The 18th Annual Dolores RiverFest Returns

May 31, 2023

The 18th annual Dolores Riverfest promises an all-day party at Joe Rowell Park, featuring live music, local food & drink, river rides and more. The festival runs from 10 am until dark on Saturday, June 3rd. Development of the Dolores Bike and Skate Park continues with the project's next phase: a park design party, which will take place Monday, June 5th from 5 pm - 7 pm at Dolores River Brewery. Organizers will take design ideas and feedback from members of the community. Candidates for the Empire Electric Board of Directors will take questions from community members during an upcoming candidate forum at the Dolores Community Center. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply Ace Hardware and Big O Tires

Learn More...

Dolores Riverfest - https://www.doloresriverfest.org/

Dolores Bike & Skate Park - https://www.doloresbikeandskatepark.com/

Empire Electric Association - https://www.eea.coop/

Dolores Community Center - http://dolorescommunitycenter.com/

Read the Full Transcript

Get ready to party at Joe Rowell Park again. Another year of the Dolores River Fest is upon us. Development of the Dolores Bike and Skate Park continues with a design party scheduled to take place Friday, June 5th, and you can ask Empire Electric Board candidates questions at a forum ahead of the Electric Board election. You're watching the "Local News Roundup" brought to you by Choice Building Supply, ACE Hardware, and Big O Tires. I'm Connor Shreve. The 18th annual Dolores Riverfest will be held on Saturday, June 3rd, at Joe Rowell Park featuring music from Float Like a Buffalo, King Tree and the Earth Mothers, Birds of Play and many more. The event features two stages, local food and beer, river rides, kids play zones, and local vendor booths from 10:00 AM until dark. There will be free parking in Joe Rowell Park and in Town Center at Flanders Park. You can purchase tickets online ahead of time for $25 or at the gate for $30. Find more details at doloresriverfest.org. A design party for the Dolores Bike and Skate Park is coming up on Monday, June 5th, at the Dolores River Brewery from five to 7:00 PM. The Lost Canyon Committee will be there for community feedback on features and design decisions proposed for the new bike and skate park. An Empire Electric Board candidate forum is scheduled to take place Monday, June 5th, at the Dolores Community Center beginning at 6:00 PM. Each guest in attendance will be allowed to enter three questions for the candidates to answer ahead of the Empire Electric Board of Directors election. There are two open seats, one in District Five and one in District Xix. Elise Goggin and Kent Lindsay are the District Five candidates while Jennifer Magnuson and David Sitton are running in District Six. Learn more about this and other stories 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.