Fenceline Cider’s Community Pick Program returns after a successful 2023 harvest season, in which it gathered more than forty thousand pounds of apples from the local community. The initiative invites area residents with apple trees to donate their harvests to be used as part of the company's ciders. Fenceline says it helps reduce the amount of local fruit that might go unused after ripening. In exchange for three or more bushels of acceptable apples, Fenceline will offer cider, a bar tab, or cash payment. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/cidery-calls ..read more

The theater community is celebrating Nicholaus Sandner as Colorado’s top drama teacher. Sandner is a Durango local, a Fort Lewis College graduate and a drama teacher at Montezuma Cortez High School. Sandner was recently in Denver to accept his Colorado Theater Teacher of the Year award from the Colorado Thespians organization. Sandner says his students might be as happy as he is for the recognition. By Connor Shreve.  Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/local-teacher-honored  This story is sponsored by Big-O Tires and Blondie’s Troph room.  ..read more

The Cortez Cultural Center’s month-long fundraiser and harvest festival, Everybody Eats, begins on Friday, Oct. 4 with exhibits, expos, and events throughout the month. Dolores Public Library’s Friday Fun Day series is getting started with a new topic: “For the Birds.” The Mancos Public Library is screening the film She Rises Up on Friday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. This month’s event will take place on Friday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. Author, ABC News commentator, and child safety activist Elizabeth Smart is coming to speak in Pagosa Springs and Durango on Tuesday, Oct. 8 as part of the Community Foundati ..read more

Pueblo Seed & Food Company has started roasting its 2024 chile crop. Owner Dan Hobbs has found an excited chile clientele since moving his company from Pueblo to Cortez in 2021. He’s also found Pueblo chile varieties thrive in Southwest Colorado. Hobbs will roast fresh bushells for customers on Friday and Saturday afternoons through the end of September. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories/chile-season-returns This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Big-o Tires.  ..read more

The Montezuma County Fair is happening Saturday, July 27th, through Saturday, August 3rd. The 26th Annual Boggy Draw Beat Down Bike Race is Saturday, August 3rd, with courses of various lengths and a new category for adults over 65 years old. Mancos Public Library is celebrating the end of its summer reading program with a bubble and foam party on Wednesday, July 31st. A GoFundMe page has been created to help the Hurst family with funeral expenses after a fatal car crash killed three family members on Sunday, July 14th. By Rachel Hughes. Watch this story at www.montezumalocal.news/newsstories ..read more

National touring film & arts fest Equus will visit the four corners for the first time on July 26 - 28 in Aztec, New Mexico. In addition to film & arts, the event will include panel discussions, visiting clinicians and a mustang summit to discuss management of the Jicarilla Mustangs. Local artists, filmmakers, policy managers and veterinarians will be on hand for Q&A sessions and panel discussions. The accompanying mustang summit will focus on management strategies for New Mexico’s Jicarilla Mustang herd, and will feature the film “RAMBO of the Carracas Mesa” by local filmmaker Lau ..read more

Darrin Parmenter has been at the heart of gardening in La Plata County for 17 years. He worked as county director and CSU extension horticulturist in La Plata County for 17 years, in addition to co-hosting the Garden Guys radio show on KSUT. Now he’s coordinating Extension efforts across 16 western Colorado counties as Colorado State University Extension’s Western Regional Director. Extension programs bring research and education from state land grant universities to members of the community who aren’t necessarily enrolled in the university. By Connor Shreve. Watch this story at www.montezuma ..read more

Mancos Public Library is kicking off its adult summer reading program on Friday, July 12th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a potluck and book discussion. The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County is conducting a discussion to explain a proposed country sales tax and how it will be used. On Tuesday, July 16th, Ashley Smith of the nonprofit consulting agency Sage Advice and Marcie Bidwell of Land Trust Alliance are holding a workshop on grant writing for rural communities. The Cortez Cultural Center will be displaying illustrations by Brad Goodell throughout the month of July. By Rachel Hughes ..read more

The Dolores Harvest Festival and Car Show is happening Sat., September 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Joe Rowell Park. Grand Autumn Eve will be taking place in Mancos on Sat., September 28. The event celebrates local businesses in Mancos with music, food, and extended shopping hours. The Mt. Lookout Grange 8th Annual Pig Roast is back on Sat, September 28 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Two City of Cortez community grants are still open for application. The deadline to apply for the City of Cortez Community Support Grant is October 18, and the Beautification Grant deadline has been extended to ..read more

The second annual Rhythm and Roots Harvest Festival is happening at the Mancos Opera House on Friday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 21. Cortez Middle School Garden is hosting an open house on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to share about the Montezuma School to Farm Project. Mancos Public Library is participating in National Library Card Sign-Up Month this September with a raffle for new card holders. A newly-published report from the National Park Service shows that Mesa Verde National Park contributed more than 75 million dollars to the local economy. By Rachel Hughes. Watch ..read more