Cortez to Build Homes on Former High School Site

April 22, 2025

Scholarship applications for traditional and technical degrees open in May. Learn how to apply! A new fundraiser will be in Mancos on Thursday, May 1, and the Mancos Valley Lions Club will host its annual fundraiser later in May. The City of Cortez plans to develop the former Montezuma-Cortez High School campus. Find out more! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Blondie's Trophy Room and Hospice of Montezuma.

Learn More...

Mancos Valley Resources - https://mancosvalleyresources.com/‍

Speech, Hearing, and Balance Institute - https://speechhearingandbalance.org/

‍Lawrence Speech & Hearing Services | Mancos - https://lawrencespeechandhearing.com/mancos/‍

Mancos Opera House - https://www.facebook.com/MancosOperaHouse/‍

Four Corners Community Band - https://fourcornerscommunityband.org/

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

One Stan Band - https://www.facebook.com/onestanband/‍

Lions Club - https://www.facebook.com/lionsclubs‍

Mancos Valley Lions Club - https://www.facebook.com/mancoslions/‍

Lions Club: Facebook Event - https://www.facebook.com/events/1747150289173955

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

Hospice of Montezuma - https://hospiceofmontezuma.org/

Read the Full Transcript

Scholarship applications for traditional and technical degrees open in May. The Speech Hearing and Balance Institute will hold a new fundraiser at the Mancos Opera House. The City of Cortez plans to develop the former Montezuma-Cortez High School campus. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by Blondie's Trophy Room and Hospice of Montezuma. I'm Connor Shrieve. Applications for the Joseph Arado/Mancos Valley Resources Continuing Education Scholarship open Thursday, May 1st. To qualify, applicants must be a Mancos High School graduate or a Mancos Valley resident. The application includes a form, essay and letter of recommendation. Scholarship funds will go directly to the educational institution to help pay for tuition fees or materials for a traditional or technical degree. All application materials are due by Sunday, June 15th. For more information, email Mancos Valley Resources. The Speech Hearing and Balance Institute, in partnership with Lawrence Speech and Hearing Services in Mancos will hold its first fundraiser on Thursday, May 1st at the Mancos Opera House. The Institute provides free refurbished hearing aids to people who are deaf or hard of hearing in Colorado, New Orleans, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The event, called "Feeling the Music," includes a $20 dinner at 6 PM and a free concert by the Four Corners Community Band at 7. A sign language interpreter will be present. Visit the Speech Hearing and Balance Institute Facebook page for details. Tickets are available online. The Mancos Valley Lions Club will host its fourth annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser at 5 PM on Saturday, May 10th at the Mancos Opera House. The fundraiser includes dinner, silent and live auctions, and live music by the One Stan Band. The Lions Club serves local communities through vision care, youth programs, disaster relief, and other community projects. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for kids. Visit the Mancos Valley Lions Club Facebook page for details. The City of Cortez will move forward with a proposed development on West Seventh Street to meet growing housing needs. According to a 2023 housing needs assessment, Cortez needs between 75 and 175 new housing units for employees to fill local job openings. An estimated 140 to 240 units will be needed to accommodate projected job growth during the next five years. The city released a request for qualifications for proposals to develop housing on the 14-acre site between South Chestnut and South Oak Streets. That property was the site of the old Montezuma-Cortez High School, which has since been raised. Half the property will become a public park and the other half will be used for affordable and workforce housing. Development proposals are due by Tuesday, May 6th, 2025. Learn more about these and other stories online at montezumalocal.news. Thanks for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Connor Shrieve.

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.