New ballots are being sent to Montezuma County voters who live in RE-1 School District Precinct D due to a layout error. Residents are asked to fill out a corrected ballot and return it by Election Day (Tuesday, November 5). The Cortez Police Department invites you to the Shield616 Angel Armor Vest Presentation on Thursday, November 7. The City of Cortez announced Elizabeth Edson as the new director of the Cortez Public Library. Montezuma County’s Office of Emergency Management would like to remind residents to sign up for emergency alerts, especially as winter weather approaches. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Hospice of Montezuma.

Performances of the Sunflower Theatre’s Maniac Lake: a Halloween Play are running on weekends from Friday, October 25th through Sunday, Nov, 3 with tickets available online. The Cortez Fire Protection District is hosting a Halloween trick-or-treat party on Thursday, Oct 31 at the Firehouse from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Zu Gallery is hosting its 15th annual Monster Mash Costume Party on Thursday, Oct 31 starting at 7:00 p.m. Families that would like to receive gift assistance for the holidays can fill out a print or digital application for the Mancos Giving Tree through Friday, Nov 1. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Hospice of Montezuma.

The City of Cortez’s second and final Clean-Up Week of this year is happening Monday, Oct. 21 through Friday, Oct. 25th with an added e-waste recycling event for electronic items on Saturday, Oct. 26. Mancos Public Library and Mancos School of the West are collaborating to host two art workshops: a fall painting workshop on Saturday, Oct. 26 and a gel plate workshop on Saturday, Nov. 9. The Cortez Public Library will be closed Monday, Oct. 21st through Saturday, Oct. 26th in order to replace the HVAC system. If you’ve ever wondered how to verify sources and avoid information scams online, head to Mancos Public Library on Wednesday, Oct. 23 for an educational seminar focussed on safely navigating the digital age. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Big O Tires.

The Mancos Cowboy Half Marathon, 5K, and Fun Run is Saturday, Oct. 19 with proceeds benefiting the Mancos Public Library. The Cancer Resource Alliance is hosting its 13th Annual Pretty in Pink Fashion Show on Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery. The Dolores Public Library is holding a yarn swap on Saturday, Oct. 12. The Art of James M. Williams at the Cortez Public Library is on display through Tuesday, Oct. 15. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Blondie’s Trophy Room.

Fenceline Cider’s Community Pick Program returns after a successful 2023 harvest season, in which it gathered more than forty thousand pounds of apples from the local community. The initiative invites area residents with apple trees to donate their harvests to be used as part of the company's ciders. Fenceline says it helps reduce the amount of local fruit that might go unused after ripening. In exchange for three or more bushels of acceptable apples, Fenceline will offer cider, a bar tab, or cash payment. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma.

The theater community is celebrating Nicholaus Sandner as Colorado’s top drama teacher. Sandner is a Durango local, a Fort Lewis College graduate and a drama teacher at Montezuma Cortez High School. Sandner was recently in Denver to accept his Colorado Theater Teacher of the Year award from the Colorado Thespians organization. Sandner says his students might be as happy as he is for the recognition. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Big-O Tires and Blondie’s Troph room.

The Cortez Cultural Center’s month-long fundraiser and harvest festival, Everybody Eats, begins on Friday, Oct. 4 with exhibits, expos, and events throughout the month. Dolores Public Library’s Friday Fun Day series is getting started with a new topic: “For the Birds.” The Mancos Public Library is screening the film She Rises Up on Friday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. This month’s event will take place on Friday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. Author, ABC News commentator, and child safety activist Elizabeth Smart is coming to speak in Pagosa Springs and Durango on Tuesday, Oct. 8 as part of the Community Foundation’s Making a Difference Speaker Series. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Hospice of Montezuma.

The Dolores Harvest Festival and Car Show is happening Sat., September 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Joe Rowell Park. Grand Autumn Eve will be taking place in Mancos on Sat., September 28. The event celebrates local businesses in Mancos with music, food, and extended shopping hours. The Mt. Lookout Grange 8th Annual Pig Roast is back on Sat, September 28 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Two City of Cortez community grants are still open for application. The deadline to apply for the City of Cortez Community Support Grant is October 18, and the Beautification Grant deadline has been extended to December 9. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Choice Building Supply.

The second annual Rhythm and Roots Harvest Festival is happening at the Mancos Opera House on Friday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 21. Cortez Middle School Garden is hosting an open house on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to share about the Montezuma School to Farm Project. Mancos Public Library is participating in National Library Card Sign-Up Month this September with a raffle for new card holders. A newly-published report from the National Park Service shows that Mesa Verde National Park contributed more than 75 million dollars to the local economy. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Blondie’s Trophy Room

Pueblo Seed & Food Company has started roasting its 2024 chile crop. Owner Dan Hobbs has found an excited chile clientele since moving his company from Pueblo to Cortez in 2021. He’s also found Pueblo chile varieties thrive in Southwest Colorado. Hobbs will roast fresh bushells for customers on Friday and Saturday afternoons through the end of September. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Big-o tires.