Community Achievements, Improvements, and Opportunities

December 18, 2024

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.

Learn More...

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

Colorado Gives Foundation - https://www.coloradogives.org/

Great Outdoors Colorado - https://goco.org/

Town of Dolores - https://townofdolores.colorado.gov

Southwest Conservation Corps - https://sccorps.org/

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe - https://www.utemountainutetribe.com/

Montezuma-Cortez High School - https://www.cortez.k12.co.us/our-schools/mchs

Montezuma-Cortez School District - https://www.cortez.k12.co.us/

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

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

Read the Full Transcript

The City of Cortez is seeking applicants to fill board vacancies. Southwest Colorado nonprofits experienced record-breaking giving. Great Outdoors Colorado has awarded a grant to the Town of Dolores, Southwest Conservation Corps, and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Montezuma-Cortez High School seeks input on curriculum updates. You're watching the "Local News Roundup," brought to you by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma. I'm Connor Shreve. The City of Cortez is encouraging community members to get involved by applying to be a City of Cortez board member. Open positions include the Historic Preservation Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Parks, Recreation & Forestry Board, the Board of Adjustment and Appeals, and the Library Advisory Board. As a board member, you can be part of advising the Cortez City Council on key issues. To apply, fill out the application form found on the City of Cortez website, and send in a letter of interest. Southwest Colorado experienced record-breaking donations for 2024's Colorado Gives Day. The Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado, a philanthropic facilitator organization that encourages participation in Colorado Gives Day, had set a goal of raising $750,000. Instead, nearly $900,000 was raised, supporting over 150 local Southwest nonprofits, showing a 26% increase compared to last year. While Colorado Gives Day is one Tuesday in December, you can use the website and Colorado Gives platform to support local nonprofits year round. Joe Rowell Park is getting an upgrade. The Great Outdoors Colorado board of directors awarded over $700,000 to the Town of Dolores to improve the park. The grant also included additional funds for Southwest Conservation Corps to expand its indigenous youth crew program, as well as for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to restore a trail at Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park. Montezuma-Cortez High School is seeking community feedback on potential science, social studies, and English language arts programming. Several meetings are scheduled through the end of January to discuss possible programming. The meetings will be held at the Montezuma-Cortez School District Administration building in the boardroom. Our weekly roundups will return January 8th. The team at Local News Network wishes you and yours a happy, safe, and warm holiday season. Thank you for watching this edition of the "Local News Roundup." I'm Connor Shreve.

Release Party: Mixed at Mancos Album Available this Month!

Join the League of Women Voters of Montezuma County and Denis Boon at the Cortez Public Library on Saturday, Jan. 18 for the presentation of their informative travelogue. Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Montezuma Leadership Network is partnering with the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce to hold a lunch and learn about creating accountability within organizations. The Sunflower Theatre is screening the documentary Every Little Thing on Friday, Jan. 24 at 7:00 p.m. The Mancos Creative District is hosting a release party for the Mixed in Mancos 2024 album party on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Mancos Brewing Company. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Blondie's Trophy Room.

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.

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.

Local Food & Farms Investment

The Good Food Collective helped 16 local food producers earn business-improving grants from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Local retailers are using the funds for infrastructure improvements to help provide fresh food to underserved areas. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.

Festival of Wreaths and Mancos Valley Annual Awards

Tour more than 50 wreaths downtown Cortez during Community Connections’ 5th Annual Festival of Wreaths. The festival will be held Monday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 8. Dolores’ annual Turkey Trot is happening at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. Vitalant is conducting a blood drive for the Dolores community on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. Nominations for Mancos Valley Annual Awards are due on Thursday, Dec. 5 with winners announced at the Mancos Chamber Community Holiday Gathering on Thursday, Dec. 12. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma.