2012 tourist guide

Gateway to Four Corners RecreationAsk About Our Favorite Spots

Open Everyday 8am-8pmCall - For Custom Service - 882-7353

www.doloresfoodmarket.com

2 • Southwest Colorado Visitors Guide • www.cortezjournal.com

Cortez and the surrounding area is a splendid destination full of diverse attractions, activities and people.

At the center of the attractions are the numerous archaeo-logical sites around the region that offer a portal to fascinating information about people who once lived in the area. Of these, the crown jewel of attractions is Mesa Verde National Park. The park, filled with ancient sites of Ancestral Puebloans welcomes tens of thousands of visitors a year and offers spectacularly pre-served ruins, some more than 2,000 years old.

There are a number of other ancient sites to explore, as well as soaking in the Native American culture of the nearby Ute Mountain Ute and Navajo tribes.

The recreation opportunities range from mountain biking to golf to water sports and fishing to more.

The area truly offers something for everyone. The terrain is just as diverse as the attractions and people. With desert land-scapes to the south and the west and high mountain destina-tions to the north and east.

We hope you find this guide to be informational and helpful as you explore the numerous attractions and activities available in and around Cortez.

Soak in the culture and diversity of the area, and enjoy your stay!

Welcome!Publisher — Suzy Meyer

Advertising Director — Mark DrudgeSection Editor — Dale ShrullCover photo — Sam Green

Layout and Production— Linda McDarbyContributing writers and photographers: Kimberly Benedict, Michael Maresh, Reid Wright, Bobby Abplanalp, Dale Shrull, Russell Smyth, Suzy Meyer, Domino Hawks, Shannon Livick,

Jeanne Archambeault, Sam Green, Kelly Jackson.

ContentsCommunities of the Area ------------------------------ Page 3Events Calendar ---------------------------------------- Page 8Visitor’s Center ---------------------------------------- Page 12Cortez Attractions ------------------------------------- Page 14Recreation --------------------------------------------- 1Archaeology areas ------------------------------------- Page 28Mesa Verde -------------------------------------------- Page 32Dining Guide ------------------------------------------ Page 43Lodging Guide ----------------------------------------- Page 46

Published by the Cortez Journal

SouthweSt Color ado2012 ViSitor Guide Communities

Recreation

Archaeology

History/Culture

Dining

Lodging

Southwest Colorado Visitors Guide • www.cortezjournal.com • 3

By Reid WRightCortez Journal

On Christmas Day in 1886, a wagon piled high with lumber rolled on to a dusty cattle roundup ground where leaders from the Mon-tezuma Valley Water Supply Co. had an ambitious vision of raising

a thriving agricultural community from the dry, sandy soils of the Mont-ezuma Valley.

Knowing the water from nearby Mitchell Springs and a well on Main Street of Cortez would not be enough to support the community, a mile-long tunnel was bored through the crumbling sandstone to channel the waters of the Dolores River, which would become the lifeblood of Cortez.

Now, 125 years later, the community of Cortez offers a casual, accommo-dating and affordable place for travelers of the Southwest to stop and rest along the way while enjoying a few attractions off the beaten path.

Located 45 miles west of Durango on U.S. Highway 160, Cortez offers a wide spectrum of lodging and dining accommodations.

For lodging, the city offers hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, recreation-al-vehicle parks, campgrounds, guest ranches and vacation home rentals.

Dining establishments in the city include family-owned restaurants, fast food, cafes, and diners ranging from home cooking to ethnic foods.

Cortez remains at the crossroads of cultures. Located near the edge of the Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute tribal lands, Cortez galleries and shops showcase authentic Native American arts and crafts.

The Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., features living culture in the

form of colorful Native American dances, as well as special cultural pro-grams, such as presentations on the Navajo Code Talkers, after dances.

The cultural center also features a museum, art gallery and plethora of classes and activities throughout the summer.

Rural farmers and artisans bring fresh produce and goods to the Cortez Farmers Market on Saturdays at the Montezuma County Courthouse, lo-cated at 109 W. Main St.

For more information on Cortez and the surrounding area, contact the Colorado Welcome Center at 970-565-4048, or stop by at 928 E. Main St.

Cortez: Crossroads of culture

The Cortez Cultural Center

Communities

Recreation

Archaeology

History/Culture

Dining

Lodging


By SHannon LivickDolores Star

Dolores, a small town with a population of around 1,000, is nestled inside the beauti-

ful Dolores River Valley.Dolores is only one mile away

from the San Juan National For-est and is the nearest neighbor to McPhee Reservoir, all making Do-lores an outdoor enthusiast’s won-

derland.As the river slows down in Do-

lores, so does the pace of life in town. So feel free to stop by, dunk your feet in the Dolores River and spend some time in this cozy town.

The river typically peaks around the end of May, making the river a great spot to spend the day, with a book or a picnic.

The Dolores River was named by two Spanish Catholic priests, Fran-cisco Anatasio Dominguez and Silvestre Velez de Escalante, as they passed through the area in 1776. On their journey to find a route from the missions of Santa Fe, N.M., to California, they discovered the river and called it “Rio de Nuestra Senora de las Dolores” or the River of Our Lady of Sorrows.

That history is celebrated every August with Escalante Days, a small-town celebration packed with fun.

Although Dolores was platted and developed in 1892, incorporation didn’t occur until July 7, 1900.

The Rio Grande Southern Railroad was an important part of the area, connecting Durango, Mancos, Dolores, Rico, Telluride and Ridgway. It was used to haul lumber from McPhee, Glencoe and other sawmills. It was also used to transport ore from the mines, livestock, fruit, cream, honey and other products to distant markets.

4 activities to enjoy while in Dolores

1. Visit the Rio Grande Southern Depot Museum. Located at 421 Railroad Ave. (970-882-7082), the museum is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also home to the Galloping Goose Historical Society and the Galloping Goose No. 5, a gasoline-powered rail car that operated in the area until 1952.

2. Stroll the River Trail. A good place to start is at Joe Rowell Park; the trail runs along side the Dolores River.

3. Find the black goat. A solitary black goat has lived on the hillside at the entrance of Dolores for over a decade and residents and visi-tors alike enjoy spotting this beast. But it is a challenge. If you want to try your hand at spotting the goat, park in the parking lot of the Sec-ond Chance thrift store and look above the Fire Department and in the rocks. The goat is often napping in one of the caves.

4. Visit the Anasazi Heritage Center. A treasure trove of artifacts, mostly excavated before McPhee Reservoir was built, can be viewed at the center. The Center is open year round and is located at 27501 High-way 184, just outside Dolores 970-882-5600.

Dolores: a summer oasis

The Dolores River Trail

Imagine if everyone in our co-op made one small change. Now, stop

imagining. Fl ip a switch. Seal some cracks. Screw in a CFL. Instal l a

programmable thermostat and actually program it . Doesn’t take a lot of

energy to save energy. But i t sure pays off . For al l 12,053 of us. What can

you do? Find out how the l i t t le changes add up at TogetherWeSave.com.

TOGETHERWESAVE.COM

One smallchange

x 12, 053

EMPIRE ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC. 801 N. Broadway, Cortez, CO 81321970-565-4444 OR 800-709-372www.eea.coop

2012 guide.indd 1 4/5/2012 5:32:19 PM

Staying Home Planning a Trip Visiting The Area Passing Through

Let Us Help YOU With YOUR Summer Projects

YOUR Full Service Hardware and Lumber Store

237 W. Main - Slavens Corner • 565-8571 Open Mon-Sat 7:30 - 6:30 • Sunday 9-5

Shop 24/7 at TrueValue.com

S Slavens Corner

Lind

en S

t

Map

le S

t.

Main Street U.S. Hwy 160

N


11523 Hwy. 145, Cortezwww.sanjuangems.com

970-565-9854

BOARDING • GROOMING TRAINING • PET SUPPLIES

Dennis & Kelli Spruell970-564-1385

Open 8-5 Monday-Friday8-10 & 3-4 Saturday

8-9 & 3-4 Sunday6815 Highway 160

Cortez, Colorado 81321

Mancos: Where the old west meets the newBy Jeanne archamBeault

Mancos Times

Mancos was incorporated in 1894; then in 1895, an ordinance was passed against fast riding and driving. It was almost a daily occurrence at the time for several young men of the area to ride

through town as fast as their horses would carry them. Ladies crossing the streets complained that their lives were endangered by these young horse racers.

By 1904, a water system, electric lights and a telephone service had begun. A new bridge was built across the river in 1905, and an ordi-nance was passed prohibiting livestock from being turned loose to roam in the town.

By 1909, cement sidewalks had been installed around much of the business section, and hitching racks were removed when the cement went in. A few iron rings were put in the sidewalks at various locations for folks to tie their horses while shopping.

Mancos is home to art galleries, parks, restaurants, a natural food store and lodging possibilities.

If your tendency is to relax at a park in town, Boyle Park, directly be-hind town hall, offers a children’s playground, restrooms, a paved walk-ing path, a softball field and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view of the picturesque surroundings. Cottonwood Park, located on Spruce Street, has a beautiful walking path along the Mancos River.

For recreation and camping, Transfer Recreation Area and Camp-ground is 12 miles northeast of Mancos. (From Mancos, you take Colo-rado Highway 184 north for .25 miles, then turn east on the West Man-

cos Road, and follow the signs. The road is paved part of the way, and the rest has a good gravel surface.) The campground has 12 sites with some sites suitable for medium-sized recreational vehicles. The Majes-tic Dude Ranch can be found on the same road — just turn left on Road N.

