Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostThe Little Book Cliffs above the Colorado River in northwestern Colorado, seen here on Aug. 18, 2016, is publicly owned land that's managed by the U.S. government. Bureau of Land Management data shows it is one place where companies obtained oil and gas drilling rights without going through a competitive bidding process.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostJerry Galemore hand picks a basket of sweet Red Globe peaches at Papa Brown's Orchards on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFarmer Tricia Sproles smells sweet Red Globe peaches as she picks them to box up and ship to market at Papa Brown's Orchards on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado. Palisade is enjoying the biggest bumper crop of peaches in about 40 years.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFarmer Tricia Sproles walks through her orchards as she picks sweet Red Globe peaches to box up and ship to market at Papa Brown's Orchards on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado. Palisade is enjoying the biggest bumper crop of peaches in about 40 years.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFarmer Tricia Sproles gently places sweet Red Globe peaches she picked to box up and ship to market at Papa Brown's Orchards on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado. Palisade is enjoying the biggest bumper crop of peaches in about 40 years.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostThe view of Mount Garfield and the Little Bookcliffs range is spectacular from on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado. Palisade is enjoying the biggest bumper crop of peaches in about 40 years. As well the valley has dozens of local vineyards and wineries, sweet cherries, apples, plums, apricots and corn in abundance.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFarmer Chris Brown, looks over freshly picked Olathe sweet corn on August 18, 2016 in Olathe, Colorado. He and his girlfriend Tricia Sproles run a farm in Palisade called Papa Brown's Orchards. The two pay the farmer who grows the corn to pick what they can put in the bed of her truck then resell it to smaller markets, farmer's markets and produce stands all around Colorado going as far away as Wellington.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFarmer Tricia Sproles picks sweet corn on Aug. 18, 2016 in Olathe. Sproles, who runs a farm in Palisade called Papa Brown's Orchards with her boyfriend Chris Brown, pays the farmer who grows the corn to pick what she can put in the bed of her truck then resells it to smaller markets, farmer's markets and produce stands all around Colorado going as far away as Wellington. Many of the nation's farmers are hurting this year as a result of extreme weather and a roller-coaster market. An unusual budget provision passed earlier this month by Congress means no one who qualifies for a government farm loan will be denied in the next four months.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostTourist Pam Watts, with her chihuahua Monkey on her lap, enjoys taking in the sights and smells of Anita's Pantry and Produce market on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado. The roadside produce stand carries all kinds of local fruits, vegetables, honeys, jams, jellies etc. Palisade is enjoying the biggest bumper crop of peaches in about 40 years. As well the valley has sweet cherries, apples, plums, apricots and corn in abundance.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostReuben Leon, owner of Leon Farms, hand picks peppers with his field hands at the age of 76 at Leon Farms on August 18, 2016 in Delta, Colorado. Leon Farms has been in business since 1976, and has 45 acres of corn, tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables available to purchase.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFreshly harvested peppers in a box hand picked by Reuben Leon, owner of Leon Farms, who at the age of 76 still works in the fields with his employees on August 18, 2016 in Delta, Colorado. Leon Farms has been in business since 1976, and has 45 acres of corn, tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables available to purchase.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostReuben Leon, owner of Leon Farms, right, hand picks peppers with his field hands at the age of 76 at Leon Farms on August 18, 2016 in Delta, Colorado. Leon Farms has been in business since 1976, and has 45 acres of corn, tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables available to purchase.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostPeppers ripen on the vine at Leon Farms on August 18, 2016 in Delta, Colorado. Leon Farms has been in business since 1976, and has 45 acres of corn, tomatoes, and peppers and other vegetables available to purchase.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostApples ripen on trees on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFree range chickens run in the grass amidst fruit trees at Sage Creations Organic Farm on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado. The lovely farm, which specializes in all types of lavender, offers hand crafted lavender products for bath and body, culinary and home decor, seasonal agri-tours of the farm for tourists as well as pick your own lavender in season. The farm also has colorado grown sweet cherries, heirloom tomatoes and plant starts for sale.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostApples ripen on trees on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFlowers and lavender grown abundantly on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado. Palisade is enjoying the biggest bumper crop of peaches in about 40 years. As well the valley has dozens of local vineyards and wineries, sweet cherries, apples, plums, apricots and corn in abundance.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDried lavender is on display and for sale at Sage Creations Organic Farm on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado. The lovely farm, which specializes in all types of lavender, offers hand crafted lavender products for bath and body, culinary and home decor, seasonal agri-tours of the farm for tourists as well as pick your own lavender in season. The farm also has colorado grown sweet cherries, heirloom tomatoes and plant starts for sale.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostSigns tempt drivers along Front street to buy local produce on August 18, 2016 in Palisade, Colorado. Palisade is enjoying the biggest bumper crop of peaches in about 40 years. As well the valley has sweet cherries, apples, plums, apricots and corn in abundance.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostShelves are abundant with apples, other fruit and vegetables inside Anita's Pantry and Produce market on Aug. 18, 2016 in Palisade. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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The Little Book Cliffs above the Colorado River in northwestern Colorado, seen here on Aug. 18, 2016, is publicly owned land that's managed by the U.S. government. Bureau of Land Management data shows it is one place where companies obtained oil and gas drilling rights without going through a competitive bidding process.
ExpandBy Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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Palisade, Colorado is enjoying the biggest bumper crop of peaches in about 40 years. The valley also has dozens of local vineyards and wineries, sweet cherries, apples, plums, apricots and corn in abundance.


















