothes into artful memories. Each skull she designs tells a story, blending vibrant colors and stone inlays inspired by her own journey. Her work captures the spirit of the West—bold, imaginative, and unforgettable
• North Fork  High School Arts Students- ” Soul Miners” ( TSA Chapter) : Student art projects will be prominently displayed as centerpieces for the event’s dinner, showcasing the incredible artistic abilities of our youth to the broader community. Please note that these will be for purchase. (Ceramic and fused Glass Pieces).  Select your favorite and pay $40 at the door. All proceeds go to North Fork  High School Art Dept.
  
• Linda ” Pete” Cunningham & Jerry Cunningham:  Jerry and Linda “ Pete” Cunningham, along with their son, Ted, own and operate Cunningham cattle Company, a fourth-generation cattle ranch in Delta county. For nearly ten years, Pete has been creating hand crafted baskets from repurposed lariats, while Jerry specializes in custom made bridle and hackamores. Their work can be found on facebook at Cunnigham Trading Company.
• Hunt Family Fair Quilt: Ashley Farley and Bill Hunt
• Ira Houseweart
• Tori Vannest- Tor’s Decor:We are a small-town business out to provide quality and low-cost western home decor and accessories. Most of our products are “recycled, refurbished and re-used“.   torsdecor.square.site
• Cattlewomen’s Brand Quilt: Chandra Carr

Agriculture and Historic  Organizations with informational booths: 

• Delta Cattlewomen

Our mission is to promote understanding and advancement of the livestock industry by engaging in activities of all types including, but not limited to public relation programs, and education
programs which will promote such understanding and advancement. Delta Cattlewomen have been a Beef advocacy group since 1951.Our passion is bridging the rural and urban divide to bring Delta County’s agricultural and Beef producing families together with consumers.

Download the Delta Cattlewomen Brochure: DCW info brochure

• Black Mesa Cattlewomen

Black Mesa Cattlewomen’s, a non-profit 501 (C) 3 organization, mission is to support and promote beef. Black Mesa Cattle Women are based out of Crawford and the North Fork Valley region. We are a group of local women sharing a passion for the beef and agricultural industries with daily promotion throughout the community while sustaining a way of life since 1951.

Download the Black Mesa Cattlewomen Brochure: BMCW Printable Brochure

• Hotchkiss Crawford Historical Society
• Delta Museum
• VOGA -Valley Organic Growers Association VOGA is a  non-profit membership organization located in the North Fork Valley. Our members live on the Western Slope of Colorado. The Mission of Valley Organic Growers Association is to promote local sustainable agriculture by supporting and educating producers and consumers.
• Delta County 4-H
• Delta County Bred & Fed, Inc. 

Click FINAL Ag Mural Event Flier to download the flier.

America 250 | Colorado 150 Historic Proclamation Reading- Board of County Commissioners

Be a part of history in the making! The Delta County Commissioners warmly invite all community members, families, and local patriots to gather at the courthouse steps for a truly Historic Reading. This special civic ceremony marks a monumental dual milestone: celebrating the 250th semi-quincentennial anniversary of the United States of America alongside the 150th sesquicentennial anniversary of the State of Colorado.

During this patriotic morning assembly, the Delta County Commissioners will take the stage to perform a ceremonial reading of an official commemorative proclamation. In addition to the proclamation, the ceremony will feature a powerful live reading of Abraham Lincoln’s timeless Gettysburg Address, honoring the enduring spirit of American liberty, unity, and heritage.

This outdoor civic gathering is an incredible opportunity to reflect on our shared history, celebrate our community’s place in the Colorado story, and kick off the July festivities with pride. The event is completely free and openly welcomes everyone. Come stand with your neighbors, wave the flag, and mark this incredible milestone in our nation and state’s journey!

Event Highlights

• Official Proclamation Reading: Hear the Delta County Commissioners deliver a special resolution dedicated to America 250 and Colorado 150.

• The Gettysburg Address: Experience a moving live recital of one of the most significant speeches in American history.

• Community Connection: Gather with local leaders, neighbors, and fellow history buffs for a memorable morning of civic pride.

Event Details

• When: Wednesday, July 1, 2026

• Time: 8:30 AM

• Where: Delta County Courthouse, 501 Palmer St, Delta, CO 81416

• Admission: Free and open to the public!