Further down the road is Mancos State Park, with camping sites for recreational vehicles and tents. Jackson Gulch Reservoir is close by, with boating opportunities. Chicken Creek Trail follows the creek down to Jackson Gulch Reservoir. Local outfitters offer horseback rides in the San Juan Mountains and hiking trails can be found in many places.

There are a number of community events annually in Man-cos. There is music, art, drama and just plain fun. The La Plata Paw is in February, a fun dogsled race that is northeast of Mancos; the Millwood Follies in March raises money for a local cause, and the Mancos Melt brings out locals for bed races and a miniature golf tournament; the annual Farmers Market every Thursday eve-ning in Boyle Park begins in June and goes through September. Our own Mancos Colorado Days is in July which features a Queen’s tea, parade and a softball tournament; and September is a busy month with the Mesa Verde Country/Mancos Valley Balloon Festival and the Sugar Pine Ranch Motorcycle Rally. The whole month of December is an exciting time with holiday events and celebrations.

Mancos High School was the first high school in Montezuma County (built in 1909) and is the oldest continuously operating high school in Colorado.

Mancos Balloon Festival/photo courtesy Dave McDarby

201 E. Railroad Ave. Mancos, CO

(970) 533-7728

COXYour 1 stop shop

COnvEniEnCE stORE• Picnic • Snacks • Drinks

• Husqvarna • Chain Saws• Roto Tillers • Weed Trimmers

FiSHing & HunTing• Licensing • Fishing Tackle

• gas • Oil • Tires • Tire Repair • Misc Auto Supplies

sERviCE stAtiOn

COMPLeTe SALeS & SeRviCe


By Michael MareshCortez Journal

Montezuma County is as rural as they come with farming and agriculture still the main staples of the local economy.

The county as seen a population increase of a little more than 7 percent over the last 10 years. There are now 25,535 Montezuma County residents, up from 23,830 a decade ago.

County Assessor Mark Vanderpool said there is currently 363,628 acres of agricultural land in Montezuma County, which is divided into five different areas: 19,060 acres for sprinkler irrigated farm land, 31,844 acres for irrigated flood farm land, 65.503 acres for dry farms, 20,857 acres for meadow grazing and 226,364 acres for dry grazing.

Tom Hooten, director of the Montezuma County Extension Office, said ranching and agriculture by far is what drives the local economy.

The top produced crop in Montezuma County is hay and alfalfa. Wheat is next with dryland beans coming in a distant third.

Hooten said the total acreage of the entire county is 1.32 million and more than half of that (704,000 acres) is used for farming and ranching.

He defined the 704,000 acres as the total land for all farming and ranching, not just agriculture for crops and plants.

He said these figures show that the county is not getting away from its western roots of farming, ranching and agriculture.

Even with agriculture remaining a staple of the county, Hooten said the number of agriculture land has decreased slightly in recent years.

He said numerous agriculture land owners have sold their farms to developers when real estate prices were still lucrative.

“We may have slowed down due to the recession and the real estate

market,” Hooten said in referring to people keeping and working their land rather than selling.

According to figures from the 2010 census, the average size of a farm in Montezuma County was 988, acres and the acreage value of agricul-tural products sold per farm was $17,516.

The average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland is $156.41 and the average farm expenses is $22,555.

The average age of a farm operator is 56, and more than 93 percent of the farms in the county are operated either by an individual or a family.

According to the census figures, there were 1,147 harvested acres for wheat with 14 harvested acres for vegetables and 263 acres in orchards.

The census figures also showed 34 percent of the county is urban and 66 percent is rural with the median age being 38.

The dry landscape needs water for the agriculture industry to sur-vive. The parched land is irrigated by water mostly from McPhee Res-ervoir to the north of Cortez. The massive reservoir, second largest in Colorado, was constructed to provide a giant source of water for the agriculture lands of Montezuma and Dolores counties. The McPhee dam was completed in 1984 and it took two years for the Dolores River to fill the reservoir.

The most common industries in the county are construction at 26 percent with both educational services and agriculture, forestry, fish-ing and hunting providing 6 percent of the workforce.

There are several communities in Montezuma County. Cortez, Do-lores and Mancos, Pleasant View and the Ute Mountain Ute reserva-tion town of Towaoc are the main areas.

Nearby Dolores County is home to Dove Creek and Rico.

Montezuma County remains an agriculture center

A list of some of Montezuma County’s popular events fol-lows. For a complete list of current events in Montezuma County, visit the Cortez Jour-nal’s website, www.cortez-journal.com.

MAY-JUNEMay 26-June 3 — The 12th Annual Mesa Verde Country Indian Arts & Culture Festival will be held in the Cortez area. The festival pro-vides a chance for visitors to explore and experience the wide va-riety of Native American culture available in Southwest Colorado. A juried Indian Art Market, a rug auction, pueblo dances, concerts, and special archaeological tours and exhibits are some of the high-lights of the festival that takes place in various locations throughout Mesa Verde Country. For more information, visit the festival web-site at www.mesaverdecountry.com/tourism/festivals/iacf/iacf.html, or contact Mesa Verde Country at 970-565-8227 or 800-530-2998.

JUNEJune 1-4 — The 124th Annual Ute Mountain Bear Dance & Pow Wow will be held in Towaoc. The festivities will highlight the tradi-tion and culture of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. For more informa-tion, call 970-565-8800 ext. 237 or visit www.utemountaincasino.com.

June 2 — The Dolores River Festival will be held in Joe Rowell Park, Colorado Highway 145, Dolores. This event is family oriented and features live music, fun runs, kayak races, raft races, a river parade and much more. For more information, visit the festival’s website at www.doloresriverfestival.com or call 970-882-4780.

June 7-9 — The 84th Annual Ute Mountain Round-Up PRCA Rodeo will be held at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, 30100 Colorado Highway 160, east of Cortez. Along with professional rodeo events, the Round-Up features a parade down Main Street on June 8, carni-val and midway, and other activities in Cortez. For more informa-tion, visit www.utemountainroundup.org or call 970-565-1000.

JULYJuly 1 — Fourth of July celebration, including fireworks display, at the Ute Mountain Casino, 11 miles south of Cortez in Towaoc. For more information, call 565-8800 ext. 237.

July 4 — Fourth of July festivities will be held throughout the day in several towns and locations. Fireworks will take place in Cortez at Parque de Vida, in Mancos at Boyle Park, and in Dolores at Dolo-res Town Food & Fireworks. Rico and Dove Creek are also famous for their 4th of July parades and celebrations. For more information, contact the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce at 970-565-3414, the Mancos Valley Chamber at 970-533-7434, or the Dolores Cham-ber at 970-882-4018.

July 4 — The third Annual Cortez Burst Triathlon offers fun for the whole family. This event welcomes all ability levels and is held at the Cortez Municipal Pool, to benefit the Leopard Sharks Swim Team and Friends of the Rec Center Scholarship Fund. For more in-formation, visit www.corteztri.weebly.com.

July 27-29 — The 54th Annual Mancos Days is held the fourth week-end in July at various locations in Mancos. The weekend includes a reunion of Mancos Valley residents, parade, games, a dance, ven-dors and more. For more information, contact the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce at 970-533-7434, 970-533-7725, or visit www.mancosvalley.com.

AUGUSTAug. 1-4 — The Montezuma County Fair will be held at the Mont-ezuma County Fairgrounds, 30100 U.S. Highway 160, east of Cortez. For the full schedule of events, visit the website at www.montezu-macountyfair.com or call the Colorado State University Extension Office at 970-565-3123.

Aug. 3-5 — Cortez Rendezvous Hot Air Balloon Rally will be held in Parque de Vida, corner of Mildred and Empire. Balloons will depart from the park in the early morning hours. A balloon glow will be held at the Ute Mountain Casino, 11 miles south of Cortez in Towa-oc. For more information, call 505-977-2679.

Aug. 10-11 — The 2012 Escalante Days will be held the second weekend in August in Flanders Park, located just off Colorado High-way 145, in Dolores. Escalante Days features local artisans, food, and an annual softball tournament and mountain bike race. For more information, contact the Dolores Chamber of Commerce at 970-882-4018.

Aug. 10-11 — Galloping Goose Days will be held at the Dolores Depot and Flanders Park, 420 Central Ave., Dolores. The event will celebrate the historic Galloping Goose and Rio Grande Southern Railroad. For more information, call 970-882-7082.

Aug. 11 — The George Geer Memorial Car Show will be held in Centennial Park, corner of Montezuma Avenue and Park Street in Cortez. The show will feature hot rods to roadsters, a preregistration party, food, entertainment, handcrafted trophies and a beautiful hot rod run to Native American ruins. The show benefits the Blue Star Moms. For more information, call 970-565-0770.

Aug. 18 — Krazy Daze Block Party will offer music, and food down-town, along with Cortez Cash sales, Krazy retail sales and business promotions throughout Cortez. For more information, call 970-564-4095 or 970-565-1151.

Events Calendar

Cortez Burst Traithlon

Mancos Days



Aug. 20 — U.S. Pro Cycling Race passes through towns of Mancos and Dolores. The first stage of the race begins in Durango and ends in Telluride.

