Prairie Blues Concert Coming to Mancos Opera House

August 22, 2024

The Mancos Opera House is holding a prairie blues concert featuring Michael Hurwitz with opener Shane Queener on Friday, August 23rd. Don’t miss the Cortez Cultural Center’s local exhibit with art by Erny Zah and Benton Yazzi. Sally Dziedzic, owner and general manager of Mesa Verde Motel, won the Frontline Hospitality Tourism Worker Award from the Colorado Governor's Office of Tourism for her contribution to Colorado’s tourism industry. The City of Cortez is encouraging residents and local businesses to register their security and door cameras with Crimewatch. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motor Company.

Learn More...

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

Cortez Cultural Center - https://cortezculturalcenter.org/

Erny Zah - https://www.zahphotography.com/

Benton Yazzi - https://bentonyazzie.com/

Cortez Police Department - https://cortezpd.org/

Mesa Verde Motel - https://mesaverdemotel.com/

Colorado Tourism - https://www.colorado.com/

State of Colorado - https://www.colorado.gov/

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

‍

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

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

Read the Full Transcript

August's end-of-month events include a concert at the Mancos Opera House and a Native American photography and illustration exhibit at the Cortez Cultural Center. One of Mesa Verde Motel's owners won an award for hospitality and tourism. The City of Cortez is seeking to reduce crime through registering security cameras. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motor Company. I'm Connor Shreve. The Mancos Opera House is holding a Prairie Blues Concert featuring Michael Hurwitz on Friday, August 23. Doors open at 6:30, with the opening show starring Shane Queener starting at 7:30. Tickets are $20. Don't miss the Cortez Cultural Center's local exhibit with art by Erny Zah and Benton Yazzi. The exhibit is themed Glimpses of Native America and will feature photographs by Zah and illustrations by Yazzi. Both artists capture the blend and contrast of Native American traditions and modern society. Sally Dziedzic, co-owner and general manager of Mesa Verde Motel in Mancos, won the Frontline Hospitality Tourism Worker Award from the Colorado Governor's Office of Tourism for her contribution to Colorado's tourism industry. Dziedzic will be recognized by the governor in Crested Butte at the State Tourism Conference in September. The City of Cortez is encouraging residents and local businesses to register their security and door cameras with Crime Watch. The Crime Watch website allows the Cortez Police Department to know where cameras are located to aid in investigations. The police department will not have access to the cameras, only their locations. The goal of the initiative is to better deter and investigate crimes, vandalisms, and thefts. A camera registration link can be found on the department's Crime Watch 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 Connor Shreve.

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

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.