Montezuma Local News

Two spring-themed events are happening this Saturday, April 27th: a Spring Craft Bazaar at the Dolores Community Center and Flower Fest, a fundraiser for Mancos Valley Dragonfly School, at the Mancos Opera House. Winners of the Historic Cortez Coloring Book have been announced. To see all the coloring book submissions, visit the Cortez Cultural Center May 2nd through the 4th to view the artist showcase with a special reception for the artists on Friday, May 3rd. Books will be available to purchase or download in May. Colorado News Collaborative is doing a Voter Voices 2024 survey to ask voters what they want their candidates to talk about as they compete for their votes. By Rachel Hughes. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/winners-announced-for-cortez-coloring-book-contest This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Blondie’s Trophy Room.

Anita Burleson, who runs LB Productions, is now teaching improv, dance, and musical theater classes for youth in Montezuma County. She also offers voice lessons for children and adults. Upcoming offerings include summer programming for youth and additional after-school classes. Learn more and join a program at ​​www.lbpstudioproductions.com. By Ilana Newman. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/performing-arts-for-youth-and-adults-in-montezuma-county  This story is sponsored by Blondies Trophy Room and LOR Foundation. 

The Dolores Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Dolores will be awarding several scholarships to select Dolores High School seniors. The City of Cortez has released its unofficial municipal election results. Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce has opened grant applications for member organization events, projects, and programs that promote Mancos Valley tourism. Governor Polis and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade announced Cortez as a recipient of $179 thousand in grant funding through the Community Business Preservation Program. By Rachel Hughes.Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/cortez-awarded-179k-in-grants-from-colorado-oedit  This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto and The Lor Foundation. 

Every year the non-profit Shield 616 raises money to equip officers with safer protective vests. In 2024, the non-profit is working with the Cortez Police Department to purchase 31 “Angel Armor” rifle-rated vests. Two Cortez officers, Jason Giacchino and Tyler Smith, will ride the Tour de Shield to honor fallen officers and raise money for the vests. By Connor Shreve.  Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/colorado-non-profit-shines-spotlight-on-cortez-pd  This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Choice Building Supply.  

The Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, in partnership with the Colorado Workforce Center and Cortez, is hosting a spring job fair on Friday, April 19th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Montezuma County Annex Building. On Thursday, April 18th, Duncan Rose will be giving a presentation at the Dolores Public Library titled about the changes, challenges, and tools emerging for the Upper Dolores River. The Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project is conducting a grafting workshop on Saturday, April 13th from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Orchard Hub. Pueblo Community College has announced Dr. Chato Hazelbaker new president. By Rachel Hughes.Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/spring-job-fair-happening-in-cortez-on-april-19This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Big O Tires

Medicine Horse is an equine assisted therapy center in Mancos, Colorado that uses the connection between horses and humans to work on mental health. Medicine Horse offers programs that support school children, individual therapy, professional development, life coaching, veteran support, summer programs, and more. Learn more and join a program at medicinehorsecenter.org. By Ilana Newman.   Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/medicine-horse-uses-equine-assisted-therapy-to-help-mental-health  This story is sponsored by Keesee Motors and Choice Building Supply. 

The Cortez Public Library is holding an author talk featuring fiction writer and poet Stacie Denetsosie on Wednesday, April 10th at 5 p.m. In 2023, she published her debut short story collection called “The Missing Morningstar and Other Stories,” which was named 2024 Southwest Book of the Year. El Pomar Foundation has opened applications for its 2024 senior leadership experience program, taking place September 24th through the 27th. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has launched a Colorado Passport Program to encourage people to visit Colorado’s state parks and 15 fish hatcheries. Free passports and stamps are available at Colorado state parks and hatcheries. The Business Support division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and the Colorado Department of Revenue released a free, self-paced sales tax fundamental course for business owners covering tax responsibilities and how to stay compliant. By Rachel Hughes. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/award-winning-author-to-speak-at-cortez-library  This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and The Lor Foundation. 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife received 3,526 reports of sightings and conflicts with bears in 2023, which is a 21 percent decrease from previous years. That’s largely due to healthy natural forage production last season. It’s still too early to tell how 2024 will shape up. The vast majority of calls involve bears trying to access human food sources, with trash remaining the number one source of conflicts. By Connor Shreve.  Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/be-bear-aware-to-keep-animal-conflicts-trending-down  This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Dunkin’ Donuts. 