Aug. 24 — 10th annual Mesa Verde Coun-try Winemakers Dinner features a gour-met 4-course dinner, accompanied by appropriate Colorado wines. The event takes place in Montezuma County. For more information, visit www.mesaver-decountry.com, or call 970-565-8227 or 800-530-2998.

Aug. 25 — The 10th annual Mesa Verde Country Food, Wine and Art Festival will take place at City Park in Cortez. The event features the work of many local artists, musicians and wineries. For more information, includ-ing ticket information, visit the website at www.me-saverdecountry.com/tourism/festivals/winefest/winefest.html or call 565-8227 or 800-530-2998.

AUGUST-SEPTEMBERAug. 30-Sept. 3 — The Fifth Annual Sugar Pine Ranch Motorcy-cle Rally will be held Labor Day Weekend at Sugar Pine Ranch, located three miles north of Mancos on Colorado Highway 184. The five-day traditional motorcycle rally features on-site camp-ing, headliner concerts, bike games, vendors, and a beer tent. For more information, visit the website at www.sugarpineran-chrally.com, call 970-882-2456, or contact Joyce Humiston at 970-799-0933.

Aug. 30-Sept. 3 — Four Corners Biker Association Events will also take place during the week of the motorcycle rally. For more information, check out www.fourcornersbikerevents.com.

SEPTEMBERSept. 8 — Third Annual Bike & Hike on Wetherill Mesa. Hike or bike the Wetherill Mesa Tram Road at Mesa Verde National Park. Call 970-529-4465 for more information.

Sept. 8 — The 14th annual Harvest Beer Festival, an event hosted by the Montezuma Land Conser-vancy, includes samplings from regional brew-eries, a silent auction and live music. For more information, call 970-565-1664 or visit www.mon-tezumaland.org.

Sept. 8-9 — American Red Cross Benefit Disc Golf Tournament welcomes all ability levels at the beautiful 126-acre Centennial Park for two days of disc golf to benefit the Southwest Colorado Chap-ter of the American Red Cross. For more informa-tion, go to www.swcoloradoredcross.org.

Sept. 15 — Harvest Celebration in Dolores with the Galloping Goose, vendors and more. Contact the Dolores Chamber at 882-4018 for more.

Sept. 22 — Third Annual Bike & Hike on Weth-erill Mesa. Hike or bike the Weth-erill Mesa Tram Road at Mesa Verde National Park. Call 970-529-4465 for more information.

Sept. 28-30 — The Mancos Valley-Mesa Verde Country Balloon and Art Festival will be held in various loca-tions in Mancos. The festival will feature mass ascensions each morning, balloon glows, fiesta dinner, art shows, car shows, wine tastings and other fun activities. For more information, call 970-560-0203, or contact the Mancos Valley Chamber at 970-533-7434 or [email protected].

Sept. 25-30 — The Southwest Traders Ren-dezvous and Navajo Rug Auction will be help at the Cortez Culture Center. The Rendezvous

is an opportunity to meet traders to the Navajo and experience their lives and stories. For more information, contact the Cortez Cultural Center at 970-565-1151.

OCTOBEROct. 5-6 — Bring It To Market: Heritage Harvest Festival cele-brates our agricultural heritage with cider-making, a corn roast, recipe swap, taffy pull, and lectures from local farmers. At the Cortez Cultural Center at 25 N. Market St. For more information, call 970-565-1151.

Oct. 27 — The Cortez Cultural Center Pumpkin Festival will be held at the Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. The festival will in-clude a variety of fall-themed games and activities, including a costume contest and treat parade, hay rides, and music. For more information, call 970-565-1151.

Dolores River Festival

Events Calendar

Mesa Verde Country Indian Arts and Culture Festival.

“The Way to Mesa Verde

National Park”

645 East Main • Cortez, Colorado 81321970-565-3453

Toll Free 1-877-515-8454

www.anethlodge.com


The Cortez Visitors Center is one of only 12 official Colorado Welcome Centers in the state of Colorado. Friendly volunteers provide personal attention and

make this an excellent stop for information when visiting Southwest Colorado, which is considered the archaeologi-cal center of the United States. In addition, the welcome center houses a small collection of ancestral Puebloan ar-tifacts.

■ WHY STOP: Mesa Verde Museum Association Bookstore, free coffee, WiFi and computer/Internet access, museum, local phone calls, picnic sites, rest area, RV parking

■ WHEN TO STOP: Open daily: Memorial Day to Labor Day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Labor Day to Memorial Day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on major holidays

■ INFORMATION AVAILABLE: Relocation guides, restau-rant guides, weather and road condition updates and more than 650 different free publications about attractions in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona

■ CONTACT: email: [email protected]; Phone: (970)565-4048

Check out the Visitors Center

970-533-7338 Jct. of Hwy 160 & Main, Mancos, Colorado Just 7 miles East of Mesa Verde Park Entrance

We Accept Visa and MasterCard

25 Item Salad Bar Sandwiches

Vegetarian Entrees Fresh Fish Daily

Pasta Specials Fettuccine Alfredo Chicken Specials

BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs Blackened Catfish Pork Tenderloin Jumbo Shrimp Crab & Lobster

Prime Rib each Saturday

Steak Diane Steak Au Poivre

STEAKS... New York Strip

Rib eye Filet

Top Sirloin

A Sampling of our Dinner Options...

Homemade Desserts & Homemade Ice Creams

Open for Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a WeekLunch - 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Late Lunch (Limited Menu) - 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.Dinner - 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Full Bar and Complete Wine List- Outdoor Patio Dining -

Seafood Buffet Every Friday NightAll you can Eat

“Best Seafood in these parts...”- Los Angeles Times 1986, 1990

Featuring: Shrimp, Oysters on the Half Shell, Fresh Grilled and Baked Fish, to name a few...

- Established 1978 - 34 years of excellence in

the Four Corners area


Around Cortez • Around Cortez • Around CortezCortez offers a variety of parks and features for visitors

Swimming pool: The Cortez Municipal Aquatics Complex is lo-cated at 803 E. Montezuma Avenue (near the Cortez Welcome Center). The facility is open to the public seven days and fea-tures an Olympic-sized pool, a 125-foot double loop water slide, diving board, tube slides and a new splash pad. (970) 565.7877.

RecReation centeR: The Cortez Recreation Center is located at 425 Roger Smith Avenue. Amenities include an exercise equipment, indoor gymnasium, racquet-ball courts, walking/running track, exercise equipment, climbing wall, indoor lap pool, lazy river, water slide, chil-dren’s water play area and locker rooms with showers. Con-tact: (970) 564-4080

paRk complex: A large group of Cortez parks are near Mon-tezuma Avenue and Mildred Road and Main Street and Mil-dred. The parks are City Park (near the Visitors Center), Centennial Park (near the library) and Parque De Vida (near the recreation center). The parks have a variety of picnic areas, trails, playground equipment and more.

DiSc golf couRSe: An 18-hole disc golf course is located in Centennial Park near the library.

Skate paRk anD Bmx: Parque De Vida also has a skate park and a BMX track. The skate park is at the southern edge of the park and the BMX track is at the northeast edge of the park.

liBRaRy: The Cortez Public Library is located at 202 N. Park Street. The library has 28 comput-ers with Internet access for visitors. Contact: (970) 565-8117

Dog paRk: The dog park is on the east side of Cortez off Highway 160, east of Denny Lake. The dog park offers residents a large fenced area where dogs can play and run without a leash on. The hours of the dog park are sun up to sun down. Denny Lake Park has a playground, restrooms, picnic shelter and mile-long nature path that allows visitors to walk around the lake and view an array of wild birds. The park is not part of the dog park.

For more information and a complete list of parks and trails go to www.cityof-cortez.com/government/parks_recreation.

Journal/Sam GreenNacho enjoys a romp at the Cortez Dog Park while his owner, Lonnie Long watches.

Journal/ Sam Green

Children enjoy the bucket dump at the Cortez pool splash pad.

Journal/ Sam GreenKurt Lampkin, known as the Friz Wiz, kneels down to putt under a tree in the Red Cross Disc Golf Tournament at Centennial Park in Cortez.


SteaksWe Offer Hand Cut Steaks

Grilled to Perfection!Tender & Juicy, Seasoned with our own blend of seasoning.

Your choice of cut

• Sirloin • New York Strip • Rib Eye• Buffalo • Sirloin Tips

• Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon

Every Thursday is

Prime Rib Night

Locally Raised Elk Burgers &

Country Fried Steak

• Chicken Parmesan

• Sizzlin’ Fajitas

• Fresh Seafood

• Surf & Turf

• Vegetarian Options

Serving Lunch & DinnerOpen 7 Days a week@11am

5 South Veach • Cortez565-6560

Visit our Bakery

for Homemade

Desserts &

PastriesLocal Wine

& Microbrews

Children’s Menu

10 & under


NEED CASH QUICK?If so, visit our convenient drive-up ATM

located at 2258 East Main in Cortez.Visiting our area and need cash quick? Our convenient drive-up ATM is open 24 hours a day, 7days a week. At First National Bank, Cortez we’re here when you need us...even on Saturdays!

