Festival of Wreaths and Silent Auction Begins Nov. 28

November 20, 2025

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.

Learn More...

National Fire Protection Association - https://www.nfpa.org/en

Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce - https://www.cortezchamber.com/

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

Our Own Lives - https://www.ourownlives.org/

Festival of Trees & Wreaths - http://www.festivaloftreesandwreaths.com/

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

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

Keesee Motors - https://www.keeseemotorcompany.com/

Read the Full Transcript

Enjoy the dazzling Christmas displays with the Festival of Re's and Online Silent Auction. The Cortez Parks and Recreation Department seeks community input in a new semi-annual survey. 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. You are watching the local News Roundup, brought to you by Hospice of Montezuma and Kei Motor Company. I am Sadie Smith. The Festival of Res returns to Cortez for its sixth year, Friday through Sunday, November 28th through December 7th at the Cortez area Chamber of Commerce on Main Street. The Chamber will showcase more than 40 res for purchase. The Festival of Trees and RES online. Silent auction begins Friday, November 28th and closes on Sunday, December 7th. The auction will include res Christmas, tree decor and holiday gifts. Auction items will be available for preview online Monday, November 24th. Proceeds benefit to local nonprofits, community connections, and our own lives that supply services and advocacy for people with disabilities in Southwest Colorado. Visit the Festival of Trees and RES website for more information. The court does. Parks and Recreation Department seeks community input. The department aims to assess community needs through a semi-annual community input survey initiative to enhance services and community engagement. The department launch surveys for three divisions, the recreation center, the parks department, and aquatics and aims to add events in golf surveys. In the future, survey participants will be entered into a drawing for prizes, including swag, recreation center passes, and a $100 gift card. Surveys are available on the Cortez Parks and Recreation website through Wednesday, December 31st. The National Fire Protection Association reminds you to stay safe and cook with caution this holiday season. The NFPA reported more than 1400 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day in 2023, nearly 400 times higher than the daily average. Thanksgiving Day is the number one day for home cooking fires in the United States, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. The majority of home fires in the US are caused by cooking incidents, particularly unattended cooking. NFPA officials say to remain in the kitchen when the stove top is on and to remain in the house. When cooking a Turkey, NFPA officials do not recommend the use of Turkey fryers and instead, suggest that you purchase a fried Turkey from the store or use a fryer that doesn't require oil. Learn more about these and other stories online at Montezuma Local News. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I am Sadie Smith.

Cortez Farmers Market Transplants to New Location

Montezuma County's Administrative Building parking lot has been the Cortez Farmers Market home for 53 years. But when market officials sought to renew their agreement to use the county venue for the 2025 season, the commissioners balked. That's when the market moved to its new location. By Deborah Uroda. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Lor Foundation.

City of Cortez Announces Winner of Logo Competition

The City of Cortez announced the winners of its 140th anniversary Logo Design Competition. Celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, food, and fun at Parque de Vida. The Mesa Verde Writer’s Conference and Literary Festival brings authors and literary enthusiasts to Mancos. Watch for details! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Blondie's Trophy Room.

Celtic Fair Brings Bagpipes and Highland Games to Cortez

Celtic music and festivities come to Cortez. Learn about Native American culture and art at the Four Corners Indigenous Art Market. The Mancos Opera House will host a Cult Movie Night. Montezuma County leaders warn against text scams. Learn what to watch out for. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Keesee Motor Company.

As Cortez Grows, Where Will Residents Live?

The City of Cortez, like many Colorado communities, faces a housing crisis – too few homes are available for rent or purchase to meet the demands of a growing population and workforce. But the city hopes to make a small dent in the problem with construction of a new workforce and affordable housing development on the old high school site on Seventh Street. By Deborah Uroda. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motors and Choice Building Supply.

Nordfest, UMR, and BurroFest Bring Performances and Family Fun

Live music and libations come to Mancos Brewing Company to raise money for two local nonprofits. The Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo is back for its 95th year. Burrofest returns to unite artists and animals. The City of Cortez seeks community comments on a new transportation plan. Watch for details! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and The Lor Foundation.

Discover Deals across Dolores

It’s yard sale season. Find out when and where the sales are this summer. The International Packraft Film Festival comes to Cortez. The Raven Narratives return for two nights of storytelling about mistakes. The Mancos FoodShare combats child food insecurity by supplying free meals. Watch for details! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Keesee Motor Company.

FLC Appoints New President

The Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Dr. Heather J. Shotton as the college’s next president at its meeting on April 11. Shotton formerly served as the college’s Vice President of Diversity Affairs and the Acting Dean of Student Engagement. She will be FLC’s first-ever indigenous president. By Ryan Simonovich. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and San Juan Regional Medical Center.

Free Family Activities are Back for Summer

Learn how you can get a free art tour in Cortez. What happens to pets when their owners no longer can care for them? Find out how to plan ahead. Cortez Public Library’s summer reading program launches with a party. Native American Dances are back for another season at the Cortez Cultural Center. Find out when! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by The Lor Foundation and Hospice of Montezuma.