Cortez CO

The Colorado Times Recorder takes a closer look at a climate of chaos and fear that is reigning in the underfunded, understaffed district, where nearly a dozen teachers told the reporter that they would be fired if they spoke on the record.

Demonstrations against the Trump administration and its policies happened across the United States on Saturday, October 18, 2025. View photographs from protests in Durango, Cortez, and Mancos. Attendees decried authoritarianism and attacks on immigrants, public lands, and government institutions.

It's estimated that outdoor recreation contributes more than a trillion dollars to the U.S. economy. A new podcast explores how this plays out in several rural communities in our region.

Now almost 240 members strong, the band at Montezuma-Cortez Middle School credits part of its success to people who donate their new or used instruments to they can bring music to the masses.

Young people leave their homes to explore and learn everywhere, not just in rural America. However, rural spaces offer some unique advantages that inspire many to return and bolster their communities.

It’s one of many battles fought nationwide for the survival of rural birth centers, which tend to be less profitable for hospitals operating in small communities. At stake is the health and safety of women who could lose access to necessary healthcare entirely.

The suspects fled in their vehicle, and shots were exchanged with police a short time later.

The food pantry has also been seeing an increase in shoppers since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bridge Shelter in Cortez is only open in the winter months. The shelter's executive director says “We literally have no options for families right now..."

A television show pilot that will be shot in Montezuma County this fall aims to put the area on the filmmaking map. It's also an opportunity for the…