Recycling Is Back! Montezuma Landfill Baler Has Been Fixed

August 29, 2024

Play Music on the Porch Day, sponsored by the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association and Zu Gallery, is Saturday, August 31st in Cortez. Montezuma County has replaced the landfill baler and is now accepting recycling again as of August 22nd. The Cortez Police Department’s 2024 Fall Citizens Academy is launching on September 4th and will run on Wednesday nights through October 9th. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles encourages Colorado residents to participate in the KOSI 101.1 Teddy Bear Patrol by donating a new stuffed animals at participating DMV offices through Wednesday, September 4th. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Keesee Motor Company.

Learn More...

Cortez Police Department - https://cortezpd.org/

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

Cortez Retail Enhancement Association - https://shopcortez.com/

ZU Gallery - https://zugallery.com/

City of Cortez - https://www.cortezco.gov/

Play Music on the Porch Day - https://playmusicontheporchday.com/

Colorado Department of Revenue: Division of Motor Vehicles - https://dmv.colorado.gov/

Kosi 101.1 - https://kosi101.com/

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

Keesee Motor Company - https://www.keeseemotorcompany.com/

Read the Full Transcript

Expect to hear lots of live music in Cortez this Saturday for Play Music on the Porch Day. Montezuma County announced that they are now accepting recycling once again. And if you're interested in learning some of the ins and outs of police work and connecting with local officers, join Cortez's Fall Citizens Academy this September. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles is encouraging residents to participate in a small act of kindness. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by Choice Building Supply and Keesee Motor Company. I'm Connor Shreve. Play Music on the Porch Day, sponsored by the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, along with ZU Gallery is Saturday, August 31st. Musicians will be playing around Cortez at local businesses for people to enjoy as they shop and dine. Play Music on the Porch is a global event celebrated annually in over 70 countries that takes place on the last Saturday in August. Follow Shop Cortez on social media for more details. Montezuma County has replaced the landfill baler and is now accepting recycling again as of August 22nd. The City of Cortez resumed its residential pickup and plans to reopen drop off on Monday, September 16th to allow time to catch up. Visit the City of Cortez website for a list of recyclable materials. The Cortez Police Department is launching its Fall Citizens Academy on Wednesday, September 4th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. This six-week academy will take place on Wednesday evenings at the Cortez Police Department through October 9th. Participants will get an inside look at law enforcement operations and connect with local officers. Registration is open to community members ages 18 and older on the Cortez Police Department Crime Watch website. The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles is encouraging Colorado residents to participate in a small act of kindness by donating new stuffed animals at DMV offices across the state through Wednesday, September 4th. This is the seventh year Colorado has participated in the KOSI 101.1 Teddy Bear Patrol. The stuffed animals will be collected and donated to local first responders and emergency teams to comfort children in times of need. Stuffed animals should be new and preferably in store packaging. 24 state driver's license offices are participating, including the DMV in Cortez. 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.