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Expect Traffic Delays on Highway 550

Construction begins on Highway 550. Cortez water restrictions take effect Thursday, May 15. The Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado will host two interactive workshops for nonprofit leaders. Find out more! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Home2Suites and Durango Motor Company.

Vendors Market Marries Music Festival on Third Thursdays

Third Thursdays, held June through September, showcases downtown Cortez businesses, artisans, food vendors, and music to create an evening festival that attracts hundreds. By Deborah Uroda. This story is sponsored by Big-O Tires and Blondie's Trophy Room.

Mancos Faces Construction Disruption This Summer

Construction began in downtown Mancos on May 5. The Dolores Public Library will host an event for gardeners and plant enthusiasts. The Town of Mancos wants to know what residents think about the town's future, and combat local food insecurity this month. Watch for details! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma.

New Sober “Safehouse” Opens in Cortez

Two Cortez residents who know intimately the struggle with and recovery from addiction have opened a new sober-living home to help others take their next step toward recovery. By Deborah Uroda. This story is sponsored by Kesee Motor Company and LOR Foundation.

Celebrate Spring with Music, Wildflowers, and Spring Cleaning

Celebrate springtime with the Mancos Grange. Then join the San Juan Mountain Association for a guided nature walk on Colorado Public Lands Day. It’s time for spring cleaning! City of Cortez’s Spring Clean Up Week is set for mid-May. Find out more! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Blondie's Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.

Expect Traffic Delays on Highway 550

Vendors Market Marries Music Festival on Third Thursdays

Mancos Faces Construction Disruption This Summer

New Sober “Safehouse” Opens in Cortez

Celebrate Spring with Music, Wildflowers, and Spring Cleaning

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Free Leadership Course Kicks Off January 15

The Cortez Chamber of Commerce is offering a free, six-week course on the fundamentals of leadership and management to begin Jan. 15. The Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to share their thoughts and help build a stronger community at the town hall meeting on Monday, Jan. 13. The Mancos Creative District received a Traditional Arts Project Grant from Colorado Creative Industries and seeks four artists to teach an art or craft class. Montezuma County experienced record-breaking involvement in this year’s Community Connections 5th Annual Festival of Wreaths. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Keesee Motors.

Christmas Trees for Conservation

San Juan Mountains Association is holding its Christmas Trees for Conservation fundraiser. Come pick up your Christmas tree and support stewardship and conservation education on Southwest Colorado’s public land. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by FLC Center for Innovation and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

Community Achievements, Improvements, and Opportunities

The City of Cortez is encouraging community members to get involved by applying to be a City of Cortez board member. Southwest Colorado experienced record-breaking donations for 2024’s Colorado Gives Day. The Great Outdoors Colorado board awarded over $700,000 to the Town of Dolores to improve Joe Rowell Park as well as additional funds to Southwest Conservation Corps and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Montezuma-Cortez High School is seeking community feedback on potential science, social studies, and English language arts programming. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma.

Four Corners Writers Launch First Anthology

Four Corners Writers hosted their inaugural kick-off event on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Cortez Public Library to celebrate the upcoming anthology, Four Corners Voices, featuring writers from across the region. Look forward to a collection of regional stories, essays, and poetry, arriving soon at local bookstores. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Hospice of Montezuma.

Ways to Give and Gather in Dolores this Christmas Season

The last day to submit a gift request for the Rotary Club of Dolores’ annual Angel Tree Gift Program is Friday, Dec. 13. All gifts must be delivered to the Dolores Public Library by Wednesday, Dec. 18. Christmas at the Galloping Goose is back on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Dolores Family Project is holding a Christmas food drive at the Dolores Public Library through Saturday, Dec. 2t as well as starting its Backpack Program again this month. With the completion of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s US 550 corridor projects, you can now expect a construction-free drive between Montrose and Ouray. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Blondie’s Trophy Room.

Winter Arts and Crafts

Looking for a good cozy winter activity? Get your copy of the Historic Cortez Coloring Book, featuring artwork from over 20 local artists. The book, released earlier this year, has multiple designs inspired by Southwest Colorado and Montezuma County and is perfect for coloring enthusiasts and beginners alike. The Town of Dolores has put out a call to artists of all ages for a new logo design. With three age categories available, there’s a chance for everyone to show off their design skills. Submit your design by the end of December, and the winning logo will be announced Jan. 31, 2025. The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce invites you to the annual community holiday gathering Thursday, Dec. 12 at Moondog Cafe and Bakery. Celebrate the holidays with the awards ceremony for the Person of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Business of the Year, and Cowboy/Cowgirl of the Year. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Hospice of Montezuma.

Join the Parade! Entry Forms Due by Nov. 30

Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Olde Fashioned Christmas on Friday, Dec. 6 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The City of Cortez is establishing new office hours to give staff an early start to their weekend starting Monday, Dec. 2. The Shield 616 Angel Armor Vest presentation is coming up on Monday, Dec. 2nd. The Four Corners Board of Realtors 34th Annual Parade of Lights is accepting entries for parade participants through Thursday, Nov. 30 at 5:00 p.m. The parade will be held on Main Street in Cortez on Saturday, Dec. 7 starting at 6:00 p.m. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Blondie’s Trophy Room.