Your Bank....Face to Face

Drive-Thru HoursMonday thru Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Saturday 9 am - Noon

Lobby HoursMonday thru Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm



The center has a gift shop focused on goods rep-

resenting Southwestern cultures, made by local

artisans; a museum representing the past and

present of the Cortez area; an art gallery with new exhib-

its monthly featuring local artists; a classroom, kitchen,

art studio, and darkroom that are available for use by

members of the public; and a dance plaza/outdoor per-

formance space located in the heart of downtown Cor-

tez (25 N. Market Street). The center has lectures, mu-

sic, plays, art exhibits, and much more year-round. The

Cultural Center also manages the Hawkins Preserve, a

122-acre natural and cultural preserve open to the pub-

lic year-round. The center is a nonprofit organization.

For more information and upcoming events at the Cul-

tural Center call (970) 565-1151 or go to www.cortezcul-

turalcenter.org.

Cortez Cultural Center

The Hawkins Preserve is a 122-acre tract of land within the southern city limits of Cortez. The quaint envi-

ronmental setting has a trail system with several short trails. There are scenic overlooks, native vegetation,

fascinating slickrock and geology areas and a section of ancient ruins.

Directions: Take Main Street to South Broadway (Highway 491); turn left on W. Seventh Street then right onto S.

Oak Street, then right onto Verde Vu, follow the signs. The parking area, which closes at dusk, is through the gate.

Hawkins Preserve — a hidden treasure

The Ultimate

Indulgence!

215 S. Sligo #5 • Cortez • (970) 565-2725Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 10:00 pm


Pizza &

Suds

Pizza &

Suds

SubsClassic Meatball - Meatballs with our delicious Italian sauce.

Italian Sausage - Classic Italian sausage, peppers, onions, mozzarella cheese and our delicious Italian sauce.

Philly Cheese Steak - Tender sirloin beef smothered with onions, mushrooms, peppers and mozzarella cheese.

Spicy Italian Chicken Melt - Seasoned grilled chicken topped with Parmesan, mozzarella cheese and Italian sauce.

Hot Ham and Cheese - Sliced ham piled high with mozzarella or swiss cheese.

SaladsRiverfront House Salad - Salad greens, onions, tomato, cucumber, cheese, croutons.

Caesar Salad - Romaine, Parmesan cheese, bacon bits, onion, croutons, topped with creamy caesar dressing.

Build your own toppings: Cucumber, tomato, onion, bacon bits, mushrooms, bell pepper, cheddar cheese, artichoke hearts, croutons, carrots.

Special toppings: Ham, roast beef, grilled chicken.

Salad Dressings: Ranch, Italian, Vinegar & Oil, Blue Cheese, French.

970-882-4007 Enjoy Dining In or

Call Ahead for Carry Out Lunch & Dinner • Special Events, Banquets

CalzoneChoose from: Meatballs, Pepperoni or Italian

Sausage. Additional toppings available.

Specialty Pizzas:“The Redburn” - Creamy white sauce, grilled chicken,

mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, spinach.

“ The Riverfront” - Creamy white sauce, green chilies, red onion, mozzarella cheese, choice of meat topping.

Beautiful Open Patio Dining

1319 Railroad Ave., Dolores, CO 81323

Bread Sticks & Chicken WingsLightly topped w/ Cheese, Garlic Butter or Cinnamon.

Beverages: Fountain Drinks, Iced Tea, Lemonade, Beer & Wine.

PIZZA TOPPINGSPepperoni, Sausage, Mushrooms, Canadian Bacon,

Grilled Chicken, Black Olives, Pineapple,Sun-dried Tomato, Bell Peppers, Onion, Green Chiles

Build Your OwnPizzaOn The RiverOn The River


Communities

Recreation

Archaeology

History/Culture

Dining

Lodging

McPhee Reservoir is locat-ed north of Cortez and is the second largest man-

made body of water in Colorado. It was constructed and is operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Dolores Project, and dams the Dolores River to furnish irrigation water for Montezuma and Dolores counties and the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation.

ABOUT McPHEE: More infor-mation from the National Recre-ation Service and Dolores Lands Office follows:

McPhee Reservoir is named for McPhee, Colo., a company town founded by the New Mexico Lum-ber Co. that is now submerged under the reservoir. In 1927, the McPhee sawmill produced more than half of Colorado’s lumber. The town housed up to 1,500 employees. The sawmill closed in 1946.

ACCESS: The lake can be accessed from near Dolores by Colorado Highways 145 and 184, and offers various boat-launching facilities, picnic areas, and campgrounds in the McPhee Recreation Area operated by the U.S. For-est Service. The lake fills the lower end of the Dolores Valley, with the dam completed in 1985 across Dolores Canyon.

MULTI-USE: McPhee Reservoir offers a wide variety of experiences, from shoreline fishing, to water skiing, to flat water canoeing. There are 50 miles of shoreline and the lake is stocked with both warm and cold water

species, including trout, bass, crappie, blue gill, salmon and catfish. Colorado state boating and fishing regulations apply on McPhee Reservoir.

The boat ramp at McPhee is a six-lane concrete structure with parking that can accommodate 150 cars and boat trailers. There are limited services at the ramp. There is no gas available, so come prepared. A fish cleaning station is available near the ramp, as well as two courtesy docks.

CAMPING: McPhee Recre-ation Site features several camp-ing areas.

Fun at McPhee Reservoir

Water skiing on McPhee

McPhee Reservoir


M O R E M c P H E E I N F O R M AT I O N

For more information on McPhee Reservoir

and Recreation Site, contact the Dolores Public

Lands Office, 29211 Highway 184, Dolores, CO

81323, 970-882-7296.

McPhee boat ramp


GroundHog

Call 970.739.5533 or visit us on the web at www.groundhoglake.com

• RV Electric Sites • RV Full Hookup Sites• Lakeside Camping • Showers • Hunting & Fishing Supplies • Cabin Rentals • RV Dump Station • Convenience & Liquor Store

Located 35 miles North of Dolores, Colorado

The Rico Hotel A Beautifully Restored

Mining Era Hotel and

Fine Dining Restaurant 124 S. Hwy 145, Rico, CO.

Chef Eamonn O’hara

Lunch Mon-Sat 12-2

Sunday Brunch 9-2Nightly

Earlybird Dinner5-6 p,m.

$16.oo entrees

Featuring Charming Rooms

Inviting Great Room, Outdoor Hot Tub

Reservations & Information www.ricohotel .com 970-967-3000

Weddings • Reherarsal Dinners Bridal Luncheons •Family Reunions Birthdays Parties • Holiday Parties

Business MeetingsIntroducing our new Private Dining Area

Located 45 minutes from Mesa Verde National Park

on the scenic San Juan Skyway

Southwest Colorado is home to white water rafting, boating and kayaking opportunities.

The lower Dolores River includes a stretch of water through Slickrock Canyon that has Class III and IV rapids. Kayakers and rafters, of any experience, can get the thrills they’re seeking at legendary Snaggletooth Rapid (Class IV). One can also sit back and take in the beauty of Anasazi petroglyphs engraved in the sandstone cliffs that tower over each bank.

n First stretch of rafting and kayaking the lower Dolores River is 47 miles at Bradfield Bridge near Cahone down to Slickrock. Second stretch is 50 miles through Slickrock Canyon. Third stretch is 45 miles through Hanging Flume Canyon. Final stretch is 38 miles through Lower Gateway Canyon to Deway Bridge at the Colorado River in Utah.

n At McPhee Reservoir, the second biggest reservoir in Colorado, power boats of any size are allowed. People can water ski, wake board and fish, among many activi-ties McPhee has to offer.

n McPhee main boat ramp: Located off Colorado Highway 184.

n House Creek boat ramp: Accessed through the town of Dolores on Forest Road 526.

n Mancos State Park is home to the 10,000 acre-foot Jackson Gulch Reservoir. The one boat ramp allows, power boats, ca-noes and kayaks on a popular destination for much of the warm Southwest Colorado season.

n Boats must be registered first at Mancos State Park or at the Dolores State Parks and Recreation office.

Fun on the water

If you’re looking for a rush, look no further.

www.nateshats.comwww.indianhatcompany.com

107 W. Grand Ave. Mancos, Colorado

970.533.9740

Fine Custom Handmade Hatsconstructedon vintage equipmentusing centuries-old craftsmanship

Welcome To Mancos!

Have a Happy & Safe Visit

Monday - Friday 8-6 Saturday 9-4449 Railroad • Mancos, CO

533-7713

2 ASE Certified Mechanics

Used Cars

FO

R AUTO DESPAIR

Used CarsForeign & Domestic 4 corners ‘unofficial’ Jeep Dealer!