Mesa Verde Country has been awarded a grant from the Colorado Tourism Office. The Destination Lab Grant allows Mesa Verde Country to create and publish a free online training program to help ensure that workers are sharing the same information, providing visitors with the best possible experience. As Women’s History Month comes to a close, Mancos Public Library in collaboration with the Cloud Goddess invites you to honor 13 women from the local community on Saturday, March 30th from 3 to 5 p.m. Beginning the first week of April, the Mancos Library is facilitating an online cultural exchange program for teenagers. Colorado’s annual fishing licenses are on sale for the 2024-2025 season with a new regulation in place for Hermosa Creek.  Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for updated fishing regulations regarding other properties and fees. By Rachel Hughes. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/mesa-verde-country-awarded-competitive-grant    This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and The Lor Foundation.

The 8th annual benefit for the Uncompahgre River and 18th Annual F3T Fly Fishing Film Tour recently took place in Ridgway, Colorado, supporting the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership. Attendees enjoyed diverse fly-fishing films while contributing to restoration projects and education initiatives aimed at enhancing the health of the watershed. Policymakers, including State Senator Cleave Simpson, emphasized the importance of protecting water resources amidst legal and environmental challenges. By Sadie Smith.  Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/uncompahgre-river-annual-benefit  This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. 

Applications for the 2024-2025 San Juan Mountain Sisters on Leadership Expeditions program, or “SOLES” program, are open now through April 1st. The program is designed to help high school-aged girls develop wilderness and leadership skills, self-awareness, and healthy lifestyle choices, as well as connect with peers, mentors, and the environment. The Cult Movie Federation of Mancos is hosting its next movie night, featuring the movie Harold and Maude, on Thursday, March 28th at Mancos Opera House. Visit the Cortez Cultural Center Gallery through March 27th to see the Four Corners Weavers’ Guild exhibit titled, “The Lore and Techniques of Handweaving.” The Colorado Department of Revenue is offering a Property Tax, Rent, and Heat (PTC) Rebate to Colorado residents with low income, are older, or have disabilities. Eligible residents must apply before April 15th in order to receive their PTC rebate and TABOR refund. By Rachel Hughes. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/san-juan-soles-program-opens-applications-for-2024-2025  This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and The Lor Foundation. 

The Durango Arts Repertory Theatre presents Hand to God, an irreverent dark comedy written by Robert Askins and directed by Fort Lewis College Theatre Professor Michael McKelvey. Hand to God runs from March 15th through March 31st at the Durango Arts Center. This play carries a parental advisory for its adult language and content and is not suitable for all audiences. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Durango Arts Center box office. By Jessica McCallum. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/durango-arts-center-presents-hand-to-god  This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Dunkin' Donuts. 

The Montezuma Leadership Network is hosting an event on Wednesday, March, 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. covering seven essential management skills at First National Bank in Cortez. The Mancos Valley Farmers Market is now accepting applications for vendors and food trucks and scheduling music for the 2024 season. For more information, visit the Mancos Valley Farmers Market Facebook page. Mancos Public Library is seeking new volunteers and friends. Opportunities include helping with programs, web design, shelving, book processing, fundraising, community outreach, indoor and outdoor upkeep, events, and more. Community members can also support the library through Mancos Friends of the Library. By Rachel Hughes.  Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/mancos-seeks-vendors-and-musicians-in-preparation-for-summer  This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto and The Lor Foundation.  

