The town of Paonia is named for the peony flower. Legend has it that Samuel Wade, who settled the area with William Clark and Enos Hotchkiss, wanted to name the town after one of his favorite flowers, using the greek spelling Paeonia. Whether the name was misspelled intentionally or by accident, when the town was incorporated in 1902, it was given the name Paonia. Peony plants from the original stock are said to be growing today in Paonia Town Park more than 100 years later.

Paonia is a unique community, made vibrant by its artists, activists, agriculturists, foodies, and artisans. Paonia’s several local media sources include KVNF (90.9), a Paonia-based public radio station that broadcasts from Grand Junction to Lake City and beyond, and The High Country News, which is an internationally renowned award winning environmental newspaper published in Paonia.