Events Calendar

Community Engagement Opportunities on Lodger's Tax Ballot Measure

Cortez, CO — The City of Cortez will host public informational sessions
this fall to help community members learn about the Lodger's Tax question
that will appear on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. The
proposal, certified under Ordinance No. 1375, Series 2026, asks voters to
approve an increase in the City's Lodgers' Tax rate from 2 percent to 6
percent. This tax is paid only by visitors during their stay in hotels,
motels, and short-term rentals (for up to 30 days) inside Cortez city
limits. Residents do not pay this tax.

Informational Session Dates and Locations

• September 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce
(20 West Main Street)

• September 24, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Cortez Public Library (202 North
Park Street
https://www.google.com/maps/search/202+North+Park+Street?entry=gmail&source=g
)

The City currently levies a 2 percent Lodger's Tax, one of the lowest among
comparable Colorado communities. Increasing the rate would allow for
expanded tourism marketing, economic development and redevelopment, and
investment in arts and cultural events, programs, and facilities. The
measure is expected to generate not more than 900,000 dollars in the first
collection year, with future revenue dependent on collections.

Under the Colorado Constitution's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, TABOR requires
the City to mail a notice containing summaries of comments submitted for
and against the ballot issue. Any person may file comments, but only
comments submitted by eligible electors residing within Cortez city limits
will be summarized. Comments must include the elector's name, residential
address, and signature.

Written comments may be submitted to the City Clerk and Designated Election
Official at Reveal email or delivered or mailed to Cortez City
Hall, 123 Roger Smith Ave, Cortez, CO 81321
https://www.google.com/maps/search/123+Roger+Smith+Ave,+Cortez,+CO+81321?entry=gmail&source=g.
Comments must be received no later than Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00
p.m. Comments received after this deadline are not guaranteed to be
included in the TABOR Notice.

Comments from eligible electors received by the deadline will be summarized
into one statement for and one statement against the ballot issue, each not
to exceed 500 words. The TABOR Notice will be mailed to all registered
voters prior to the election.

The City encourages residents to attend an informational session to learn
more about the ballot measure, ask questions, and share their thoughts.
Voters can verify their voter registration status and mailing address at
Govotecolorado.gov
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3A%2F%2FGovotecolorado.gov&c=E%2C1%2CpgyqXPjRHTT8J7EXIHg04AzTnaPhmqNImYl3yk5pVk3SgLXeBgBkOv_sMBSMuqdTsY9Su0-ySuAntFD7s-EzWLcnFIzvuys1NueHedJLINy8J-QfZzdhVA%2C%2C&typo=1&ancr_add=1
to ensure they receive their ballot for the November 3, 2026 election.

For more information, please visit: Visit website
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cortezco.gov%2F248%2FElections&c=E%2C1%2CTjF1fHHlil2yZr6MK7vwiqbz4XkxCSf9VvLCIx71NsWakeUpP1rOdyJtX6d9ywSHY8dfW3njVqwNLMMMhwwuPz_Ew1T8vr_KagdnDS_LFA%2C%2C&typo=1

Enclosures:

• Social media graphics for Lodgers Tax Info Sessions

https://www.google.com/maps/search/608+North+Park+Street+%0D%0A+Cortez,+Colorado+81321?entry=gmail&source=g

Kelly Codner

Public Information Officer

City of Cortez

608 North Park Street
https://www.google.com/maps/search/608+North+Park+Street+%0D%0A+Cortez,+Colorado+81321?entry=gmail&source=g

Cortez, Colorado 81321
https://www.google.com/maps/search/608+North+Park+Street+%0D%0A+Cortez,+Colorado+81321?entry=gmail&source=g

P: Reveal phone <(970)%20565-8441>

F: Reveal phone <(970)%20564-4057>

City of Cortez: Visit website
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cortezco.gov%2F&c=E%2C1%2CT2BhzsGfRJGJMMRTvCmy3pjMkwjvRBsrjtzMqUfMClZwmnv2Htkhp1gNcjKSVa5HKPyyYuwFVHPc7rs864suVkM8Fz3eTOL7rlkmZAUMu0AJ98ggZCSd-A%2C%2C&typo=1

*Follow us on Facebook: Visit website
https://www.facebook.com/Cityofcortezcolorado/ *

Under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), all messages sent by me or to
me on this City-owned e-mail account may be subject to public disclosure.

