Census 2020: Why You Should Respond

The Local NEWS Network offers our condolences to the friends and family of Sgt. Michael Moran, and to the City of Cortez and the Cortez Police Department.

Growing from a small group of ski instructors to a 200-stong volunteer organization, Adaptive Sports Association has expanded over the past 40 years. Founded on the principles that sport and outdoor recreation are tools that can be used to better people’s lives, Adaptive Sports offers programs ranging from skiing lessons in the winter to whitewater rafting and mountain biking in the summer. The programs are made possible with the dedicated efforts of volunteers as well as enthusiastic participants, and with 40 years of programing, Adaptive certainly has a lot to celebrate. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank

Get your holiday shopping done and support local artists and entrepreneurs this season with Cortez’s Young Entrepreneur Showcase, Mancos’ Artist Sunday, and Dolores’ arts and crafts markets. Then, celebrate the season with food, music, and Santa at Mancos Valley’s Olde Fashioned Christmas on Friday, December 1st. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored Big O Tires and The Lor Foundation

Mancos High School finished the season on a five-game winning streak, good enough to earn a number one seed in the Colorado 8-Man football state playoff bracket. That seed paves a path to a deep playoff run, and perhaps a rematch against the only team that beat the Blue Jays this season, Haxtun High School. The Blue Jays wrote a balanced script in 2023, featuring both an explosive offense and suffocating defense all season. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Southwest Health System and Keesee Motor Company

The Dolores Thanksgiving Turkey Trot invites you to burn your thighs before the pies with their annual 5k run at 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 23. On Friday, November 24th, bring your leftovers to the Mancos Public Library for a post-Thanksgiving potluck and board game night. Summer 2023 brought increased tourism and travel for Mesa Verde Country, according to local businesses. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto Outlet and Blondie's Trophy Room

November 8 is National S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. Day, designed to further inspire children to pursue science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Learn what the Dolores Public Library offers regularly to make these subjects fun and available to students. Veterans Day, (Saturday, November 11,) will be celebrated with a parade in Cortez as well as other events for veterans throughout the day. National Apprenticeship Week is November 13th through the 19th. Virtual and in-person events will be held for career seekers, employers, and educators across the country with specific days themed around women, youth, veterans, and more. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Southwest Health System

Daniel Seddiqui, titled the “Most Traveled Person in America” by Rick Steves, finally crossed Southwest Colorado off his list of places to visit. As of this fall, Seddiqui had visited every pinpoint on the U.S. map except for four. As part of his motto to “live the map,” Seddiqui makes it a priority to emerge himself in the culture and community of the places he visits: connecting with locals, working jobs, and participating in various activities. A career counselor by profession, Seddiqui also does public speaking and encourages teens and young adults to be curious and step outside their comfort zones. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings

A new business in Dolores caters to outdoor enthusiasts traveling through Montezuma County. The Dolores Bike Hostel has 23 beds ranging from bunk rooms to private rooms and one private suite. Owner Jacob Carloni hopes his lodge helps travelers access the world class outdoor recreation the Four Corners has to offer. The Dolores Bike Hostel is pledging to work within local artists, organizations and businesses on future collaborations ranging from gallery nights to group events and anything in between. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Blondies Trophy Room and Big-O Tires

Drop off your ballot this week as the voting period for the coordinated elections ends on Tuesday, November 7th. Visit Montezuma County's website for ballot drop box locations and details. The Mancos Public Library will be participating in International Games Month with game nights and activities lined up throughout November. Fenceline Cider invites you to celebrate the season at their Harvest Party on November 5th. Coloradans can now add their driver’s license or state ID to their Google Wallet. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Big O Tires

After spawning kokanee salmon from McPhee Reservoir, Colorado Parks and Wildlife gives away salmon that otherwise would die in the Dolores River. Parks and Wildlife have been doing these giveaways since the 1990s. Two more giveaways are planned for November 2nd and November 9th. Hopeful recipients should line up an hour before the start time, as the salmon runs out quickly. By Ilana Newman. This story is sponsored by the LOR Foundation and Blondies Trophy Room