Celtic Fair Brings Bagpipes and Highland Games to Cortez

June 17, 2025

Celtic music and festivities come to Cortez. Learn about Native American culture and art at the Four Corners Indigenous Art Market. The Mancos Opera House will host a Cult Movie Night. Montezuma County leaders warn against text scams. Learn what to watch out for. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Keesee Motor Company.

Learn More...

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

‍U.S. Bureau of Land Management: Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum - https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado/canyons-of-the-ancients/visitor-center

‍Cortez Celtic Fair - https://cortezcelticfair.com/

‍Seven Nations - https://www.sevennations.com/

‍Colorado Department of Revenue: Division of Motor Vehicles - https://dmv.colorado.gov/

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

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

Montezuma County Colorado - https://montezumacounty.org/‍

Cortez Police Department: https://cortezpd.org/
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Choice Building Supply - https://www.acehardware.com/store-details/06453‍

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

Read the Full Transcript

Celtic Music and Family Festivities. Return to Cortez. Learn about Native American culture and art at the Four Corners indigenous art market. The Mancuss Opera House will host a cult movie night and Montezuma County leaders warn against text scams. You're watching the local News Roundup, brought to you by Choice Building Supply and Kazi Motor Company. I'm Connor Shrieve. The Cortez Celtic Fair brings Highland Games, Celtic music, and family Friendy activities to park DaVita. Starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 28th. The event is free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase with beer proceeds donated to local charities. The band lineup features local and visiting musicians. The Seven Nations will perform in the morning and afternoon. Blending bagpipes, eclectic guitars and Celtic fusion activities include archery, tug of war, cornhole tournaments, and a contra dance. To learn about the event, visit the Cortez Celtic Fair website. Learn about Native American culture and art at the Four Corners indigenous art market from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Saturday June 28th at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum. The free event features art demonstration, cultural talks, hoop dance performances, music, and indigenous artwork. For more information, visit the Mesa Verde Country website. The cult movie Federation of Manchus will host a cult movie night Thursday, June 26th at the Manchus Opera House. This month's movie is Rock and Roll. High School tickets are $5 at the door or at the Mancuss Public Library before June 26th. Doors at six movie begins at 7:00 PM Concessions and cult movie Federation of Manchus Hats will be available for purchase. Visit the Manchus Opera House Facebook page for details. Montezuma County and the Cortez Police Department warn residents about fraudulent text messages. The text claim to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles and request payment for an outstanding traffic violation. The texts often threaten to suspend your license if the payment is not made. The Colorado DMV states that they will never contact individuals via text asking for payment or personal info. If you receive one of the messages, don't click the links or send personal details. For more tips on identifying scams, visit the Colorado DMV websites fraud page. Learn more about these and other stories online at Montezuma Local News, and remember to sign up for our newsletter to get your news delivered to your inbox. Thanks for watching this edition of the local News Roundup. I'm Connor Shrieve.

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

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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.