Mancos Seeks Vendors and Musicians in Preparation for Summer

March 13, 2024

The Montezuma Leadership Network is hosting an event on Wednesday, March, 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. covering seven essential management skills at First National Bank in Cortez. The Mancos Valley Farmers Market is now accepting applications for vendors and food trucks and scheduling music for the 2024 season. For more information, visit the Mancos Valley Farmers Market Facebook page. Mancos Public Library is seeking new volunteers and friends. Opportunities include helping with programs, web design, shelving, book processing, fundraising, community outreach, indoor and outdoor upkeep, events, and more. Community members can also support the library through Mancos Friends of the Library. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto and The Lor Foundation.

Learn More...

Montezuma Leadership Network - https://montezumaleadershipnetwork.org/about/

Onward! A Legacy Foundation - https://onwardfoundation.org/

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

Mancos Friends of the Library - https://mancosfriends.org/

First National Bank, Cortez - https://www.fnbcortez.com/

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

The Lor Foundation - https://lorfoundation.org/

Read the Full Transcript

The Montezuma Leadership Network invites you to a skills training event, the Mancos Valley Farmers Market has started planning for summer, and Mancos Public Library is looking for more volunteers. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by TruWest Auto and the LOR Foundation. I'm Connor Shreve. The Montezuma Leadership Network is hosting an event on Wednesday, March 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. covering seven essential management skills. The Montezuma Leadership Network began in 2022 under Onward!, a legacy foundation, to equip current and future leaders in Montezuma County. The event costs 30 bucks and will take place at First National Bank in Cortez. Well, spring is still a few days away. Mancos is already working on plans for the summer. The Mancos Valley Farmers Market is now accepting applications for vendors and food trucks for the 2024 season. Vendors can either pay as they go at $15 per market or pay upfront before their first market for $120 for the season. The farmers market has also begun scheduling music and bands for the summer and has its annual meeting set for Thursday, April 11th. Markets will take place on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at Boyle Park beginning on June 6th. For more information, visit the Mancos Valley Farmers Market Facebook page. Mancos Public Library is seeking new volunteers and friends. The library staff will match your interests with a volunteer program that best suits you. Opportunities include helping with programs, web design, shelving, book processing, fundraising, community outreach, indoor and outdoor upkeep, events and more. Application forms are available at the library. Another volunteer opportunity is through Mancos Friends of the Library. Mancos Friends of the Library is a volunteer group that supports and promotes library programs, technology upgrades and more through annual fundraising. Events like book sales, bake sales, a booth at the Cowboy Half Marathon, auctions, and other activities. To join, you can fill out a form on the Mancos Friends website and turn it in at the library. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month and meetings are open to the public. 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.