Festival of Wreaths and Mancos Valley Annual Awards

November 20, 2024

Tour more than 50 wreaths downtown Cortez during Community Connections’ 5th Annual Festival of Wreaths. The festival will be held Monday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 8. Dolores’ annual Turkey Trot is happening at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. Vitalant is conducting a blood drive for the Dolores community on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. Nominations for Mancos Valley Annual Awards are due on Thursday, Dec. 5 with winners announced at the Mancos Chamber Community Holiday Gathering on Thursday, Dec. 12. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma.

Learn More...

Community Connections - https://www.communityconnectionsco.org/

Festival of Trees and Wreaths - https://e.givesmart.com/events/Eic/

Dolores Turkey Trot - https://www.facebook.com/DoloresTurkeyTrot/

Dolores Family Project - https://www.facebook.com/DoloresFamilyFoodandFitness/

Vitalant - https://donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa

Dolores Community Center - https://dolorescommunitycenter.com/

Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce - https://mancosvalley.com/

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Keesee Motor Company - https://www.keeseemotorcompany.com/

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

Read the Full Transcript

The Festival of Wreaths will light up Cortez, starting on Monday, followed by the Dolores annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. The Dolores Community Center is holding a blood drive and Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for outstanding citizens and businesses. You're watching the "Local News Roundup," brought to you by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma. I'm Connor Shrieve. Tour more than 50 wreaths in downtown Cortez during Community Connections Fifth Annual Festival of Wreaths. The fest will be held Monday, November 25th through Sunday, December 8th. You can also participate in the scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes. The online auction will be live on Friday, December 6th through Sunday, December 8th, where you can bid on wreaths, tree decorations, and presents from Cortez and Durango. Dolores's Annual Turkey Trot is happening at 9:00 AM Thanksgiving Day, Thursday the 28th. The Turkey Trot is a 5K or one mile fun run with optional holiday-inspired costumes. Plan to arrive by 8:30 AM to check in. The race is free, but in lieu of a registration fee, please bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Dolores Family Project. Vitalent is conducting a blood drive for the Dolores Community on Tuesday, November 26th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Dolores Community Center. To make an appointment, visit the Vitalent website. The Mancos Valley Annual Awards are open for nominations. Awards include Person of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Chamber Business of the Year, and Cowboy or Cowgirl of the Year. You can fill out a nomination form online or download a printable form on the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce website. Nominations are due on Thursday, December 5th, and winners will be announced at the Mancos Chamber Community holiday gathering on Thursday, December 12th. 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.

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