City Hall
Cortez council requires five-foot sidewalks on new construction
A land use code update ends an exemption that let builders match older, narrower sidewalks and drops a rule that carports match the house.
News
City Hall, the county, roads and weather — what happened and why it matters.
Dolores
Dolores trustees approve water loan, rezone two lots
Minutes from the September 14 meeting record unanimous votes on Phase 2 water financing, a downtown-to-residential rezoning and an easement. A trustee is stepping down October 1.
Schools
Mancos schools to rethink state testing after low participation
Too few Mancos students took the CMAS exams for the state to calculate a standard performance rating, for the fourth year running.
Wildlife
Bear gets into Dolores dumpsters as conflicts climb statewide
Dry conditions have pushed bears toward town in search of food, KSJD reported, and state wildlife officials are asking residents to lock up trash.
City Hall
Cortez council to weigh water master plan, spending limits Tuesday
The City Council will consider adopting a 2026 Water System Master Plan and changing who can approve city spending, and holds a second reading on a historic designation.
County
County commissioners pass on HR software, approve July bills
Minutes from three recent Montezuma County commission meetings show the board declining an HR software purchase, approving nearly $4 million in July payables and postponing a land-use hearing.
Arts
A Cortez grad wrote an overture for his hometown
Jadon Cruzan came back to conduct the Four Corners Community Band in the premiere of a piece built from the first melody he ever wrote.
Road and weather
County fire ban holds as forest and BLM lift restrictions
Unincorporated Montezuma County and the Town of Dolores remain under bans dating to May, even as the San Juan National Forest, BLM and two tribes lifted theirs in mid-September.
County
Commissioners can't discuss solar proposal before hearing, county says
Montezuma County says residents with questions about the latest solar facility proposal should go to the Planning Department, send written comments, or speak at the public hearing.
County
Coffee with the County Monday features emergency manager
County commissioners host an informal session Monday, September 21, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., with County Emergency Manager Jim Spratlen on disaster preparedness.
Road and weather
Micro surfacing underway on six Paradise Village streets
Work began September 8 and is expected to wrap by the end of the month, weather permitting.
City Hall
Cortez seeks board members, applications due September 25
The city has openings on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Public Arts Advisory Committee, and the Board of Adjustment and Appeals.
Community
Oktoberfest Cortez returns to Parque de Vida September 26
The free family festival runs noon to 6 p.m. with live music, food, breweries and kids' activities.
City Hall
Nonprofits can apply for city grants through October 16
The Community Support Grant awards up to $5,000 to organizations serving Cortez; awards are announced in December.
City Hall
Fall Clean-Up Week set for third week of October
The city's twice-yearly bulk pickup takes large items that won't fit in a Polycart. Household trash is not accepted.