Come join local poet Geneva Toland for a FREE youth poetry workshop at Mancos Public Library on Thursday, Sept 17th from 4:30-5:30pm. Ages 11+ welcome!

Sept. 17 – Third Thursday (last event of the summer!)

FREE music, food and family fun for the community in Montezuma Park

5p-8p

📅 September 18
📍 Mancos, Colorado

We’re kicking things off on Friday, September 18 with a special keynote
author talk featuring artist Chip Thomas, setting the stage for an
inspiring day on Saturday the 19, celebrating printmaking, creativity,
community, and the power of the printed image. For more on Chip Thomas and
the festival, Mancos Print Festival
https://mancoscommonpress.org/mancos-print-festival/

📅 September 19
📍 Mancos, Colorado
Join us September 18 & 19 for a celebration of all things PRINT! From
hands-on workshops to a print market, steamroller printing, a community
print project, a kids’ printing station, and so much more—there will be
something for everyone to explore, make, and enjoy. It is all FREE except
for the registered workshops
https://mancoscommonpress.org/product/monothon-september-19-morning-or-afternoon/
.
For more information, visit: Mancos Print Festival
https://mancoscommonpress.org/mancos-print-festival/

Jody Chapel
Program Director
Reveal phone
mancoscommonpress.org

Spooky season is officially here...and Cortez Tours invites you to come on a ghost tour! Learn the spooky history of downtown Cortez. Tours start at $28 per adult, and $5 from every ticket sale is donated to the Montezuma Heritage Museum. Families with kids are invited but ghosts and some darker sides of history are discussed, so parents beware!

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this important program. It will be held at Cortez Integrated Health and a tour of the facility will be provided at the end of the program. See flyer for more details.

Karen Sheek
President, League of Women Voters, Montezuma County

Join the Montelores Coalition and our partners for a morning of giving back to a place our community knows and loves. Help care for Hawkins Preserve by clearing trails, picking up trash, and tackling other hands-on projects that make a difference. Snacks and supplies will be provided! Come for one hour, two, or all three! Please register online here for a head count (but, registration is not required to attend!): Visit website

Over 20 local artists and makers will be represented at Odd Cat Bookstore on Saturday, September 19th! We'll be set up Farmer's Market-style in the parking lot.
A wide variety of offerings including fiber arts, ceramics, pine needle and gourd items, jewelry, paintings, photography and MORE!
Have some snacks provided by The Lunch Lady Catering and enjoy the guitar tunes from Doug Freed.
Help us support and appreciate these talented friends and neighbors of ours- swing by and peruse all the lovely handmade items they have to offer!
No parking in the lot until after 3pm- parking available in the high school lot across the road or next door in the park.
No rain date.

Join us at the Montezuma Heritage Museum to learn about Ute culture
directly from Ute Elders presenting
and demonstrating flute making and playing, Native plant gathering and
uses, beading, and basket making.
Saturday, September 19
2 to 4 pm
35 S. Chestnut St. Cortez, CO
Free - Call Reveal phone or email office@montezuma museum to register.

Barbara Stagg, Museum Development
Montezuma Heritage Museum
Reveal phone

Where did the summer go?

We are psyched to be playing at Teetzel’s farm and studio September 19.

We will have special guest master percussionist Baba Fred Simpson from
Santa Fe joining us onstage.

We’ll have a full ensemble of excellent musicians:

Baba Fred Simpson on congas, djembe, Ngoma and percussion-- and our amazing
horn section Damian Hagge on Alto Sax, Ian Bolotchek on Tenor and Jared
Wright on Trumpet
Alexii Carrey on Bass, Dean Mullen on percussion
Ian on Tenor Sax and Danny Quinlan on guitar
That’s me Bradley on Drumset and Percussion, Jared Wright trumpet
Damian Hagge will actually be playing Alto sax, sadly he sold his Bari...

we are going to light up the place!!

Usual Drill
BYOB and bring an hors d'oeuvres to share.
Suggested donation of $20 in the bucket.
hang out at 6:00 and music starts around 7
It's gonna be a great music event so bring friends.
Room for dancing

Cheers

Mesa Verde Farm & Studio
18144 Road 24.25
https://www.google.com/maps/search/18144+Road+24.25?entry=gmail&source=g
Ocean view Drive
Dolores, Colorado
Reveal phone <(970)%20739-6452>
Reveal phone <(970)%20739-6453>
mesaverdefarm.com

Join us on Wednesday, September 23, 5-7pm at Mancos Public Library for a Meet & Greet reception for the library's new Executive Director, Diane Collier.

