Paonia, CO
Travel Information
Paonia is located on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, at 5,645 ft. in elevation. Along with Hotchkiss and Crawford, Paonia is one of the small towns that make up the North Fork Valley. The North Fork of the Gunnison River flows through Paonia and the valley. On both sides of the valley are higher mesas offering panoramic views of the West Elk Mountains, Ragged Mountains, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and San Juan Mountains.
SEI's Location & Contact Info
39845 Mathews Ln, Paonia, CO 81428 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Phone: (970) 527-7657
Airports
Grand Junction Regional Airport is a 1.5 hour drive to Paonia. Airlines that fly into Grand Junction include United Express, US Airways, Allegiant Air, American, Delta and Alaska. Shuttle services available from Grand Junction to Paonia - we have a list of local drivers who can pick you up from the airport. Shuttles are generally $100. Please call 970-527-7657 ext. 206 for a list of local drivers. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance when booking your airline tickets.
Montrose Regional Airport is a 1 hour to Paonia. Airlines that fly into Montrose include American, Allegiant Air, Delta and United Express. Shuttle services available from Montrose to Paonia - we have a list of local drivers who can pick you up from the airport. Shuttles are generally $100. Please call 970-527-7657 ext. 206 for a list of local drivers. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance when booking your airline tickets.
Car Rental
SEI receives a number of discounts on rental cars, see below for details on how to obtain your discount(s). All rental cars require a major credit card (not a debit card) at time of rental. International students can rent cars, but must present their driver’s license from their home. A passport will not work, it must be a driver’s license.
AVIS: Receive between 5% and up to 25% off all rental cars. Use the discount code/AWD number: Y378524 when booking to save
Enterprise: Receive 5% off all rentals outside Colorado and special prices within Colorado. Use the account code: L12A513 in the box “Optional: Coupon, Customer, or Corporate number”. Password is SOL
Ride Share
Use the Ride Board to connect with other students who may be arriving at the airport around the same time to share a shuttle. If you are willing to share a ride or need a ride to/from the airport to Paonia, please post on our ride share board.
You can access the ride share board through the Online Alumni & Career Center in 3 easy steps:
1. Visit SolarEnergyTraining.org.
2. Login with your username (your full email address or personalized username that you have created for an online course). Note: the default password created for you is ‘solar’ (or your personalized password that you have created).
3. Click on My Courses on the top menu bar. You will see the Online Alumni and Career Center listed - click that link and you are in! You will see the Student Ride Share Board on the left hand side under Alumni Resources.
Lodging Recommendations
Paonia is a charming, small town nested at the base of Mt. Lamborn, surrounded by farms, orchards, ranches and vineyards. The nearest traffic light is 30-miles away, as is the nearest chain hotel. There aren’t traffic jams (unless you’re caught in a cattle drive) and there are a lot of quaint, local lodging options available, including bed and breakfasts (B&B), farmhouses, motels, and camping options.
We encourage you to visit the Paonia Chamber of Commerce’s lodging list, where you will find a complete list of lodging options, including nearby camping options. Several establishments offer local deals for SEI students. Mention that you are an SEI participant when booking!
The Bross Hotel Bed and Breakfast is an historic hotel in downtown Paonia, built in 1906. In 2023 the Bross is offering a discounted single-occupancy rate of $125/night* for SEI students Sunday through Thursday, excluding our high season which runs June 1 through October 31. (*morning coffee provided; does not include breakfast)
Redwood Arms Motel and RV Park is about half a mile from downtown Paonia. Redwood Arms will offer SEI students 5% off, 2 or more nights, at the motel. Anna Raith, General Manager – 970-527-4148 Ext 131.
Agape Farm and Retreat is a beautiful property favored by SEI staff. Located outside of town, a rental car is advised for students staying here. Agape offers a special SEI student rate of 20% off when booking 5 days or more.
Recreation
Paonia is at the foot of 11,400 ft. Mt. Lamborn and is the gateway to the West Elk Wilderness.
To the northeast is the Grand Mesa, the highest plateau in the world, with over 3,000 lakes. To the south are the deep canyons cut by the rivers coming out of the Rockies, including the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. All of this means the opportunity for recreation: hiking, biking, fishing, horse-back riding, white-water rafting, and hunting. Paonia has some of the best mountain bike trails in the state (....shhhh!). Staff is happy to point in the direction of your adventure.
The North Fork Valley is well-known for its fruit (pears, apricots, cherries, peaches, apples), grass-fed beef, vineyards and wineries, goats and goat cheese, and organic vegetables. Visit Black Bridge Winery and Delicious Orchards to pick your own produce and sample some of the valley's award-winning wines.
The Valley is a designated Creative Arts District by the state of Colorado. Scores of artists, authors, musicians, and craftsmen reside here. You can enjoy their work at our local art centers--the Creamery Arts Center in Hotchkiss or the Blue Sage Center in Paonia. Check out the local radio station, KVNF's, events page for events happening while you are here.