Sunflower Theatre Celebrates 10 Years

April 1, 2025

Third Thursdays return to Montezuma Park this summer. Find out how you can participate! Montezuma-Cortez High School will host a district-wide musical event. Watch for details! The Sunflower Theatre invites you to a two-night celebration. Learn more! Mesa Verde Country invites visitors to a celestial celebration. Find out more! By Rachel Hughes This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motor Company

Learn More...

Cortez Retail Enhancement Association: https://shopcortez.com/

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

First National Bank, Cortez: Website - https://www.fnbcortez.com/

Sunflower Theatre: https://sunflowertheatre.org/

Mesa Verde Country: https://mesaverdecountry.com/

Montezuma-Cortez High School: https://www.cortez.k12.co.us/our-schools/mchs

Montezuma-Cortez School District: https://www.cortez.k12.co.us/

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

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

Read the Full Transcript

Third Thursdays return to Montezuma Park. Montezuma Cortez High School will host a district-wide concert. The Sunflower Theatre invites you to a two-night celebration. Mesa Verda County invites visitors to experience a world class view. You're watching the local News Roundup, brought to you by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motor Company. I'm Connor Shreve. Third Thursdays return to Montezuma Park this summer with vendors, live music, food, giveaways, and community activities. Presented by the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, City of Cortez, and First National Bank, the outdoor market will be held on the third Thursday of each month from June through September. Vendor applications are available on the City of Cortez website, and COREA may cover the vendor fee for Cortez-based businesses. For more info, email Cortez Retail Enhancement Association. Student musicians from across the district will take the stage at Montezuma Cortez's All District Band Night. That's on April 17th. The free event will include a concert and live auction. Doors open at 6:15, and the concert begins at 7:00 pm at Montezuma Cortez High School. Admission is free. The Sunflower Theatre invites the community to celebrate its 10th anniversary with two nights of galas, music, and storytelling. On Friday, April 18th, guests are asked to dress in their favorite homage to sunflowers and listen as local and regional creatives share their talents. On Saturday, April 19th, a formal gala will honor founding theater director Kim Welty and other contributors. Wine and appetizers will be offered, and guests are encouraged to wear formal attire. The gala starts at seven with doors at 6:30. Tickets for each event are sold separately, and are available on the Sunflower Theatre website. Mesa Verde National Park invites visitors to experience its world class night skies, and celebrate the anniversary of its designation as the 100th International Dark Sky Park, Mesa Verde Country created a three-night itinerary, featuring stargazing, ranger talks, astrophotography, sunset views, and other recommendations. Ranger talks will be held three nights a week starting June 16th. For the full itinerary and other travel tips, visit the Mesa Verda Country website. Learn more about these and other stories online at montezumalocal.ews. Thanks for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Connor Shreve.

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.