Free Children's Screenings Offered at Upcoming Kids Fair

April 28, 2023

An early childhood festival and fair is scheduled for the last Saturday of April at the Cortez Recreation Center. McPhee Reservoir has announced new summer hours for boating. The seventh annual Hoedown fundraiser at the Mancos Opera House is back. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Big-O Tires and Southwest Health System

Learn More...

Montelores Early Childhood Council - http://monteloresecc.org/

Early Childhood Fair Event - https://www.facebook.com/events/595365805854725/

McPhee Reservoir - https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recarea/?recid=43052

Hoedown Fundraiser Event - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mstfps-7th-annual-hoedown-tickets-484014338917

Mancos Opera House - https://www.facebook.com/MancosOperaHouse/

Cortez Recreation Center - https://www.cortezco.gov/514/Recreation-Center

Read the Full Transcript

Learn about your child's development while enjoying a festival and concert at the Cortez Rec Center. It is time for boating season on McPhee Reservoir and dressed to impress for the annual hoedown to support the Montezuma School two Farm Project. You're watching the local news roundup brought to you by Big O tires and Southwest Health System. I'm Connor Shreve. A kids festival and early childhood fair will be held at the Cortez Rec Center on Saturday, April 29th from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Free vision, growth, dental, hearing, social emotional, and developmental screenings will be provided for children up to five years old. Community resources and activity booths will be part of the fun as well as the Touch A Truck Interactive Car Show, a live broadcast on KRTZ Radio and a live concert performed by Bentley Monk starting at 11:00 AM in the gazebo. Contact the Mano Lores Early Childhood Council for more information. Access to McPhee Reservoir is increasing as summer draws closer. The San Juan National Forests Dolores District is planning on opening the House Creek boat ramp on May 1st. Hours are from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday until October 1st. Access to the main McPhee boat ramp is already open and will remain open for motorized boating activities through October 31st. Current boat registration is required through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Aquatic nuisance species inspectors will be on site to conduct pre-launch inspections of trailers and motorized boats launching onto the reservoir to help stop the spread of invasive species. Boaters who need a full inspection and decontamination are urged to visit the lake during the weekday when the visitation is lower than the weekends. Boaters who do have tags from last year's inspections on McPhee will be able to enter the lake quicker than those who need inspections. For more information visit the San Juan National Forest boating webpage. The seventh Annual Hoedown is returning May 13th at the Minkus Opera House. Organizers are promising a night of live music, dancing, drinking, and auctions to support the Montezuma School two Farm project. Local musicians, the Spaghetti Western Band will play country covers and originals, a live and online auction featuring region specific items, as well as a specialty cocktail and mocktail bar with drinks designed by AmeriCorps service members. Dress in your finest Western wear for a chance to win best dressed in the west. Doors open at five and tickets are available online for 30 to $50. 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.

Christmas Trees for Conservation

San Juan Mountains Association is holding its Christmas Trees for Conservation fundraiser. Come pick up your Christmas tree and support stewardship and conservation education on Southwest Colorado’s public land. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by FLC Center for Innovation and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

Winter Arts and Crafts

Looking for a good cozy winter activity? Get your copy of the Historic Cortez Coloring Book, featuring artwork from over 20 local artists. The book, released earlier this year, has multiple designs inspired by Southwest Colorado and Montezuma County and is perfect for coloring enthusiasts and beginners alike. The Town of Dolores has put out a call to artists of all ages for a new logo design. With three age categories available, there’s a chance for everyone to show off their design skills. Submit your design by the end of December, and the winning logo will be announced Jan. 31, 2025. The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce invites you to the annual community holiday gathering Thursday, Dec. 12 at Moondog Cafe and Bakery. Celebrate the holidays with the awards ceremony for the Person of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Business of the Year, and Cowboy/Cowgirl of the Year. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Hospice of Montezuma.

Join the Parade! Entry Forms Due by Nov. 30

Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Olde Fashioned Christmas on Friday, Dec. 6 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The City of Cortez is establishing new office hours to give staff an early start to their weekend starting Monday, Dec. 2. The Shield 616 Angel Armor Vest presentation is coming up on Monday, Dec. 2nd. The Four Corners Board of Realtors 34th Annual Parade of Lights is accepting entries for parade participants through Thursday, Nov. 30 at 5:00 p.m. The parade will be held on Main Street in Cortez on Saturday, Dec. 7 starting at 6:00 p.m. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Blondie’s Trophy Room.

Local Food & Farms Investment

The Good Food Collective helped 16 local food producers earn business-improving grants from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Local retailers are using the funds for infrastructure improvements to help provide fresh food to underserved areas. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.

Festival of Wreaths and Mancos Valley Annual Awards

Tour more than 50 wreaths downtown Cortez during Community Connections’ 5th Annual Festival of Wreaths. The festival will be held Monday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 8. Dolores’ annual Turkey Trot is happening at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. Vitalant is conducting a blood drive for the Dolores community on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. Nominations for Mancos Valley Annual Awards are due on Thursday, Dec. 5 with winners announced at the Mancos Chamber Community Holiday Gathering on Thursday, Dec. 12. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma.

Carute Roma Brings Gypsy Tunes to the Sunflower Theatre this Saturday

The Sunflower Theatre is celebrating two decades of music with local band Carute Roma on Saturday, November 16th at 6:30 p.m. Mancos Public Library is holding an evening of land education titled, “Our Common Ground: Why You Cannot Fence the Forest” on November 20th featuring author and professor Dr. Andrew Gulliford. The Mancos Art Market will be held on Sunday, December 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at several locations around Mancos. Zu Gallery’s monthly Four Corners Writers Workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, November 20th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.

Esoterra Ciderworks expands into Winemaking

Exciting news for wine lovers in Durango! Following the success of their ciders, Esoterra Ciderworks is expanding into winemaking with the Arboretum—a groundbreaking venue that will transform a 70-acre property into a unique blend of vineyards and apple orchards. From wine tastings and live music to motorboats on the pond for the kids, this venue promises something for the whole family to enjoy. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart and Denise Elliott, State Farm Agent.

Four Corners Writers Anthology Inaugural Event on Nov. 13

The Four Corners Writers Anthology is having its inaugural event on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Cortez Public Library. Mancos FoodShare’s annual winter coat drive has begun and will run through Dec. 16. Clean, gently-used coats, hats and gloves can be dropped off on Mondays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Cortez Public Library will be closed through Monday, Nov. 11, in order to replace the HVAC system. A recent survey from LotteryTexts shows that Coloradans would support the preservation of Mesa Verde National Park if they were to suddenly become wealthy. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motor Company.

Election Week Rally with Adam Frisch

There’s still time to cast your vote! At a rally in Durango on Oct. 30, Adam Frisch rallied support for his campaign as he emphasized the importance of unity among voters. Frisch, the Democratic candidate for Colorado's Third Congressional District, called for collaboration between parties to elevate rural voices in Washington. With Election Day approaching, he urged everyone to make their voices heard at the polls. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and FLC Center for Innovation.