Back in April, a cold spell hit Western Colorado, with temperatures dropping below 28 degrees in the North Fork and Grand Valleys west of the Roaring Fork region. After above-average temperatures in February and March, including multiple warm spells, crops in the area were ahead of growing schedule. Farmers sprang into action; some fared well, but others were less lucky.
By early May, Denver Westword described the hard freeze as “the most devastating loss since 2020,” particularly in the North Fork Valley. The winter warm spells led trees to bud earlier, and fruit was at a later and more vulnerable stage of development. Operations including Ela Family Farms of Hotchkiss and Topp Fruits of Paonia and Hotchkiss described the results as a total loss.
Western Slope farmers are familiar with late freezes, and have tactics for combatting the weather. Crop mitigation can include applying a calcium-based spray to make buds and fruitlets more cold-resistant, as well as using propane heaters, burn piles and wind machines to warm the air in orchards and fields. For some operations, particularly in the Palisade area, that was enough. In Cedaredge, Hotchkiss and Paonia, it was not.
North Fork Valley crop devastation was widespread. Ten percent of Colorado’s peach crop is grown in the area, and by early May, the Colorado Sun reported that the peach crop in that valley was “totally wiped out.” In a follow-up article in July, the Front Range newspaper highlighted family-run First Fruits, where the Kropp family grows fruit across over 140 acres in the Paonia area. The Kropp family reported that “not a single cherry, plum, peach, nectarine, pear, apricot or apple will be harvested this year.”
Farms in the Grand Valley, around Palisade, had a luckier outcome. Back in 2020, the region experienced a total loss from a hard freeze. This year, despite rumors of more devastation, the community avoided the crop losses of their southern neighbors. An estimated 80 to 90% of Palisade’s peach crops survived the freeze through the mitigation actions of area farmers.
Palisade Chamber of Commerce president Jessica Burford shared her excitement with The Sopris Sun. “Palisade is experiencing an exceptional peach harvest, with growers reporting an early, healthy and abundant crop,” she said. Burford attributed some of Palisade’s crop resilience to the geography and wind patterns the community experiences. “Palisade benefits from natural katabatic winds — cool air that continually drains downhill during cold nights, reducing the likelihood of damaging frost settling over the orchards,” she said. “Combined with the tireless efforts of local growers, who worked through freezing nights operating wind machines and smudge pots to protect their trees, the community emerged with an outstanding crop.”
Other concerns facing Western Slope growers this spring and summer have included extreme drought conditions and wildfire smoke. Palisade’s location close to the Colorado River has helped alleviate impacts from those threats as well.
“Local businesses, orchards, wineries, restaurants and attractions remain open and ready to share one of Colorado’s most iconic harvest seasons,” Burford said, adding, “Our growers never stop working to protect this incredible agricultural legacy. While we’re certainly mindful of Colorado’s drought conditions and continue encouraging responsible water stewardship, we’re incredibly grateful that Palisade’s orchards have produced a beautiful harvest. We want visitors to know that Palisade is open, thriving and ready to welcome them.”
Burford noted that overnight visitors to Palisade have decreased slightly this year. “Palisade has seen a slight dip while Grand Junction is trending up,” she said. “We feel people are staying more centrally in Grand Junction while still visiting our orchards and vineyards, especially those who have adapted over the years to create experiences such as concert series, game nights, yoga and art sessions, ‘bubbles and brunch’ [and] pairing dinners.”
Palisade Town Manager Janet Hawkinson praised farmers and first responders alike for their response to the environmental stressors this year. “Palisade has always been defined by its resilience, its agricultural heritage, and the people who work tirelessly to preserve both,” Hawkinson said. “We want to thank the hard work of our firefighters this season. We have fires in the regional area, but the town is thriving in this year’s harvest.”
The late freeze affected more than fruit. Due to impacts on Olathe corn crops, the Tuxedo Corn Company has not supplied to any grocery stores this year. The producer does have yield, but given available products has elected to sell directly to consumers via a truck tour. Colorado sales locations are on the Front Range, but visitors to Olathe can schedule pick-up directly from the Olathe Corn Shed for $22 per box.
Western Slope communities plan to celebrate annual harvest festivals regardless of how their crops fared this spring and summer. Palisade’s Peach Week will take place Aug. 13-22, capped off with the Peach Festival on Aug. 21 and 22 at Riverbend Park. The Olathe Sweet Corn Festival will be held on Aug. 22 in Montrose. Despite crop losses, the Mountain Harvest Festival for the Hotchkiss and Paonia communities is still scheduled for late September. Organizers are lining up live music and other cultural opportunities for the event. Popular Hotchkiss cidery Big B’s has scheduled its annual CiderFest for Oct. 9 to 11.