Mancos Common Press sits at the intersection of art and historical preservation. Over the past decade, the organization has revived the old Mancos Times-Tribune building and supported a thriving artist community around letterpress and printing. Now, they are expanding into affordable housing, with the new Mancos Commons project which will be completed in May. The Mancos Commons includes three one-bedroom apartments and additional studio space for the Press. By Ilana Newman.  Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/mancos-common-press-ventures-into-affordable-housing   This story is sponsored by Keesee Motors and Lor Foundation. 

The Cortez Recreation Center has reduced its hours of operation for the indoor lap pool, leisure pool, and slide due to a lifeguard shortage. Pueblo Community College Southwest is offering free programs in forestry and wildfire mitigation including a one-week program in June and a two-semester program beginning in August. Registration for the two-semester program opens on March 11th with classes limited to 20 students. On Tuesday, March 12th, Danny Pierce will be doing a presentation on time, space, and travel at the Cortez Public Library. Casinos.com recently reported what the most popular card games in Colorado are based on monthly Google trends data with solitaire coming in at number one. By Rachel Hughes. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/dream-of-firefighting-free-forestry-programs-provide-first-step  This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Big O Tires.  

The brainchild of snowboarder Travis Rice, the Natural Selection Tour showcases the world’s top riders from Olympians to big mountain film icons all competing on the world’s most iconic locations. Natural Selection DUELS feature six mountain venues from around the world, where head-to-head competition between two top riders will decide who moves on to the next stages in the Natural Selection Tour. By Connor Shreve.  Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/snowboard-tour-features-durango  This story is sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings.  

The Cortez Public Library is hosting a presentation on Moab Rock Art with Rory Tyler on Thursday, March 7th at 6 p.m. Mancos School of the West’s next winter workshop is happening on Saturday, March 9 at Mancos Public Library. The class will explore layering, colors, and patterns using a Gelli plate, stains, stencils, paper, and more. Visit the School of the West’s website to register. Min-Tea, a new Vietnamese restaurant with milk tea, boba, and food, had its grand opening and ribbon cutting with the City of Cortez mayor on February 20th in Cortez. Several organizations in Montezuma County are seeking employees including the Dolores Public Library, the City of Cortez, and the School Community Youth Collaborative. By Rachel Hughes.  Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/new-restaurant-opens-in-cortez  This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto and Blondie’s Trophy Room. 

Beverage businesses can lose as much as ten percent of revenue during January. But “dry-January” represents a trend that goes beyond one month. Drinking less, or not at all is becoming accepted culturally, and businesses are taking note. Tesstastic Mixers opened in October, with an equal focus on alcoholic and non-alcoholic offerings. By Connor Shreve.  Watch this video at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/mocktail-momentum  This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and Serious Texas BBQ. 

Mancos Creative District’s annual, local music event, Mixed in Mancos, is coming up on Saturday, March 2nd. Mancos Public Library is sponsoring a screening of the film The Right to Read on Thursday, February 29th at the Mancos Opera House followed by a Q&A session. Amy Grogan’s Landscape block print exhibit, called Landscapes from the Heart, will be showing at the Cortez Cultural Center through February 29th. The Dolores Public Library’s monthly exhibit showcases art by Susan Reed through the end of February. The Colorado Department of Revenue announced that it can now process your 2023 income tax returns and shared a few filing reminders. By Rachel Hughes.  Watch this video at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/upcoming-in-mancos-live-music-and-film-screening-events  This story is sponsored by The Lor Foundation and Big O Tires. 

There’s something exciting about seeing a movie or a tv show and recognizing the landmarks. With the opening of a film backlot - a place created to provide a backdrop for a scene - in San Juan County, Four Corners residents may soon be able to see the place we call home featured on-screen. With growing interest in the film industry and tax breaks for New Mexico, San Juan County hopes to draw in both the shows themselves, but also the people who make the movie magic happen. By Hannah Robertson. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/bringing-film-to-san-juan-county  This story is sponsored by The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College and Home2Suites.