Four States Ag Expo Kicks Off This Weekend

March 11, 2025

The Four States Agriculture Exposition returns to Montezuma County. Find out where to get tickets. Explore student programs and other possibilities at Ute Mountain Recreation Center’s Spring Fair. Join author Lisa C. Taylor at local libraries to hear about her newest release. Find out where! Then, learn about the fight for women’s voting rights presented by the League of Women Voters. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Blondie's Trophy Room.

Learn More...

Four States Agriculture Exposition - https://www.fourstatesagexpo.com/

Dolores Public Library - https://www.doloreslibrary.org/

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

Lisa C. Taylor - https://www.lisactaylor.com/index.html

League of Women Voters - https://www.lwv.org/

Kwiyagat Community Academy - https://utekca.org/

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe - https://www.utemountainutetribe.com/

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

‍

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

Blondie's Trophy Room - https://www.facebook.com/Blondiestrophyroom/

Read the Full Transcript

Family activities, animal education, and farm exhibits return to Montezuma County as the Four States Agriculture Exposition kicks off March 14th. Explore student programs and job possibilities at the Ute Mountain Recreation Center's Youth Programs Fair on March 19th. Join author Lisa C. Taylor at local libraries to hear about her newest release. Then learn about the fight for women's voting rights during a special screening presented by the League of Women Voters. You're watching the "Local News Roundup", brought to you by Choice Building Supply and Blondie's Trophy Room. I'm Connor Shreve. The Four States Ag Expo begins at 9:00 AM on Friday, March 14th, and Saturday, March 15th at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. The event includes hands-on activities for children, animal health education, exhibits, vendors, food trucks, classes, clinics, and more. Tickets are $5 per day. Attendees 16 and younger or 70 and older can enter for free. For tickets and information, visit the Four States Ag Expo website. Families can explore summer activities, programs, job opportunities, and internships for students K through 12th grade at the Ute Mountain Recreation Center's Summer Youth Programs Fair on Wednesday, March 19th. The fair will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and includes food, activities and giveaways. In addition, the Kwiyagat Community Academy will be on hand to accepted admission applications for fall 2025. For more information, call or email the Ute Mountain Recreation Center. Author Lisa C. Taylor will speak at two local libraries about her newly published novel, "The Shape of What Remains". The book explores grief and healings as the main character turns to books, therapy, and music after a tragic event. Taylor will speak at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, March 18th at the Mancos Public Library, and at 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 27th at the Dolores Public Library. Learn more about the fight for women's voting rights during a special screening of the documentary "One Woman, One Vote" at noon on Saturday, March 29th at the Dolores Public Library. The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will host the film, narrated by Susan Sarandon. The film chronicles the women's suffrage movement and the passing of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. You can 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.

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.