We Have U-HaUL TrUcks


Montezuma County offers state parks and wildlife areas for resi-dents and visitors to enjoy. Visitors to state parks should keep in mind that there is typically a fee, and access to any state wildlife

area requires a habitat stamp, available at any fishing and hunting license retailer.State parks and wildlife areas in and near Montezuma County follow:

n Mancos State Park — Take U.S. Highway 160 east from Cortez 16 miles to Mancos. Turn north on Colorado Highway 184 for 0.25 miles, take County Road 42 east approximately four miles to County Road N, and then take Road N west 0.5 miles to the park entrance; daily park pass is $6 per vehicle; park offers camping, fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The park can be reached at 970-533-7065 or 970-882-2213. For complete in-formation about Mancos State Park, including additional contact infor-mation, visit the park’s website, http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Mancos.n Dolores River State Wildlife Area — Five miles northeast of Dolores on Colorado Highway 145; 64 acres in Montezuma County; no facilities; hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.n Fish Creek State Wildlife Area — 12 miles north of Dolores on Highway 145 to Forest Road 535, then 12 miles north to Fish Creek access road; 314 acres in Dolores County; no facilities; camping, fishing, hunting during deer and elk seasons; hiking and wildlife viewing.n Groundhog State Wildlife Area — 25 miles north of Dolores; take For-est Road 265 to Forest Road 533, then five miles northeast; 614 acres in Dolores County; campsites, restrooms, boat ramp, fishing and wildlife viewing.n Joe Moore State Wildlife Area — Four miles northwest of Mancos on

Highway 184, then north on County Road 40; 121 acres in Montezuma County; restrooms, campsites, boat ramp, hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.n Lone Dome State Wildlife Area — 21 miles north of Cortez on Colorado Highway 491, one mile east on County Road 16, three miles north to ac-cess road, then 1.5 miles east to Bradfield Bridge; 1,662 acres in Montezu-ma County; campgrounds, hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing. n Narraguinnep State Wildlife Area — 11 miles northwest of Cortez; take U.S. Highway 491 to Highway 184, then two miles east; 566 acres in Mon-tezuma County; restrooms, boat ramp, hunting, fishing, boating, water skiing, wildlife viewing.n Summit Reservoir State Wildlife Area — Nine miles northwest of Man-cos on Highway 184; 526 acres in Montezuma County; restrooms, boat ramp, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing. n Totten State Wildlife Area — Three miles east of Cortez off Highway 160, one mile north on County Road 29; 244 acres in Montezuma County; restrooms and boat ramp, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing.n Lone Mesa State Park — 23 miles north of Dolores. Currently closed to the general public while development and management planning is in progress. Special-use permits are available for hunting and grazing, and opportunities exist for volunteers and special service projects. For more information, contact the Dolores Visitors Center at 882-2213.

For more information about state parks, visit Colorado State Parks, http://parks.state.co.us. For more information about state wildlife ar-eas, visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife, www.wildlife.state.co.us; click on Land/Water at the top of the home page then click on State Wildlife Areas.

Many of our menu items can be modified to fit your dietary needs. Don’t hesitate to ask your server any questions, and please tell us about your restrictions. GF — Gluten-free option available upon request V — Vegetarian option available upon request

Welcome to Pepperhead!“Pepperhead” is the term for someone who’s obsessed with chile peppers, and the founders are true pepperheads. The chile that arrives on your plate is the highest quality possible, because we roast all of our own green chile ourselves and team up with the best producers for our red.

Pepperhead is a locally-owned business, and we do our best to source ingredients locally. We’re also working to be environmentally friendly, using recycled and biodegradable products and eliminating waste, which is why our sodas are fountain only and our beers are draft only. All of our carry out cartons, cups, silverware and bags are made from renewable resources and are 100% biodegradable. Questions about our philosophy? Ask us!

44 West Main Street Cortez, CO

81321 • 970-565-3303www.pepperheadcortez.com


Equipment Sales, Gun Rentals & Repair • Rentals from $10 • Repairs • Paint • Bottles Filled (C02 & Air HPA) • Specials on Paintballs & Guns • First Time Paintballer special$19.95 • Gift Certificates Available • 3 Fields Available for Play • Field Fee is only $ 5.00

Pinion Flats Camp Paintball

Field and Store

Events/DayPlay/Birthdays/Party’s17921 Road 25

Dolores, Colorado970-739-4662

www.pinionflats.com

Tippmann, Spyder, Empire, JT, BT

Call or Come ByTo ScheduleYour Event!

Award Winning Foods

of the Southwest!

- Since 1981 -

Just 2 1/2 miles South of Cortez

7268 U.S. Hwy 160-491Behind

G-Whil-Liquors

(970)[email protected]


Conquistador Golf Course offers 18 holes of pristine bluegrass fairway sur-rounded by wondrous views of the varied Colorado landscape.

The enjoyable, yet challenging, city owned par-72, championship style course, can leave golfers satisfied, frustrated or plain confused. One thing is for certain, the scenery is outstanding with the La Plata Mountains to the east, the Colorado Mesa to the south and the iconic Sleeping Ute Mountain to the southwest.

One happy customer is Steve Habel, writer for cybergolf.com, who traveled to 151 courses throughout the world. Habel compiled his top 5 and ranked Conquistador No. 3, as the “best municipal course.”

Conquistador offers typical amenities with a putting green, chipping green, water hazards and sand traps. But it also offers PGA club mem-ber pro, Micah Rudosky. Whether one is looking for a few tips or hopes to elevate their game to the next level through lessons, the professional can help. People can find Rudosky managing the Conquistador Golf Course Pro Shop with his wife, Annette.

If people want to get away and relax, then head south for nine relax-ing holes.

south forty Golf Course is a family-owned, self-service course with a driving range on 48 acres.

The par-3 journey sends golfers by water hazards, sagebrush, swamps and sand, while being overlooked by Sleeping Ute Mountain.

All 48 acres used to be a dairy farm. Bruce and Nancy Maness own South Forty, and Bruce, piece by piece, one step at a time, completed the driv-ing range in 1996. The nine-hole course opened in 2007. The course has been featured on PBS. This summer, Larry Aylward, the editorial director of Superintendent Golf Magazine, is showing interest in writing an article about Bruce Ma-ness and will visit the course.

The Manesses still manage and maintain South Forty today. And, to-day, golfers can still get nine relaxing holes in.

Golf Courses CONqUIStAdOR GOLF COURSe ■ Rates: 18 holes (Monday-Thursday),

$22; nine holes (Mon-Thu), $15; 18 holes (Friday-Sunday), $28; nine holes (Fri-Sun), $18; and, juniors (17U), $15 (all day).

■ Location: 2018 N. dolores Road on Colorado Highway 145.

■ Contact and information: 970-565-9208, www.fourcornersgolf.com.

SOUtH FORty GOLF COURSe ■ Rates: $10 a round (self-service). ■ Location: 25500 County Road H.

From main street, take Maple Street south for four blocks. Go west to Oak Street to County Road H. turn east on Road H to the South Forty Golf Course.

■ Contact and information: 970-565-3501, www.southfortygolf.com.

Golf course facts

When people say, an area “has it all,” that’s no joke about fishing in Southwest Colorado.

Lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers are within minutes. People are literally a short drive or hike away from trophy trout, bass and catfish.

Whether it’s fly fishing, bait fishing or lure fishing, anglers can set a hook of any style and skill.

McPhee Reservoir, located near Dolores, harbors brown and rainbow trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye and channel catfish among many others. Live baits, lures and artificial flies can catch all these fish species. A person can take to McPhee with a boat on Colorado’s sec-ond largest artificial body of water, and troll the depths or cast a line along the tall limestone cliffs. Southwest Bassmasters holds bass tourney’s ev-ery year. But ultimately, there is also plenty of shoreline for anglers to cast, too.

The water that feeds McPhee is the Dolores River. This fishery provides great opportunity for hooking monster trout. Guided trips on the upper

and lower portions of the Dolores River are provided by local outfitters. Anglers can still go it alone through the quaint town of Dolores, which is part of the upper stretch. Below McPhee Dam is a renown stretch of the lower Dolores.

Mancos State Park provides a family friendly fishing atmosphere at Jackson Gulch Reservoir. A daily fee of $7 is required. The nearby Summit Reservoir off of Colorado Highway 184 houses large trout. It’s the Mancos River that fills up Jackson Gulch, before making its way through the town of Mancos, 17 miles east of Cortez on U.S. 160. Spinner and flies are popu-lar on the Mancos River.

Totten Reservoir, located at County Road 29 four miles outside Cortez, is prime for large and smallmouth bass. Folks can float tube or boat the small reservoir.

Narraguinnep Reservoir is much smaller than McPhee, but compares in the quality of bass and walleye fishing. It’s located off CO 184 near Lew-is.

A Colorado fishing license is required for those 16 and older.

Gone

fishing


■ Colorado fishing license: Required to those 16-and-older for fishing, and taking fish, amphibians and crustaceans in Colorado.

■ McPhee Reservoir: Second largest reservoir in Colorado. Hosts bass tournaments, has two boat ramps.

■ Fishing supplies and licenses: Walmart, Shooters World and Slavens True Value Hardware.

■ Fishing outfitters: Circle K Guest & Dude Ranch, Dolores, 970-562-3826 or 800-477-6381, or www.ckranch.com.

FISHInG InFO

Dove Creek

SUPERETTEOPEN

24 HOURSOPEN

7 DAYS

YOUR ONE STOP HEADQUARTERS FOR :• licenses • laundry • gas/diesel

• deli • propane • sporting goods

• groceries • & MORE!

WELCOMEVISITORS

4 4 5 H W Y 4 9 1 - D o v e C r e e k , C o9 7 0 - 6 7 7 - 2 3 3 6

CHICKENTO GO


There are more than 500 miles of mountain bike trails in the area. From service roads to

singletrack, and from desert terrain to trails that weave through pon-derosa pines, the area offers some-thing for every mountain biker.

PHIL’S WORLD: A mountain-biking gem is located just four miles east of Cortez off Highway 160, with more than 28 miles of rolling trails that wind through desert terrain lined with juniper and sagebrush. The expansive sys-tem offers trails for all abilities.

