Cortez Makes Improvements to Parks and Pools

June 05, 2024

The City of Cortez Parks Department is holding a rededication ceremony on June 7th for two of the town’s pocket parks where new playgrounds were added last year. City of Cortez recreation pools have endured several infrastructure issues this season, including broken heaters. The Cortez Outdoor Municipal Pool is set to re-open to the public no later than June 10th. The Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo is this weekend, Thursday, June 6th through Saturday, June 8th. Marcie Ryan is doing a presentation on her trip to Tanzania at the Cortez Public Library on Wednesday, June 12th. The City of Cortez’s recycling hold will continue into July until the Montezuma County landfill baler is fixed. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto and Keesee Motor Company.

Learn More...

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

Ute Mountain Roundup Prca Rodeo - https://www.utemountainroundup.org/

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association - https://www.prorodeo.com/

Cortez Public Library - https://www.cortezco.gov/761/Library

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

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TruWest Auto - https://www.truwestautooutlet.com/

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

Read the Full Transcript

The City of Cortez is working to improve its recreation areas including parks and pools this summer. The Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo is happening this weekend. The Cortez Public Library is hosting a presentation as part of its summer reading program. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by TruWest Auto and Keesee Motor Company. I'm Connor Shreve. The City of Cortez Parks Department invites you to a rededication ceremony for two of the town's pocket parks, where new playgrounds were added last year. The ceremony and celebrations will take place Friday, June 7th, at 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM at the parks on Market Street and Third Street respectively. The City of Cortez will continue to enhance recreational spaces this summer by adding picnic tables and revitalizing the turf at South Neighborhood Park. Outside temperatures are heating up, but the City of Cortez rec pools will not be open until later this month. After several years of issues and infrastructure failures, including a broken heater, the Cortez Outdoor Municipal Pool is set to reopen to the public no later than June 10th. The pool's heater was replaced over the winter, and due to an electrical issue during the startup process delayed the summer swim season. The leisure and kiddie pool heaters also both died, but are scheduled to be replaced later this month. The Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo is this weekend, with events running through Saturday, June 8th. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo will begin at 7:00 PM each night, followed by a nightly after party with drinks and live music. Tickets are available on the Ute Mountain Roundup website. Marcie Ryan is doing a presentation on her trip to Tanzania at the Cortez Public Library on Wednesday, June 12th. The presentation is part of the library's summer reading event, themed Adventure Begins at Your Library. The City of Cortez's recycling hold will continue into July. Parts have been ordered and are expected to arrive early July to fix the Montezuma County Landfill baler. Until then, the landfill will not be accepting paper, cardboard, or plastics. Residents can follow the Montezuma County Colorado Facebook page for updates. 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.

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Cortez Library and Wildfire Adapted Partnership Receive Grants

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