Early Beginnings
In the early 1880s, settlers arrived in the valley and began cultivating the land, establishing orchards and farms that would define the region. The arrival of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad in 1882 connected local producers to larger markets, fueling rapid agricultural growth.
By the early 1900s, farming—especially potato production—had become a cornerstone of the local economy. Cooperative organizations began forming to help growers market their crops and share resources.








