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.

Christmas Trees for Conservation

San Juan Mountains Association is holding its Christmas Trees for Conservation fundraiser. Come pick up your Christmas tree and support stewardship and conservation education on Southwest Colorado’s public land. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by FLC Center for Innovation and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

Winter Arts and Crafts

Looking for a good cozy winter activity? Get your copy of the Historic Cortez Coloring Book, featuring artwork from over 20 local artists. The book, released earlier this year, has multiple designs inspired by Southwest Colorado and Montezuma County and is perfect for coloring enthusiasts and beginners alike. The Town of Dolores has put out a call to artists of all ages for a new logo design. With three age categories available, there’s a chance for everyone to show off their design skills. Submit your design by the end of December, and the winning logo will be announced Jan. 31, 2025. The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce invites you to the annual community holiday gathering Thursday, Dec. 12 at Moondog Cafe and Bakery. Celebrate the holidays with the awards ceremony for the Person of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Business of the Year, and Cowboy/Cowgirl of the Year. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Hospice of Montezuma.

Join the Parade! Entry Forms Due by Nov. 30

Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Olde Fashioned Christmas on Friday, Dec. 6 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The City of Cortez is establishing new office hours to give staff an early start to their weekend starting Monday, Dec. 2. The Shield 616 Angel Armor Vest presentation is coming up on Monday, Dec. 2nd. The Four Corners Board of Realtors 34th Annual Parade of Lights is accepting entries for parade participants through Thursday, Nov. 30 at 5:00 p.m. The parade will be held on Main Street in Cortez on Saturday, Dec. 7 starting at 6:00 p.m. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Blondie’s Trophy Room.

Local Food & Farms Investment

The Good Food Collective helped 16 local food producers earn business-improving grants from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Local retailers are using the funds for infrastructure improvements to help provide fresh food to underserved areas. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.

Festival of Wreaths and Mancos Valley Annual Awards

Tour more than 50 wreaths downtown Cortez during Community Connections’ 5th Annual Festival of Wreaths. The festival will be held Monday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 8. Dolores’ annual Turkey Trot is happening at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. Vitalant is conducting a blood drive for the Dolores community on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. Nominations for Mancos Valley Annual Awards are due on Thursday, Dec. 5 with winners announced at the Mancos Chamber Community Holiday Gathering on Thursday, Dec. 12. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma.

Carute Roma Brings Gypsy Tunes to the Sunflower Theatre this Saturday

The Sunflower Theatre is celebrating two decades of music with local band Carute Roma on Saturday, November 16th at 6:30 p.m. Mancos Public Library is holding an evening of land education titled, “Our Common Ground: Why You Cannot Fence the Forest” on November 20th featuring author and professor Dr. Andrew Gulliford. The Mancos Art Market will be held on Sunday, December 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at several locations around Mancos. Zu Gallery’s monthly Four Corners Writers Workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, November 20th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.

Esoterra Ciderworks expands into Winemaking

Exciting news for wine lovers in Durango! Following the success of their ciders, Esoterra Ciderworks is expanding into winemaking with the Arboretum—a groundbreaking venue that will transform a 70-acre property into a unique blend of vineyards and apple orchards. From wine tastings and live music to motorboats on the pond for the kids, this venue promises something for the whole family to enjoy. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart and Denise Elliott, State Farm Agent.

Four Corners Writers Anthology Inaugural Event on Nov. 13

The Four Corners Writers Anthology is having its inaugural event on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Cortez Public Library. Mancos FoodShare’s annual winter coat drive has begun and will run through Dec. 16. Clean, gently-used coats, hats and gloves can be dropped off on Mondays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Cortez Public Library will be closed through Monday, Nov. 11, in order to replace the HVAC system. A recent survey from LotteryTexts shows that Coloradans would support the preservation of Mesa Verde National Park if they were to suddenly become wealthy. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motor Company.

Election Week Rally with Adam Frisch

There’s still time to cast your vote! At a rally in Durango on Oct. 30, Adam Frisch rallied support for his campaign as he emphasized the importance of unity among voters. Frisch, the Democratic candidate for Colorado's Third Congressional District, called for collaboration between parties to elevate rural voices in Washington. With Election Day approaching, he urged everyone to make their voices heard at the polls. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and FLC Center for Innovation.