Competitions and Celebrations Coming to Montezuma County

July 24, 2024

The Montezuma County Fair is happening Saturday, July 27th, through Saturday, August 3rd. The 26th Annual Boggy Draw Beat Down Bike Race is Saturday, August 3rd, with courses of various lengths and a new category for adults over 65 years old. Mancos Public Library is celebrating the end of its summer reading program with a bubble and foam party on Wednesday, July 31st. A GoFundMe page has been created to help the Hurst family with funeral expenses after a fatal car crash killed three family members on Sunday, July 14th. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Hospice of Montezuma.

Learn More...

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

Montezuma County Fair - https://www.facebook.com/montezumacountyfair

Boggy Draw Beat Down - https://www.boggydrawbeatdown.com/

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

GoFundMe for the Hurst Family - https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-hurst-family-after-tragic-wreck

‍

Choice Building Supply - https://www.acehardware.com/store-details/06453

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

Read the Full Transcript

The Montezuma County Fair starts on July 27th through the subsequent week, followed by the Boggy Draw Beat Down Bike Race in Dolores. The Mancos Public Library is celebrating the end of its summer reading program on July 31st. A GoFundMe page has been started to support a local family after a tragic car accident. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by Choice Building Supply and Hospice of Montezuma. I'm Connor Shrieve. The Montezuma County Fair is happening Saturday, July 27th through Saturday, August 3rd. This Saturday's events begin with a rocket launch at 7:00 AM, followed by shooting sports, and a concert at 7:00 PM. Other events include goat roping competitions, calf branding, rodeo, archery, stock shows, and more. Visit Montezuma County's website or the Montezuma County Fair Facebook page for more event details. The 26th annual Boggy Draw Beat Down Bike Race is happening Saturday, August 3rd. Courses include a 60 mile, 33 mile, and 18 mile trail, as well as a three-person 60 mile relay race. All races will start and end at Flanders Park, in Dolores. A new category has been added this year for racers over the age of 65 as well as a three mile family friendly fun ride called the Easy Breezy. Course maps and registration links are available on the Boggy Draw Beat Down website. Mancos Public Library's summer reading program is coming to a close on Wednesday, July 31st. To celebrate, the library is hosting a bubble and foam party outside the library as well as time to trade in reading logs for prizes. A GoFundMe page has been created to help the Hurst family with funeral expenses after a fatal car crash killed three family members last Sunday, July 14th. The Hurst family was driving home from a softball tournament in Utah when the incident occurred. The parents, Derick and Shay, along with their three-month-old baby died on-site while two sons were taken to hospitals for emergency care. As of July 18th, one of the sons has been released from the hospital, but the other is still admitted and being treated by a trauma team in Salt Lake City. All funds from the GoFundMe will go directly toward the children. Learn more about these and other stories online at montezumalocal.news. Thank you 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

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.