Fruita (/ˈfruːtə/) is a home rule municipality located in western Mesa County, Colorado, United States.

Originally home to the Ute people, farmers settled the town after founder William Pabor in 1884.

Today it is well known for its outdoor sports such as mountain biking, hiking, disc golfing and rafting, its proximity to the Colorado National Monument, and its annual festivals, such as Mike the Headless Chicken.

Pabor recognized the great promise of the Grand Valley and penned a 300-page volume, Colorado as an Agricultural State, in which he spoke of the fruit-growing potential of this area.

Fruita also had a Civilian Conservation Corps, several Works Progress Administration projects including the town library (now the Chamber of Commerce), a federal loan for the new central school (now the Civic Center) and the construction of the Rim Rock Drive to the top of the Colorado National Monument, elevation 8,000 feet (2,400 m).

Led there by communications with Dr. S. M. Bradbury of Grand Puns, Riggs had heard that ranchers had been collecting fossils around the area for 20 years.

In 1901, Riggs and crew found nearly two thirds of a Brontosaurus skeleton on the northeast side of Dinosaur Hill, in Fruita.

It was a small animal at less than 10 grams body mass, and had a lifestyle similar to modern-day armadillos but was not related to them, but rather close to the ancestor of all therian mammals.

The region is within the Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway and includes two other nearby dinosaur-related sites: Mygatt-Moore Quarry and Trail Through Time off Interstate 70 exit 2.

The stone cottage building located at 432 East Aspen Avenue was built in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration.

[10] The two-and-a-half-story, Queen Anne Style stone house at 798 North Mesa Street was built in 1908 by builder A.B.

[11] Fruita is located 4,514 feet (1,376 m) above sea level in the high desert climate zone on the Colorado Plateau.

Located at 324 N Coulson Street, this facility serves as a focal point for the community, offering a wide range of amenities and programs for residents and visitors alike.

The Fruita and Palisade Gravel Adventure Field Guide is a free booklet that details the best trails and the history of them, along with maps.

Rafting, kayaking, boating, and canoeing: The Colorado River, located just a short drive away, offers various sections suitable for different skill levels.

Stand-Up Paddle boarding: There are multiple opportunities for paddle boarding, including the James M. Robb State Park, Imondi Wake Zone (which also offers wakeboarding and a water obstacle course), Snooks Bottom Open Space, Highline Lake, and calmer spots in the Colorado River.

The vast public lands, including the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, offer ample acreage for both rifle and archery hunting.

The hunting season typically starts in the fall, and hunters are required to obtain the appropriate licenses and follow state regulations.

The local terrain, including sagebrush flats and piñon-juniper woodlands, provides suitable habitats for these game animals.

The region's diverse waterways and marshy areas provide ideal habitats for waterfowl, and hunters can access public lands or private hunting clubs to pursue this activity.

Additionally, high mountain lakes in nearby areas provide opportunities for pristine alpine trout fishing.

The crystal-clear streams and rivers provide an excellent environment for fly fishing enthusiasts looking to test their skills against wary trout.

The Riverfront Trail system follows the Colorado River through Mesa County through cottonwood groves, wetlands, and marshes.

The project is a collaboration of several cities, Mesa County, and state agencies and overseen by the Colorado Riverfront Commission.

Fruita runners take part in town races such as the July PteRANodon Ptrot, the February Sweet Heart Run, and the annual Rim Rock marathon held in November atop the Colorado National Monument.

Community art can also be seen in the Fruita Civic Center, where photos by locals are hung in the lobby and replaced monthly.

Lloyd Olsen, the remover of Mike's head, continued to give him food and water with an eye dropper.

Fruita is on Route 8 of the Grand Valley Transit, the operating regional bus transportation system.

The State Highway 139 connects 5 miles (8.0 km) west with the northern city of Rangely and Dinosaur National Monument.

The mainline, now used by the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway, runs east–west along the city which serves industrial rail use.