Mancos Print Festival, A Celebration of Print.

Friday, September 18

9am – 5 pm ~ Tintype photos with Ernie Rheaume in the historic Times
Tribune building – by appt. Make an appointment here.
https://calendly.com/agcn-photography/mancos-common-press-tintypes

5:30 – 7 pm ~ Artist Talk with Chip Thomas aka jetsonorama at Mancos
Commons. See below for more on Chip Thomas. FREE

Saturday, September 19

9 am – 12:30 pm ~ Monothon! Screenprint monothon mini-workshop with
resident artist Clint Grounds. $50 Register here
https://mancoscommonpress.org/product/monothon-september-19-morning-or-afternoon/
.

9am – 5 pm ~ Tintype photos with Ernie Rheaume in the historic Times
Tribune building – by appt. Make an appointment here.
https://calendly.com/agcn-photography/mancos-common-press-tintypes

1 – 3:30 pm ~- Monothon! Plate monothon mini-workshop with visiting
artist Kate Aitchison. $50 Register here
https://mancoscommonpress.org/product/monothon-september-19-morning-or-afternoon/
.

10 am – 4 pm ~ Print Market in the Commons Courtyard FREE

10 am – 3 pm ~ Community Print Project in Pioneer Park (across the street
from the Mancos Common Press) FREE

10 am – 3 pm ~ Kids Print Station in Pioneer Park (across the street from
the Mancos Common Press) FREE

4 pm ~ Steamroller Printing in Pioneer Park (across the street from the
Mancos Common Press) FREE
7 pm ~ After party at Rio Cantina (across the street from the Mancos
Common Press) with Midnight Cowboy trio

See website for more details.

Visit website

See how a 3D printer actually works, then print and take home your own custom keychain.

📅 Tuesday, Sept 22 | 10:30 AM | Ages 12+ | $5

It's back...and this time it's FREE. 🔧⚙️ Internal Combustible Engines & Maintenance returns for another round starting September 22nd, and we're not charging a dime for it.

Learn how engines actually work and how to keep them running strong. Real, practical knowledge every driver should have. Bring your safety glasses, bring your tools if you've got 'em, and bring your questions. Ages 15 and up. Space is limited so don't wait! 🔩

📅 Every Tuesday starting September 22nd, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 209 W. Main St., Cortez, CO
📩 Sign up at fundamentalneeds.net/workshopsandevents

Sign up today before spots are gone!

Fold, bind, and dip fabric in indigo to create striking blue patterns. Bring home your own piece.

📅 Wednesday, Sept 23 | 10:30 AM | Teens & Up | $5

Sew a fall-themed pot holder square! You'll learn batting layers, quilting, clipping curves, topstitch finishing, and the heat-safe material rule. All materials included, but feel free to bring your own cotton fabric.

Please note: this is one of our longer classes. Plan for a full 2.5 hours. Beginners are absolutely welcome, but we want you to have enough time to finish without rushing. Come ready to settle in, and feel free to bring a snack or a drink.

📅 Wednesday, Sept 23 | 5:00 PM | Ages 14+ | Members $5 / Non-members $25

Sept. 21 – Teen Court Trial

7:30am – Cortez City Hall Municipal Court

Sept. 15 – Lodger’s Tax Informational Session & Q&A

11:30am – 1:30pm – Bring your lunch and your curiosity and questions about
the November ballot item!

Cortez Chamber of Commerce

20 West Main Street, Cortez

*More sessions are being confirmed. Please visit the City of Cortez
website (Elections)
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cortezco.gov%2F248%2FElections&c=E%2C1%2CUJgGP7I_lk7o0h14_bzKWb3AislqUwe6TrGEgDDgLHy6TWjc8WBmuYuvOkhfJ670mVJOkOzStFjLuBTclvlYNzqSt_pJDAk8QxhcnCom6mkAUldw11cXQT8%2C&typo=1
for the most updated information.

This is a reminder that our next League meeting will be this Saturday, 9/19/26 at

Cortez Integrated Health
691 Empire Street
Cortez
10:15 AM

Haley Leonard Saunders will present a program on The Future of Community Health Care.  Federal plicy chanages may affect health care access in SW Colorado.  Learn what they may be and how these changes could impact you and your family.  A tour of the facilities will also be provided.

The program is free and open to the public so invite family and friends.

Karen Sheek
Chair, League of Women Voters, Montezuma County