Shop to Support Young Entrepreneurs and Local Artists

November 27, 2023

Get your holiday shopping done and support local artists and entrepreneurs this season with Cortez’s Young Entrepreneur Showcase, Mancos’ Artist Sunday, and Dolores’ arts and crafts markets. Then, celebrate the season with food, music, and Santa at Mancos Valley’s Olde Fashioned Christmas on Friday, December 1st. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored Big O Tires and The Lor Foundation

Learn More...

Mancos Chamber - https://mancosvalley.com/

U.S. Small Business Administration - https://www.sba.gov/

American Express - https://www.americanexpress.com/

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

Mancos Creative District - https://mancoscreativedistrict.com/

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

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

Dolores River Brewery - https://www.doloresriverbrewery.com/

Dolores Community Center - https://dolorescommunitycenter.com/
FB Event Link - https://www.facebook.com/events/293392886970670/?ref=newsfeed

Big O Tires - https://www.bigotires.com/location/co-cortez-81321/006168

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

Read the Full Transcript

Get your holiday shopping done and support local artists and entrepreneurs this season with Cortez's Young Entrepreneur Showcase, Mancos Artists Sunday, and Dolores arts and crafts markets. Then, celebrate the season with food, music, and Santa at Mancos Valley's Olde Fashioned Christmas. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by Big O Tires and the LOR Foundation. I'm Connor Shreve. November 25th is Small Business Saturday. Started in 2010 by American Express and co-sponsored by the US Small Business Administration in 2011, Small Business Saturday is a day to support small businesses during the holiday shopping season and celebrate their role in your local communities. The Cortez Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Young Entrepreneur Showcase that Saturday to foster future business owners in the area. Youth can reserve a table or booth to display their goods and services for free with city sales tax waived. The event will be open to the public from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Mancos Creative District is celebrating Artists Sunday on November 26th. Local art markets will be open for shoppers at Fenceline Cider and the Mancos Opera House from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM, as well as galleries and shops in downtown Mancos. The events will feature live music and food trucks. The annual Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts & Crafts market will be Saturday, December 2nd. Come to the Dolores River Brewery from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for live music, snacks, and creations from local artists. Arts and crafts include ceramics, handmade chocolates, soaps, graphic arts, and more. The Dolores Community Center is also hosting their 31st annual Christmas bazaar with over 50 vendors from across the Four Corners region. The event has expanded to two days, Friday, December 1st and Saturday, December 2nd. Mancos Valley's Olde Fashioned Christmas is also coming up, Friday, December 1st from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. The event will feature a Rudolph run, food, music, kids' parade, Santa, and more. Visit the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce website for the full schedule. And a quick clarification from our story last week about the Dolores Turkey Trot. Registration for the event begins at 8:00 AM. The run itself will begin at 9:00 at Dolores High School. Learn more about these and other stories online at montezumalocal.news. Local News Network wishes you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving. We'll be back with your Local Roundup December 6th. 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.