Phil’s World has been featured in national bicycling magazines. It was also ranked second in popu-larity for rides on the Western Slope of Colorado on the website Mountain Bike Review.

BOGGY DRAW: Located 15 miles north, the Boggy Draw trail system offers a stark contrast to Phil’s World. There are long, lei-surely rides through mountain pines that can take riders out to scenic views of McPhee Reservoir and the Dolores River Valley.

The Boggy Draw trail network is best ridden in the summer months and can be accessed by taking County Road 31 up the mountain-side from Dolores and turning east on County Road W to the trailhead just past the cattle guard.

CANYON OF THE ANCIENTS: This area offers a more rugged, arid mountain bike experience.

Located 15 miles west of Cortez on County Road G, the area is dotted with ancient Ancestral Puebloan ruins, high mesas, and winding canyons cut deep into the sand-stone. Due to the dry climate of the area, it is rideable nearly year-round.

Trail maps are available at the Cortez bicycle shop Kokopelli Bike and Board at 130 W. Main Street.

A mountain-biking haven

In late August, there will be a rare and unique opportunity to witness a bicycling spectacle like none other.For decades, Europeans have lined roadways to watch professional cy-clists zip by, climb mountain passes and sprint for finish lines.Now, several years since cycling legend Lance Armstrong (seven-time winner of the Tour de France) retired, the popularity of the sport in the U.S. is experiencing another surge.Now in its second year, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge will weave its way through Colorado with some of the top cyclists in the world com-peting.The first stage of the race, on Monday, Aug. 20, goes from Durango to Telluride with riders racing through the towns of Mancos and Dolo-res. The massive group of cyclists, which average more than 30 mph at times, is a truly special sight to behold. For all the information on the race go to www.usaprocyclingchal-lenge.com.

Professional cycling race


Communities

Recreation

Archaeology

History/Culture

Dining

LodgingWHAT IS IT?: The Anasazi Heritage Center is a museum dedicated to

the Ancestral Puebloan — also called Anasazi — culture, as well as other Native cultures represented in the Four Corners region.

GREAT STARTING POINT: The center is the starting point for visitors wanting to learn more about and explore Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.

ABOUT THE CENTER: The Anasazi Heritage Center is Southwest Colo-rado’s premier archaeological museum, operated by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management since 1988.

The museum features permanent displays on the Ancestral Puebloan people and on the techniques that allow modern archaeologists to reveal the past. Many of the exhibits are hands-on and interactive.

Along with permanent displays, the museum also hosts special exhibits and events throughout the year.

The museum manages a collection of about 3 million items. There are two archaeological sites on the center’s grounds, the Escalante

Pueblo and the Dominguez Pueblo, both easily accessible to visitors.The center also has a picnic area and half-mile nature trail; a museum

shop is operated by the Canyonlands Natural History Association.The center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March through October, and

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through February. Admission fees are $3 for adults March through October; youths 17 and under are free, as are all school groups. There is no admission fee November through February.

GETTING THERE: The Anasazi Heritage Center is located at 27501 Colo. Highway 184, northwest of Dolores. To reach the center, turn north on Highway 184 at the intersection with Colorado Highway 145.

The center can be contacted at 970-882-5600. For complete information about the Anasazi Heritage Center, including additional contact informa-tion go to www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ahc.html.

Anasazi Heritage Center

WHAT IS IT?: Canyons of the Ancients National Monument contains the highest known density of archaeological sites in the United States — more than 6,000 recorded so far, representing Ancestral Puebloan and other Native American cultures. The outer boundaries of the area en-compass approximately 183,000 acres, approximately 164,000 acres of which are in federal ownership and man-aged by the U.S. Bureau of Land Manage-ment.

HOW TO GET THERE: Canyons of the Ancients is accessible from various points along the Trail of the Ancients. Dove Creek, Cahone, Pleasant View, Yellow Jacket and Cortez are all access points in Colorado. Bluff, Blanding, Montezuma Creek and Aneth are access points in Utah. Part of the byway, County Road 10, from Pleasant View (off High-way 491), goes into the heart of the park. Reach County Road 10 by turning west on County Road CC at Pleasant View and traveling about five miles.

FIRST STOP: Before visiting Can-yons of the Ancients, it is recommended you stop at the Anasazi Heritage Center, 27501 Colorado Highway 184 (10 miles north of Cortez and three miles northwest of Dolores; turn north at the intersection of Colorado High-ways 145 and 184 and travel for several miles) for orientation, a map and update on current conditions. For more information, call the center at 970-882-5600.

ABOUT CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS: Information from the BLM: Canyons of the Ancients holds evidence of cultures and tradi-tions spanning thousands of years.

Canyons of the Ancients was designated as a national monument in June 2000. This has been a focal point for archaeological interest

for more than 125 years. Archaeo-logical and historic objects such as cliff dwellings, villages, great kivas, shrines, sacred springs, agricul-tural fields, check dams, reservoirs, rock art sites and sweat lodges are spread across the landscape. More than 5,000 of these archaeologically important sites have been recorded, and thousands more await docu-mentation and study. There are no campgrounds in the Canyons of the Ancients. Primitive camping is al-lowed in most areas, but vehicles must not travel off-road.

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Most roads in the monument are primitive, un-

paved, four-wheel-drive routes. Motorized travel is restricted to

existing roads only. Mountain bikes are allowed only on trails desig-nated for their use.

FOLLOW THE RULES: Touching the rock art will transfer the oils from your hands to the rock and the art will fade away. Do not dig in the sites. It is illegal to remove artifacts from the sites.

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Escalante Ruins above the Anasazi Heritage Center.

Canyon of the Ancients ruin in Sand Canyon.

DOLORES FURNITURE & GIFTS

DOLORES LAUNDROMAT

Complete

Laundromat

Faci l i t ies

Heavy Duty

Washers & Dryers

Avai lable

310 Railroad Ave. Dolores • Colorado • (970) 882-4130

D o l o r e s S o u v e n i r s & T- S h i r t s

• M a t t r e s s S e t s

B e d d i n g & B l a n k e t s

F u r n i t u r e


Available at newsstands near you!

Enjoy your stay in Southwest Colorado

Catch up on all the local news in the Cortez Journal

WHAT IS IT?: The Ute Mountain Tribal Park, located on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, offers visitors a unique experience of ancient Native culture and life.

The park, operated by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, encompass-es approximately 125,000 acres of ruins and archaeological trea-sures, exhibited in a simple, undeveloped way. The park contains a number of cliff dwellings and petroglyph sites, and it is one of only nine sites in the United States selected by National Geograph-ic Traveler as one of “80 World Destinations for Travel in the 21st Century.”

ABOUT THE PARK: Visitors to the Ute Mountain Tribal Park must be accompanied by a Native American Ute tour guide. Guides interpret Ute history, Ute pictographs, geological land for-mations, and Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs, artifacts and dwell-ings.

Half-day tours will visit Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs, scenic lands, Ute pictograph panels, geological land formations and sur-face sites. All sites on the half-day tour are within a short walking distance of the gravel road.

Full-day trips include a three-mile walk on unpaved trails and a climb on five ladders to visit four well-preserved canyon cliff dwellings in Lion Canyon.

A round-trip drive on gravel and dirt roads from the Tribal Park Visitor’s Center is 80 miles for the full-day tour and 40 miles for the half-day tour.

No water or food is available in the park, but water and soft drinks are available for purchase at the Tribal Park Visitor Center/

Museum.BE PREPARED: Bring plenty of drinking water, lunch for the

all-day trip, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat and sturdy hiking shoes; and have a full tank of gasoline.

No dogs or professional photography is allowed. Please inform the tour guide of possible health problems.

Check-in time is 8:30 a.m., and departure is at 9 a.m. Tours be-gin at the visitor center/museum 20 miles south of Cortez at the intersection of U.S. Highways 160 and 491.

Contact the park for special tours and additional pricing infor-mation.

CONTACT INFO: The Ute Mountain Tribal Park headquarters can be reached at 970-749-1452. For complete information about Ute Mountain Tribal Park, including additional contact informa-tion, visit the park’s website, www.utemountainute.com/tribal-park.

Ute Mountain Tribal ParkSelected by National

Geographic Traveler as one of “80 World Destinations for

Travel in the 21st Century.”

Cortezwww.mesaverdecountry.com

18-hole golf course ● sand volleyball courts ● picnic areas ● amphitheater and gazebos ● tennis courts ● baseball fields ● softball complex ● basketball courts ● skate park ● playgrounds ● fishing ● canoeing ● dog park ● hiking ● biking ● 18-hole disc golf course ● driving range ● putting green ● outdoor swimming pool ● 125-double loop water slide ● 46,000 square-foot recreation center ● indoor competition lap pool ● indoor family pool ● 145-foot long enclosed tube slide ● indoor climbing wall ● 8,036 square-foot gymnasium ● cardiovascular and weight-lifting equipment ● indoor track ● racquetball courts ● fitness classes ● outdoor rock climbing and bouldering ● archaeological sites ● birding ● nature watching ● BMX track

You can find it all in the city, with 300 acres of parks, trails and open space:

...City of Cortez



Visitors to Mesa Verde National Park have end-less options to create a

trip tailored to personal inter-ests and individual schedules. From a quick, half-day visit to a week-long exploration, Mesa Verde provides educational and adventurous activities for every visitor hoping to visit the sto-ried ruins of the famous park.

