The first county officers were: Commissioners, Samuel Wade, chairman, Enos Hotchkiss, A. E. Kirkbride; clerk and recorder, E. L. Kellogg; sheriff, Charles L. Andrews; treasurer, T. H. McGranahan; county judge, W. A. McDougal; surveyor, Wm. L. Marcy; assessor, Daniel J. McCormick; superintendent of schools, George H. Merchant; coroner, W. O. Stephens. The officers of the county for 1890-91 were: Commissioners, Robert B. Hamilton, Henry Teachout and N. M. Heistand; sheriff, W. S. Girardet; clerk and recorder, Adam Wishart; treasurer, Amos R. Howard; county judge, G. W. Henry; surveyor, J. A. Curtis; assessor, F. R. Burritt; superintendent of schools, P. M. Condit; coroner, Dr. H. K. Brasted; clerk of the district court, Arthur H. Brown.

The city of Delta is the headquarters for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The Ute trail follows one of the main routes used by Utes for centuries before settlers arrived in the area, starting at the south rim of the Gunnison Gorge and winding down to the Gunnison River.

Paonia, which is Spanish for "peony", was founded in 1882, and named for the abundance of flowers in the area. The main industries are mining and agriculture. Paonia is known for producing wonderful peaches, apples, and other fruits.