Halloween Happenings and PCC President Announces Retirement

October 25, 2023

The Piñon Project is hosting Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, October 28th at Montezuma Park starting at 9 a.m. with a 5k Zombie Walk. On Tuesday, October 31st, the Mancos Public Library invites you to enjoy a chili dinner at their pre-trick-or-treating event. Fenceline Cider will be hosting a costume contest at 5 p.m. that evening. In Cortez, the Chamber of Commerce has coordinated a Safe Stops trick-or-treating route with stops at over 20 businesses from 4 to 6 p.m. on October 31. The Cortez Walmart will also be hosting a kid’s safety event from 5 to 7 p.m. The Dolores Public Library invites Harry Potter fans to join them October 31 at 4 p.m. for A Night at Hogwarts. Pueblo Community College president, Dr. Patricia Erjavec has announced her retirement after a 22-year career with the Colorado Community College System. By Rachel Hughes.

Learn More...

Piñon Project - https://www.pinonproject.org/

Pumpkin Fest Event - https://www.facebook.com/events/330077479408531/?ref=newsfeed

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

Fenceline Cider - https://www.fenceline.co/

Cortez Chamber - https://www.cortezchamber.com/

Cortez FB Event - Halloween Safe Stops: https://www.facebook.com/events/1106950750691659/?ref=newsfeed

Dolores Public Library - https://www.doloreslibrary.org/2023-10-31-a-night-at-hogwarts

Colorado Community College System - https://cccs.edu/

Pueblo Community College - https://pueblocc.edu/

FASTSIGNS – https://www.fastsigns.com/560-durango-co

TruWest Auto Outlet - https://www.truwestautooutlet.com/

Read the Full Transcript

From 5Ks to costume contests, Montezuma County is ready for Halloween, and after a 22-year career with the Colorado Community College System, the Pueblo Community College President has announced her retirement. You're watching the "Local News Roundup," brought to you by FastSigns Durango and TrueWest Auto. I'm Gillian Arnwine. The Pinyon Project is hosting Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, October 28th at Montezuma Park. Starting at 9:00 AM, the festival will include a 5K zombie walk, costume contest, carnival games, and trick or treating. Registration for the zombie walk is open on the Pinyon Projects website. On Tuesday, October 31st, the Mancos Public Library invites you to their pre-trick or treat gathering From five to 6:00 PM. they will be serving chili, and providing puzzles, coloring books, and other family friendly activities. Fenceline Cider is also hosting a Halloween party on the 31st. Games and a costume contest will start at 5:00 PM. on the Fenceline Cider patio with more games and a costume contest, awards at 7:00 PM. In Cortez, businesses have come together to create Halloween Safe Stops Trick-or-Treating Route. Over 20 businesses will be giving out candy from four to 6:00 PM. Trick or treaters are also invited to stop by the Cortez Walmart from five to 7:00 PM for their safety event. Check out the full list of participating businesses on the Cortez Chamber of Commerce website. For more fantastical fun, head to the Dolores Public Library for a night at Hogwarts. This Harry Potter themed event goes from four to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 31st. Pueblo Community College President, Dr. Patricia Erjavec, has announced her retirement. During her career at Pueblo Community College. The college initiated a concurrent enrollment program in Southwest Colorado offering college level courses to high school students. The College now has sites in Bayfield, Durango, and Mancos. Dr. Erjavec also expanded PCC's degree listings and academic offerings by adding nearly 30 new associate degrees, several new bachelor's degrees and eight mobile learning labs for workforce training and a new healthcare training facility. Pueblo Community College is a designated Hispanic serving institution and enrolls over 9,000 per year across all of its sites. Dr. Erjavec also served on the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education and was named a Woman of Influence in 2019 by the Colorado Springs Business Journal. Dr. Erjavec will conclude her 22-year career with the Colorado Community College System in May, 2024. Details about Pueblo Community College's new president will be announced at a later date. Learn more about these and other stories online at montezumalocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the "Local News Roundup." I'm Gillian Arnwine.

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.

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Nearly 5,000 Montezuma Residents Lose SNAP Benefits

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Durango Has Work Ahead as International Mountain-Bike Championships Host

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Cortez Library and Wildfire Adapted Partnership Receive Grants

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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”

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