Calling All Cortez Creatives!

February 25, 2025

Calling all Cortez creatives! The LOR Foundation and City of Cortez Public Arts Advisory Committee will offer innovators and artists a unique funding opportunity. Learn how you can participate in water management conversations and solutions during the Southwestern Water Conservation District’s 41st Annual Seminar. The Mancos Opera House will host a screening of a new documentary on libraries. Watch for details! By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motor Company.

Learn More...

LOR Foundation - https://lorfoundation.org/communities/cortez/

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

Southwestern Water Conservation District - https://www.swwcd.org/

Sky Ute Casino Resort - https://www.skyutecasino.com/

Serendipity Films, LLC - https://www.serendipityfilms.org/

Free for All: The Public Library Film - https://www.freeforallfilms.org/

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

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

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

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

Read the Full Transcript

The City of Cortez seeks artists and innovators to apply for a creative grant. Learn how you can participate in water management conversations and solutions during the Southwestern Water Conservation District's Annual Water Seminar. And the Mancos Opera House will host an early screening of a new documentary about the history of free libraries. You're watching the Local NEWS Roundup, brought to you by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motor Company. I'm Connor Shreve. Calling All Cortez creatives, the LOR Foundation and City of Cortez Public Arts Advisory Committee will award individuals, businesses, and nonprofits up to $4,000 for creative projects around Cortez through the 81321 grant program. The project must be available to the public, engage the community, and bring something new, innovative, unique, or creative to Cortez. Projects funded last year include a fairy home kit and painting of a K-Line Rail by local students. Applications are open on the City of Cortez website and will be reviewed in April, July, and October. Dive into the topic of Water Resources and Management on Friday, March 28th, during the Southwestern Water Conservation District's 41st Annual Seminar. This year's topic is "Water Reimagined: Strategies for a Changing World." The Southwestern Water Conservation District includes nine counties in Southwest Colorado and advocates for water management and resources at the local, state, and regional level. The seminar will cover issues in water and drought management, the role of artificial intelligence, women's influence in water leadership, and key water conservation projects. The seminar will be held at the Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio. You can register today on the Southwestern Water Conservation District website. The Mancos Opera House will host a screening of the new documentary "Free For All: The Public Library" at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 6th. The Mancos Public Library is co-sponsor of the free event. The film shares the history and importance of free libraries and highlights women's role in the free library movement. The screening will be followed by a community discussion. You can learn more about these and other stories online at montezumalocal.news. 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.