Former Louisianans Bring Cajun Culture to Cortez

Fort Lewis College Professor Justin McBrayer has won a prestigious award from the Fulbright Program. McBrayer will spend a term in Italy both conducting research and teaching at the University of Genoa, Italy in 2025. This is the second time McBrayer has received an award from the prestigious Fulbright Program, which is “devoted to increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” McBrayer said the award will allow him to continue exploring the issue of misinformation and fake news. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

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.

The Town of Dolores is having their community-wide yard sale and flea market on Saturday, June 8th. The sign-up deadline for residents to be on the yard sale map is Friday, May 31st. The Raven Narratives, a night of live storytelling, is coming to the Sunflower Theatre on Friday, June 7th. Mancos Friends of the Library is holding an online auction from Monday, June 3rd to Sunday, June 9th. The winner will receive a one-night stay in the Jersey Jim Fire Lookout Tower on Saturday, July 13th. The Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance is seeking volunteers for its upcoming Four Corners Indigenous Art Market on Saturday, June 15th. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Big O Tires.

The local music festival and community celebration Montezuma Rising is Sunday, May 26th. In addition to local music, food, and cider, this all-day event will highlight local nonprofits in Montezuma County with all profits benefiting the Mancos Grange. The 18th Annual Dolores River Festival is kicking off on Friday, May 31st at the Dolores River Brewery followed by a full day of live music on Saturday, June 1st at Joe Rowell Park. Due to the summer-long demolition project at Flanders Park, the Dolores Farmers Market will be held at Joe Rowell Park this summer. The first market is on Wednesday, June 5th from 4 to 7 p.m. The Colorado Department of Transportation would like to remind drivers that US Highway 550 will be closed to vehicles on Saturday, May 25th between Purgatory Ski Resort and Silverton for the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Applications for the Turf Replacement Program are now open to Cortez residential homeowners and commercial business owners through October 1st. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto and Choice Building Supply.

Montezuma Rising is a community music festival in the heart of downtown Mancos featuring the bands Desert Child, Ora, Desiderata, Le Trebuchet, Proud Mother and Influsense. The El Rio Cantina will host the after-party featuring DJ BADGOAT. The fest will also spotlight local non-profits and community organizations doing great things for Montezuma County, and is spearheaded by Fenceline Cider. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto and Blondie’s Trophy Room.

The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County in collaboration with the Mancos, Dolores, and Cortez Public Libraries, is conducting an event about evaluating media in the age of misinformation and disinformation on Thursday, May 23rd from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sunflower Theatre featuring three professors from Fort Lewis College. The City of Cortez is conducting a city cleanup week May 20th through the 24th for curbside pick-up items. The Mancos Public Library is hosting two events on Friday, May 24th: the teen summer program kickoff and a panel discussion on permaculture and backyard gardening. The Colorado Department of Transportation began a lane striping project on May 13th that will span several highways throughout southwestern and south-central Colorado, including Dolores and Cortez. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Keesee Motor Company.

Dan Hobbs and Nanna Meyer opened a new Bakehouse in Cortez last September to bring their locally grown grains and seeds to the community through delicious whole grains sourdough baked goods. At the farm only a few miles away in McElmo Canyon, Hobbs and Meyer experiment with drought-resistant seeds and grains from around the world to find the most hardy and nutritious seeds they can grow — and then mill and bake in the bakehouse. Find the tasty treats at Pueblo Seed and Food Co every Friday and Saturday. By Ilana Newman. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motors and Choice Building Supply.

The choir director for the Montezuma-Cortez High School is taking ten of her Chamber Choir students to perform at Carnegie Hall with the New England Symphonic Ensemble on June 1st. The choir now has a GoFundMe page where anyone can donate to offset some of the trip costs. Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival, hosted by the Cortez Cultural Center, is back for its 17th year May 15th through the 19th. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Cortez Public Library is hosting a free, mindfulness class on May 15th at 5 p.m. Laurie Dameron, a recipient of the Billboard Magazine award, will be performing at the Parque De Vida Amphitheater in Cortez on Friday, May 17th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Mancos Public Library and Cortez Public Library are hosting book signings and author talks this month featuring Carol Bylsma, author of A Chicken of Independent Means, and Jim Duke, author of Dances with Donkeys. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto and Blondie’s Trophy Room.

Katie Terrell Ramos started Mesa Verde Lavender in 2021 after falling in love with lavender and finding inspiration to start farming in Montezuma County. In 2023, Mesa Verde Lavender received a Field Work grant from the LOR Foundation to expand their fields and add drip irrigation for water conservation. Find Mesa Verde Lavender around the region at coffee shops, bakeries, and apothecaries. By Ilana Newman. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and TruWest Auto.

The 2024 Dolores Town Cleanup is happening Monday, May 6th, through Wednesday, May 8th. Hospice of Montezuma invites you to be a gamechanger at its 22nd annual golf tournament fundraiser on Saturday, May 11th at Conquistador Golf Course. Mancos Days’ Beach Party Fundraiser is Saturday, May 11th at the Mancos Opera House featuring live music by Hip Hop is Dead, a silent auction, and awarding funds to local nonprofits. Over 400 thousand dollars was awarded to Montezuma County for forest fire mitigation and management. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Keesee Motor Company.