Celebrate Spring with Music, Wildflowers, and Spring Cleaning

April 29, 2025

Celebrate springtime with the Mancos Grange. Then join the San Juan Mountain Association for a guided nature walk on Colorado Public Lands Day. It’s time for spring cleaning! City of Cortez’s Spring Clean Up Week is set for mid-May. Find out more! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Blondie's Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.

Learn More...

City of Cortez - https://www.cortezco.gov/‍

San Juan Mountain Association - https://sjma.org/‍

Mancos Grange - https://www.themancosgrange.com/
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Blondie's Trophy Room - https://www.facebook.com/Blondiestrophyroom/‍

Choice Building Supply - https://www.acehardware.com/store-details/06453

Read the Full Transcript

Celebrate springtime with the Mancos Grange. Join the San Juan Mountain Association Nature Walk on Colorado Public Lands Day. And it's time for spring cleaning, the City of Cortez spring cleanup week is scheduled for mid-May. You're watching the "Local News Roundup", brought to you by Blondie's Trophy Room, and Choice Building Supply. I'm Sadie Smith. The Grange Mancos Bloom is set for Sunday May 11th at the Mancos Grange. This spring celebration includes live music, food, and drinks, and an opportunity to see the building's renovation progress. Attendees can also participate in the Maypole Dance, a traditional folk dance to welcome spring. The event will run from one 30 to 4:30 PM, with lunch served until three PM. Reserve your spot online for free at the Mancos Grange website. Join the San Juan Mountain Association from 9 AM to 12 PM on Saturday May 17th for a wild flower walk in Sand Canyon, in celebration of Colorado Public Lands Day. The walk will be slow paced with a focus on identifying local flora. Dogs are not allowed on the trail. The event is free with a $10 suggested donation. For details in registration, visit the San Juan Mountain Association website. Cortez' semi-annual cleanup week is set for Monday, May 19th through Friday, May 23rd. Crews will collect residential bulk trash for disposal or recycling, household trash is not accepted. Cleanup, dumpsters and flatbed services for large projects are available to rent upon request. For the list of accepted items, placements, and limitations, visit the City of Cortez website. Learn more about these and other stories online at montezumalocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the "Local News Roundup". I'm Sadie Smith.

Growing Community, Culture, and Climate-Adapted Crops

Pueblo Seed & Food Co. is a family-run organic farm and seed enterprise rooted in deep stewardship of land, seed, and community. Established in 1996 and now operating on irrigated acreage near Cortez, Colorado, the company grows a wide diversity of certified organic crops—open-pollinated seeds, chile peppers, varietal garlic, vegetables, legumes, and heritage grains—selling them as seeds, fresh produce, and handcrafted foods through their Seed & Bakehouse retail space. Their mission centers on renewing and strengthening community resilience by stewarding healthy seeds and food, guided by regenerative, biodynamic, and conservation farming traditions that honor both plant genetics and human stories. As winter approaches, Farm Direct Seed & Food Co. invites its community to celebrate the Winter Solstice Fundraiser on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at their downtown Cortez Bakehouse. This festive gathering not only marks the seasonal turning point with music, hands-on milling and baking, and holiday shopping, but also serves as a kickoff to their exciting new initiative—the Pueblo Seed & Grain Hub, developed in partnership with the Onward! Foundation to expand regional capacity for drought-tolerant grain and legume production. Join in the spirit of the season with whole grain cookies, community, and support for food and seed security in the Southwest. By Paige Sparks. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and The LOR Foundation.

The Dolores Public Library Hosts Christmas Crafts and Competitions

The Dolores Public Library invites community members to craft, compete, and enjoy holiday festivities. Join LB Productions for a cozy night of holiday cheer at its Christmas choir concert and community sing-along. And the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado opened applications for the Meaningful Opportunity through Learning and Advancement Scholarship. Watch to learn more! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Blondie's Trophy Room.

Festival of Wreaths and Silent Auction Begins Nov. 28

The Festival of Wreaths and online silent auction begins Sunday, Nov. 28. The Cortez Parks and Recreation Department seeks community input in a new semi-annual survey. Watch for details! And Thanksgiving Day is the top reported day for home cooking fires. Learn how you can stay safe this holiday season with tips from the National Fire Protection Association. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motors.

Nearly 5,000 Montezuma Residents Lose SNAP Benefits

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, lost federal funding starting on Saturday, November 1st. Learn how Montezuma County may be affected. Local libraries join forces to host a holiday diaper drive. And HomeToGo named 19 Colorado Ski areas on its top-70 list of best ski resorts for visitor value. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Blondie's Trophy Room and Big O Tires.

Durango Has Work Ahead as International Mountain-Bike Championships Host

In 1990, the Union Cycliste Initernational held the inaugural world mountain bike championships in Durango. In 2030, the world's best mountain bike riders will once again return to Purgatory for the UCI World Championships 40 years after the inaugural event. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts and Crystal Mart.

Cortez Library and Wildfire Adapted Partnership Receive Grants

The LOR Foundation awarded a grant to the Cortez Public Library to support new technology and youth STEM programs. The City of Cortez seeks community comments on the 2026 proposed budget and applicants to fill board vacancies. And the Wildfire Adapted Partnership will receive more than $2 million from the United States Forest Service. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Distil Beer Wine and Spirits and Home2Suites.

An Evening of Costumes and Community Celebration

The zombies are coming! Find out who won business and citizen of the year at the Dolores Chamber of Commerce’s zombie-themed banquet. Registration is open for the Cortez Police Department Fall Citizens Academy. And the Hospice of Montezuma will host two free seminars this month. Watch for details! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by LOR Foundation and Choice Building Supply.

SWCO United Way Expands Mission as “Team Up”

As a fund-raising organization, United Way has a powerful reputation and international name recognition. So why would the United Way of Southwest Colorado sever ties with a philanthropic behemoth to become Team Up? President and Chief Executive Officer Lynn Urban explains, and donors like the change. By Deborah Uroda. This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart Durango and Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation.