First Shots of Hope Arrive in Southwest Colorado

Play Music on the Porch Day, sponsored by the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association and Zu Gallery, is Saturday, August 31st in Cortez. Montezuma County has replaced the landfill baler and is now accepting recycling again as of August 22nd. The Cortez Police Department’s 2024 Fall Citizens Academy is launching on September 4th and will run on Wednesday nights through October 9th. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles encourages Colorado residents to participate in the KOSI 101.1 Teddy Bear Patrol by donating a new stuffed animals at participating DMV offices through Wednesday, September 4th. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Keesee Motor Company.

The Mancos Opera House is holding a prairie blues concert featuring Michael Hurwitz with opener Shane Queener on Friday, August 23rd. Don’t miss the Cortez Cultural Center’s local exhibit with art by Erny Zah and Benton Yazzi. Sally Dziedzic, owner and general manager of Mesa Verde Motel, won the Frontline Hospitality Tourism Worker Award from the Colorado Governor's Office of Tourism for her contribution to Colorado’s tourism industry. The City of Cortez is encouraging residents and local businesses to register their security and door cameras with Crimewatch. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motor Company.

The Dolores Mountain Quilters Quilt Show is happening at the Dolores Community Center on Friday, August 16th and Saturday, August 17th. The Sunflower Theatre is holding back-to-back events this weekend. On Friday, August 16th, the theater is screening the film Kinds of Kindness at 7:00 p.m. Then, on Saturday, August 17th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Lower Left Improv will be doing an improv comedy show. On Saturday, August 17th, Mancos Brewing Company is hosting Summer Brewfest. The event benefits Mancos Valley Resources and Mancos Food Share. Kat Berner will be leading a rock painting workshop at the Mancos Public Library on Saturday, August 17th from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Hospice of Montezuma.

The Montezuma County Landfill has extended its recycling hold until a new modem arrives. Mancos Public Library is creating a Japanese-style shopping district for a special teen cafe event on Saturday, August 10th from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Fenceline Cider is hosting a pop-up event with artisan products from Inspire Me Latin America on Saturday, August 10 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Dolores Public Library is holding a candidate meet and greet with democrat Adam Frisch on Tuesday, August 13th at 4:00 p.m. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Hospice of Montezuma.

While Mesa Verde National Park is celebrated for its historic cliff dwellings and archaeological sites, many may be surprised to learn about the presence of wild horses roaming the park. The National Mustang Association of Colorado (NMACO) has undertaken the Mesa Verde Project to relocate these horses, aiming to preserve the park's cultural heritage. This effort is driven by the park's role, which excludes horse management responsibilities under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, placing such duties with the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Blondie's Trophy Room.

This weekend, August 2nd through the 4th, join the Cortez Rendezvous Ballroom Rally for its 20th annual community hot air balloon event. Story Tree Ranch is hosting its 2024 Women Rock event on Saturday, August 10th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Dolores’ 48th annual founders day celebration, Escalante Days, is happening August 9th through the 11th at Joe Rowell Park and around Dolores. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma.

There is still two months left to experience the Sherlock Holmes exhibit at the Farmington Museum at Gateway Park. "Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition" features original manuscripts, period artifacts, and crime-solving activities inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary experiences and manuscripts. From exploring Victorian London to unraveling mysteries, visitors can step into Holmes' world and discover the mysteries for themselves. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and Distill Beer Wine Spirits.

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.

National touring film & arts fest Equus will visit the four corners for the first time on July 26 - 28 in Aztec, New Mexico. In addition to film & arts, the event will include panel discussions, visiting clinicians and a mustang summit to discuss management of the Jicarilla Mustangs. Local artists, filmmakers, policy managers and veterinarians will be on hand for Q&A sessions and panel discussions. The accompanying mustang summit will focus on management strategies for New Mexico’s Jicarilla Mustang herd, and will feature the film “RAMBO of the Carracas Mesa” by local filmmaker Laura Harper. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and Northern Edge Casino.

Darrin Parmenter has been at the heart of gardening in La Plata County for 17 years. He worked as county director and CSU extension horticulturist in La Plata County for 17 years, in addition to co-hosting the Garden Guys radio show on KSUT. Now he’s coordinating Extension efforts across 16 western Colorado counties as Colorado State University Extension’s Western Regional Director. Extension programs bring research and education from state land grant universities to members of the community who aren’t necessarily enrolled in the university. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Denise Elliott, State Farm Agent.