Time for the Turkey Trot and Seeing Summer Success

November 15, 2023

The Dolores Thanksgiving Turkey Trot invites you to burn your thighs before the pies with their annual 5k run at 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 23. On Friday, November 24th, bring your leftovers to the Mancos Public Library for a post-Thanksgiving potluck and board game night. Summer 2023 brought increased tourism and travel for Mesa Verde Country, according to local businesses. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by TruWest Auto Outlet and Blondie's Trophy Room

Learn More...

The Dolores Family Project - https://www.facebook.com/DoloresFamilyFoodandFitness/

Dolores CO Turkey Trot - https://www.facebook.com/DoloresTurkeyTrot/

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

Dolores Chamber - https://www.visitdolores.com/

Mancos Chamber - https://mancosvalley.com/

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

EsoTerra Ciderworks - https://esoterracider.com/

Mesa Verde Motel - https://mesaverdemotel.com/

Dolores High School - https://doloresschools.org/

Mesa Verde Country - https://mesaverdecountry.com/

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

Blondie's Trophy Room - https://www.facebook.com/Blondiestrophyroom/

Read the Full Transcript

The Dolores Thanksgiving Turkey Trot invites you to burn your thighs before the pies with their annual 5K run at 8:00 a.m. Thursday, November 23rd. On Friday, November 24th, bring your leftovers to the Mancos Public Library for a post-Thanksgiving potluck and board game night. Summer 2023 brought increased tourism and travel for Mesa Verde Country, according to local business owners. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by truWest Auto and Blondie's Trophy Room. I'm Connor Shreve. November 23rd is Dolores Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Registration is at 8:00 a.m., with the 5K and 1 mile fun run starting at 9:00 a.m. The race will start and finish at Dolores High School, with costumes encouraged. The race is free to enter with a suggested donation of a non-perishable food item to benefit the Dolores Family Project's Backpack Program. Prizes will be given to the winners. Mancos Public Library is holding a post-Thanksgiving potluck and board game night on Friday, November 24th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. You're invited to bring your family and leftovers to share to play the National Park's Colorado Plateau Challenge board game. Other games and puzzles will be available. Looking back at this summer, Mesa Verde Country saw increased summer tourism compared to last year. The Mancos Visitor Center reports a 31% increase in summer visits compared to 2022. The owner of the Mesa Verde Motel in Mancos experienced a growth in occupancy, longer length of stays, higher number of returning guests, and guests booking further ahead. The Dolores Chamber of Commerce also reports an increase in international visitors. Looking at this summer compared to its opening pre-pandemic, founder of EsoTerra Ciderworks, Elizabeth Philbrick, stated that they saw a return to normal. You can learn more about these and other stories online at montezumalocal.news. Thank you 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.