At least four hours are rec-ommended for a quick visit to the park with a good part of that including traveling time on the winding road from the park’s entrance to the visitors center and back.

Tours and sites at Mesa Verde can be separated into the standard, more visited loca-tions and the more raw experi-ence, which will take more time but will be worth the visit.

A basic visit can include a stop at the Far View Visitors Center, where a number of in-teractive displays are available and provide educational infor-mation on the history, explora-tion and excavation and con-struction of the park, a visit to the park’s museum and a tour of Spruce Tree House or Cliff Pal-ace two of the park’s most popu-lar cliff dwellings. Cliff Palace alone contained 150 rooms and 23 kivas with a population of ap-proximately 100 people, according to the park’s website.

For a more comprehensive experience, visitors can participate in a number of ranger-led and self-guided tours and hik-ing trails, visit Long House on Wetherill Mesa or take a self-guided tour of Step House.

Tours of the cliff dwellings involve hikes along maintained trails, some of which are steep in places. Some tours include ladder climbs. Visitors are en-couraged to learn the details of tours be-fore embarking and be aware of personal limitations. Rangers highly recommend

packing snacks and plenty of water for a visit to the park. The summer climate can be warm and arid and water is not always readily available.

Regardless of tour options or length of stay, a visit to Mesa Verde National Park offers a unique experience among the na-tional parks in the United States.

“It is a great opportunity to see the works of early man in this area and ob-serve how a sophisticated society operat-ed,” said Park Superintendent Cliff Spen-cer. “That is why this place is so special. There is a great lesson to be learned here about how people in that era lived togeth-

er and how they managed their lives in this climate and area. It is a great vacation and great way to learn about history and prehistory.”

n Mesa Verde National Park is some-what isolated, but does provide some amenities for visitors. The park offers eat-eries, some of which are only open sea-sonally. The Spruce Tree Terrace Restau-rant and Shop is open year-round, and is located near the park’s museum. For fine dining, the Metate Room offers a great al-ternative to a cafeteria-style meal.

n Lodging at Mesa Verde consists of the Far View Lodge, open from May until No-

vember, and the Morefield Campground, open from early may to early October, starting at $20 per night, per campsite.

Park entrance fees vary from $10 to $15 for private vehicles and from $5 to $8 for individuals on noncommercial buses or motorcycles. The higher rates include the summer season from May 24 to Sept. 7, but all passes are good for seven days.

n For more information, call the park’s headquarters at 970-529-4465 or visit www.nps.gov/meve. For lodging, camp-ground or dining reservations, call ARA-MARK, the park’s concessionaire, at 800-449-2288.

n More than 500,000 visitors annuallyn 5,000 known archeological sites including 600 cliff

dwellingsn The dwellings were home to the Ancestral Puebloans

who lived in the area for more than 700 years, from roughly A.D. 550 to 1300

n 5 cliff dwellings are open for general tours; 2 cliff dwellings open to hiking tours

n 11 maintained hiking trails (over 20 miles)n Four mesa top archaeological sites open to visitors

n Room counts: Cliff Palace, 150; Long House, 150; Spruce Tree House, 130; Balcony House, 40

n 90 percent of the park’s dwellings contain10 rooms or less

n The park was created in 1906 by PresidentTheodore Roosevelt, to protect some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the world, or as he said, “preserve the works of man”

n Mesa Verde means green plateaun Mesa Verde National Park elevations range

from about 6,000 to 8,572 feet

M e s a V e r d e F a s t F a c t s

Personalize your trip


vember, and the Morefield Campground, open from early may to early October, starting at $20 per night, per campsite.

Park entrance fees vary from $10 to $15 for private vehicles and from $5 to $8 for individuals on noncommercial buses or motorcycles. The higher rates include the summer season from May 24 to Sept. 7, but all passes are good for seven days.

n For more information, call the park’s headquarters at 970-529-4465 or visit www.nps.gov/meve. For lodging, camp-ground or dining reservations, call ARA-MARK, the park’s concessionaire, at 800-449-2288.

Though the thought of a visit to Mesa Verde National Park may conjure up images of well-known Cliff Palace and Spruce Tree House, park insiders caution visitors

not to forget quiet corners of the park often overlooked by the typical vacation itinerary.

“I think everyone here has their own favorite piece of the park,” said park spokeswoman Betty Lieurance, who has worked at the park for 13 years. “Everyone has had that mo-ment in a little-visited place where they have been just over-whelmed by this place.”

Sue Johnson-Erner, chief of concessions at the park and a 30-year park employee, encourages every visitor to the park to take time for a trip to Wetherill Mesa. A longer drive from the park entrance, the mesa is often overlooked due to the lack of “big” cliff dwellings but that perception has created a less crowded experience for those wanting to take in the beauty of the surroundings as well as the archaeology.

“The mesa is just beautiful,” said Johnson-Erner, who was married on Wetherill Mesa. “It isn’t as heavily visited and you can have quiet visits you can’t have other places.”

Some of the best memo-ries from a day spent at the park won’t necessarily come in the more high-profile sites. Though trips into the famous cliff dwellings aren’t to be missed, Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer has personal experience with moments of wonder coming in little unex-pected ways at Mesa Verde.

“The best moment I’ve had in the park is taking a hike from the Morefield campground up to Point Lookout,” Spencer said. “It was on a Sunday morning and I started at about 7 a.m. I got up to the top of the Point Lookout and it was just me. Complete solitude. The skies were clear and the views were spectacular and it was a nice quiet way to bring in the morning. It was my favorite moment here. This place will surprise you with moments like that when you don’t expect it.”

The lesson to be learned is clear. Visit the cliff dwellings and spend time in the museums, but don’t forget to seek out the quiet side of Mesa Verde. You may find your own magic moment.

Insider Information

Towering cliffs and stunning vistas provide the backdrop of Mesa Verde National Park, but it is the celebration of a rich history and cultural context that draws visitors to the unique features of the

park year after year.Established as a national park in 1906 to “preserve the works of

man,” Mesa Verde National Park offers a glimpse into a way of life long eclipsed by the modern age. The park is famous for the pic-turesque cliff dwellings nestled in alcoves throughout wind-ing canyons. The dwellings were home to the Ancestral Puebloans who lived in the area for more than 700 years, from roughly A.D. 550 to 1300, according to the park’s web-site.

In the past century, Mesa Verde has become a premier ar-cheological site dedicated to the preservation of cultural and natural resources. The park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1978 by the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization.

The hallmark site at Mesa Verde is Cliff Palace, which was first explored in 1888 by Richard Wetherill and Charlie Ma-son, two local ranchers searching for lost cattle in the can-yons. The first major excavation of the park took place in 1891 by a crew led by Baron Gustaf E. A. Nordenskiold, considered to be the first scientist to visit the park.

Though the park was created in the early 1900s, it wasn’t until the 1930s and ’40s that work began on creating a place to be enjoyed by the general public. Workers with the Civilian Conservation Corps built many of the trails, roads and park buildings still in use at the park.

Today, the park is host to over 500,000 visitors annually. Rangers lead tours through sites with such compelling names as Cliff Palace, Spruce Tree, Long House and Balcony House.

Take the opportunity to step into the cool darkness of a kiva, used for ceremonies for hundred of years. Clamber up wooden ladders, rungs worn smooth by the many feet and hands that have come before. Visit the cliff dwellings and listen to the whispers of lives and stories long past that echo through the alcoves.

A visit to Mesa Verde is far more than simply an opportunity to check another national park off a list of places to visit. The park offers a chance to travel back in time and touch the past in a place where the remnants of history still stand.

Snapshot of Mesa Verde?

n Room counts: Cliff Palace, 150; Long House, 150; Spruce Tree House, 130; Balcony House, 40

n 90 percent of the park’s dwellings contain10 rooms or less

n The park was created in 1906 by PresidentTheodore Roosevelt, to protect some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the world, or as he said, “preserve the works of man”

n Mesa Verde means green plateaun Mesa Verde National Park elevations range

from about 6,000 to 8,572 feet

M e s a V e r d e F a s t F a c t s

Personalize your tripstories by kimberly benedict

[email protected]

• Ground Passenger Transportation• Courier & Delivery Services• HCBS / Medicaid Transportation

Transportation for Southwest Colorado


Hours and Tour Schedule - May 25 to Sept. 3, 2012

FACILITIESChapin MesaChapin Mesa Archeological Museum - 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.Spruce Tree Terrace - Open

Far ViewFar View Visitor Center - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.Far View Terrace - OpenFar View Lodge - Open

Morefield Morefield Campground -

OpenMorefield Ranger Station - Open (closes early/mid Au-gust - tour tickets sold from 5 to 8:30 p.m.)

CLIFF DWELLINGSChapin MesaSpruce Tree House, self-guid-ed - 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.-Ranger-guided tours - 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.Balcony House (ticket re-quired) - tours every half hour, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Cliff Palace Tours (ticket re-quired) - tours every half hour,

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.Preservation work on Cliff Pal-ace may be required this sum-mer and tour schedule disrup-tions are possible

Wetherill MesaLong House Tours (ticket re-quired) - 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.Step House, self-guided - 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

BACK COUNTRY HIKESMug House - 10 a.m. Wednes-day, Friday, Sunday

Square Tower House - 8 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, SaturdayWetherill Mesa Experience - 10 a.m. Wednesday and Sun-day Sept. 5 to Oct. 3

EVENING PROGRAMSMorefield Campground Eve-ning Program - 9 p.m.Far View Lodge Evening Pro-gram - 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thurs-day, Friday and Saturday (June 12 to Sept. 8)Twilight Tours in Cliff Palace - 7:15 p.m. (May 25 to Aug. 18); 7 p.m. (Aug. 19 to Sept. 3); 6:45 p.m. (Sept. 4-15)

M e s a V e r d e T o u r s

A new Mesa Verde National Park Visitor’s Center will be completed later in 2012 with a soft opening scheduled for November, and a grand opening planned for May 2013.

