Nearly 5,000 Montezuma Residents Lose SNAP Benefits

November 06, 2025

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.

Learn More...

The Good Samaritan Food Bank (Cortez) - https://www.goodsamscortez.org/

League of Women Voters of Montezuma County - https://www.lwv-montezuma.org/

Montezuma County Colorado - https://montezumacounty.org/

Purgatory Resort - https://www.purgatory.ski/

Telluride Ski Resort - https://tellurideskiresort.com/

Wolf Creek Ski Area - https://wolfcreekski.com/

Colorado Department of Human Services: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - https://cdhs.colorado.gov/snap

HomeToGo - https://www.hometogo.com/

Dolores Public Library - https://www.doloreslibrary.org/

Mancos Public Library - https://mancoslibrary.org/

Cortez Public Library - https://www.cortezco.gov/761/Library

And our sponsors...

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

Big O Tires - https://www.bigotires.com/location/co-cortez-81321/006168

Read the Full Transcript

Thousands of Montezuma residents lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits known as SNAP Benefits due to federal funding cuts, local libraries join forces to host a holiday diaper drive and home to go. Ranked three Southwest Colorado Ski Resorts on its top 70 list for visitor value. You are watching the local news Roundup, brought to you by Blondie's Trophy room in Big O Tires. I'm Sadie Smith, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as Snap Lost Federal Funding starting on Saturday, November 1st, nearly 5,000 Montezuma residents receive SNAP benefits including adults, children, elderly and disabled. Montezuma County shared a resource list of community food banks, food pantries, and organizations that offer free meals for those in need. Local nonprofits that address food insecurity expect increased demand. The Good Samaritan Food Bank seeks additional volunteers and donations. Safeway City Market and Walmart will continue to accept electronic benefits. Transfer cards with available funds. The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will host a presentation on Snap and Health First Colorado at 10:15 AM on Saturday, November 15th with guest speaker Montezuma County Director of Social Services, Kelly Hargraves. The League of Women Voters will announce the event location as soon as it's confirmed. For more information, visit the Montezuma County website. Cortez, Dolores, and Manus Public Libraries will host a holiday diaper drive November 3rd through December 5th. Diapers of all sizes from baby to adult or senior may be dropped off at any of the participating libraries. The libraries will accept, opened and unopened packages. Manus Public Library also will host a holiday toy swap from three to 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 13th and 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Friday, November 14th. Participating adults are asked to bring clean, fully functional toys in excellent condition to trade. The libraries will accept donated gift wrapping supplies for the event. For more information, visit the MCUs, Dolores and Cortez Public Library websites Home to go named 19 Colorado Ski Areas on its top 70 list of ski resorts ranked according to visitor value for the 20 25 20 26 season. The resorts were ranked based on size and the cost of an overnight stay in a lift ticket. Purgatory Resort was ranked as number six, followed by Wolf Creek Ski area number nine and Telluride Ski Resort at 64 Purgatory Opening day will be Saturday, November 22nd. Telluride Ski Resort set a targeted opening for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 27th. Wolf Creek ski area opening date is dependent on weather and will be announced to later season passes for all three ski areas are available on their websites. To read the full 20 25 20 26 ski season report, visit the Home to Go website. Learn more about these and other stories online@montezumalocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Sadie Smith.

Cortez Residents Are Invited to Shape Their Community’s Future

The City of Cortez seeks nominees for city council. Ring in the new year at the Great Four Corners Glitter-Shuffle Groove-a-Thon and End-of-Year Sparkle-Blast DJ Party. And the City of Cortez sales and use tax rate will decrease starting Jan. 1, 2026. Watch to learn more! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma.

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, Pueblo 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.

Nearly 5,000 Montezuma Residents Lose SNAP Benefits

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.