Former Louisianans Bring Cajun Culture to Cortez

The second annual Rhythm and Roots Harvest Festival is happening at the Mancos Opera House on Friday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 21. Cortez Middle School Garden is hosting an open house on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to share about the Montezuma School to Farm Project. Mancos Public Library is participating in National Library Card Sign-Up Month this September with a raffle for new card holders. A newly-published report from the National Park Service shows that Mesa Verde National Park contributed more than 75 million dollars to the local economy. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Blondie’s Trophy Room

Pueblo Seed & Food Company has started roasting its 2024 chile crop. Owner Dan Hobbs has found an excited chile clientele since moving his company from Pueblo to Cortez in 2021. He’s also found Pueblo chile varieties thrive in Southwest Colorado. Hobbs will roast fresh bushells for customers on Friday and Saturday afternoons through the end of September. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Big-o tires.

The Dolores Public Library is conducting a writing workshop on Saturday, September 14th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County is holding a panel discussion on health insurance at the County Annex on Saturday, September 14th. The City of Cortez has begun implementing a safety action plan as part of the nationwide Safe Streets for All program. Mesa Verde County’s first annual Fall into Gold Treasure Hunt is taking place on Saturday, October 5th. The hunt is in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Mesa Verde and will culminate in a drawing for a one-ounce double-eagle gold coin. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Keesee Motor Company.

Fort Lewis College has partnered with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to establish a new nursing training facility on its campus. U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper toured the facility on Aug. 29, highlighting the importance of local educational opportunities in retaining healthcare professionals in rural areas. $1.3 million in federal funding will support the CU Nursing Fort Lewis College Collaborative, which aims to train students in community-based, rural, and Indigenous healthcare perspectives. By keeping nursing education local, the program seeks to address the challenges smaller communities face in recruiting healthcare workers and enhance the quality of care available in southwest Colorado. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and M&R Plumbing.

Colorado State Thespians has named Nicholaus Sander of Montezuma-Cortez High School as 2024’s Colorado Theater Teacher of the Year. Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance is hosting a night of amateur astronomy at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum on Friday, September 6th, starting at 7:00 p.m. RISE Southwest is hosting its third annual Memorial Walk for those who have been affected by suicide. The walk will take place at Montezuma Park on Saturday, September 7th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The Dolores Mountain Quilters announced the winners and results of its 2024 quilt show in August. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Big O Tires.

Recycling services have resumed at the Montezuma County Landfill after being halted over the summer due to equipment failures. Between out-of-stock parts and technological incompatibility, the process of repairing key parts of the recycling process took longer than planned. The recycling backlog will be addressed, and efforts will be made to ensure smooth operations going forward. The county is also focused on reducing contamination in recyclables, which slows down processing and can lead to delays in the recycling process. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Hospice of Montezuma.

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.