The $12 million 23,000 square-foot center will be at the base of the road to Mesa Verde near Highway 160. Visitors will be able to buy tour tickets, browse for gifts and books, as well as see exhibits and view workers as they prepare ar-tifacts.

New Visitors Center

Courtesy Photo/Gene Peck – This artist’s rendering shows the newvisitors center planned for the entrance at Mesa Verde National Park.

Hwy 145 Dolores • 882-3434Largest Supply of

Tackle, Bait, Lures, &

Fishing Accessories IN THE AREA

Open 7 days • 6am to 9pm

Check Out Our Fly Shop

• Bait • Fishing Tackle • Gas • Diesel • Lottery Tickets • Fishing & Hunting Licenses

• Snacks• Cold Drinks• Ice• Groceries• Movie Rentals

410 N. Beech St. • Mancos, Co.533-7961 or 882-2276

Open Monday - Saturday • 10 am - 5 pmLook for us on buzztown.com


WHAT IS IT?: Hovenweep National Monument is an archaeological pres-ervation site located northwest of Cortez, along the border between Utah and Colorado.

Distinct from most national monuments in its vast size and isolation, Hov-enweep stretches across mesa tops and canyon rims, protecting the history of the Ancestral Pueblo Indians — also called the Anasazi — who inhabited the area more than 700 years ago.

ABOUT HOVENWEEP: Hovenweep National Monument protects six pre-historic, Puebloan-era villages spread over a 20-mile expanse. Multi-storied towers perched on canyon rims and balanced on boulders lead visitors to mar-vel at the skill and motivation of their builders.

The Square Tower Group is the primary contact facility, with a visitor center, campground and interpretive trail.

The name “Hovenweep” is a Paiute/Ute word meaning “Deserted Valley” that was adopted by pioneer photographer William Henry Jackson in 1874. On March 2, 1923, President Warren G. Harding proclaimed Hovenweep a unit of the National Park System.

Visitors to Hovenweep enjoy short hikes, natural quiet and some of the finest examples of Ancestral Puebloan architecture in the Southwest. The trail system

provides access to each of the cultural site units. All units are open to the public, but most are in remote locations and can be dif-ficult to reach.

IF YOU GO : Hovenweep is open year-round with the visitor center open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April through September, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year. The center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Entrance fees are $3 for individuals and $6 for vehicles. All federal lands passes are issued and accepted at Hovenweep.

HOW TO GET THERE: To reach Hovenweep National Monument from Cortez, follow U.S. Highway 491 north and turn west on County Road BB about one mile south of Pleasant View. Follow Road BB west about six miles and turn south on County Road 10. Follow Road 10 about 15 miles as it meanders southwest toward Hovenweep. Watch for signs to the monument.

For more information, call the visitors information number, 970-562-4282, or visit www.nps.gov/hove.

Hovenweep National Monument

Unbelievably Priced Native Art

Not just your shipping store We Got... Unique Gift Bags, Casserole Carriers

& Scented Trivets

404 West Main Street • Cortez, CO • (970) 565-6266Mon & Fri 9am - 5:30pm • Tue-Wed-Thu 9am - 7pm • Saturday 9am - 2pm

ANEM HIPPINGS NEXT TOSILVER

BEAN

Home Made Quality Crafts


WHAT IS IT?: Yucca House National Monument, located south of Cortez, is a large, unexcavated Ances-tral Puebloan surface site.

Differing from most archaeological sites in the area due to its largely unexcavated state, Yucca House of-fers visitors a raw look at the history and culture of the Ancestral Puebloans — also called the Anasazi — who inhabited the area more than 700 years ago.

ABOUT YUCCA HOUSE: Yucca House is one of the largest archaeological sites in Southwest Colorado, and acted as an important community center for the Ancestral Puebloan people from A.D. 1150-1300. The long-term preservation of Yucca House ensures that archaeologists will be able to continue studying Ancestral Puebloan society and what caused the people to migrate from the region in the late 1200s.

The modern Puebloans are the descendants of the people who built Yucca House. The name “Yucca House” was selected for the monu-ment because the Ute Indians called Sleeping Ute Mountain by a name meaning yucca — there is an abundance of the yucca plant growing on the mountainsides.

The site is now a cluster of mounds. Due to the large size and extent of the mounds, there is every reason to believe that, when excavated, they will prove of great archaeological interest and educational significance.

WHO SHOULD GO: The National Park Service does not recommend travel to this monument for the casual visitor. There are currently no fa-cilities at the monument. The dirt road to Yucca House is impassable in wet weather. The monument is under the supervision of the superinten-dent at Mesa Verde National Park.

There are no fees or reserva-tions associated with visiting Yucca House National Monu-ment. The site is open year round, weather permitting.

HOW TO GET THERE: To visit Yucca House Na-tional Monument, drive approximately eight miles south of Cortez on U.S. Highway 491 and turn west on County Road B. Drive 0.8 miles, crossing a paved road and take the next dirt road on the right before the farmhouse on the left. Follow this road north and west for 1.4 miles, head toward the white ranch house with the red roof on the west horizon. Please be courteous toward the private landowners and close all gates behind you as you enter to prevent livestock from escaping. Once at the ranch house, Yucca House National Monument is on the left side of the driveway. Yucca House information is available by calling 970-529-4465. For complete information about Yucca House, visit the monu-ment’s website, www.nps.gov/yuho.

Yucca House National Monument


Communities

Recreation

Archaeology

History/Culture

Dining

Lodging

By KimBerly BenedictCortez Journal

More than just a playground full of recreational op-portunities, Montezuma County is a land awash with rich history and cultural importance. A visit to

this unique location lends many opportunities to sink into a place where past and present culture meet in the shadow of Ute Mountain.

Modern and ancient Native American history blend to-gether here, with the Navajo and Ute Mountain Ute Indian reservations just south of Cortez and numerous archaeolog-ical sites and centers dedicated to the study of the Ancestral Puebloan people, the first to populate the area.

For a glimpse of the ancient past, pay a visit to the Anasazi Heritage Center, a national repository home to 5,148 boxes of artifacts, not including pottery and larger significant piec-es. Along with a research library and collection, the center features permanent exhibits highlighting local archaeology, history and Native American cultures.

The center is family friendly with hands-on exhibits, pro-grams designed for youths and adults alike and plenty of educational material to take home.

Along with educational opportunities, Montezuma Coun-ty also offers visitors a chance to see remnants of the past. Though Mesa Verde National Park is well known for its re-markable cliff dwellings and artifacts, visitors to the county will also relish a trip to the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, Lowry Pueblo and Hovenweep National Park.

The cultural contributions of Native Americans are on full display throughout the county during the summer, starting with the week-long Indian Arts and Culture Festival May 26 through June 4. Designed to incorporate many different components of archaeology, native American culture and the history of the West, the festival features a juried art mar-ket, Native American Dances, and Navajo rug seminar and auction. For more information, visit http://www.mesaverde-country.com/tourism/festivals/iacf/iacf.html.

Following the Indian Arts and Culture Festival, experi-ence the traditions of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe at the Ute Mountain Bear Dance and Pow Wow on June 1-4. Held as a time of celebration for the tribe, the dance originated when a man dreamed about a dancing bear who imparted words of wisdom and tradition. The dance is an important part of the Ute history and culture and takes place each spring in Towaoc, located 11 miles south Cortez. For more informa-tion, call 970-565-3751, ext. 672.

Throughout the summer, Native American dances and programs are featured at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., Cortez. Storytellers and musicians add to the outdoor performances, a draw for residents and visitors alike. The center is also home to a museum and art gallery with a number of Native American pieces.

Native American culture abounds

Communities

Recreation

Archaeology

History/Culture

Dining

Lodging

Columbine Co-op

Located in the Ponderosa Restaurant Open 7 Days • 882-7910

Come in and browse our unique handmade fashions, gorgeous jewelry, antiques, wooden toys,

collectables, dolls, quilts & stitchery.

A Special Collectionof

Hand Crafted ItemsBy

Colorado Artisans

A Special Collectionof

Hand Crafted ItemsBy

Colorado Artisans• Located on the Dolores River

• Quiet Comfortable Surroundings• Gateway to the Dolores River Valley

• Great Fishing & Hunting• Weekly and Monthly Rates

• RV Spaces & New Cabins, Furnished• Comfy Vintage Motel Rooms

1800 Central Ave (Hwy 145) • Dolores

882-7271 • WI-FIwww.doloreslodging.com

Cabins • RV Park


Sand Canyon is part of Can-yons of the Ancients National Monument and features An-

cestral Puebloan archaeological sites and the Sand Canyon Trail.

The site, located west of Cortez, gives visitors a variety of recre-ational opportunities.

ABOUT THE TRAIL: The Sand Canyon Trail is 6.5 miles (one-way) from Sand Canyon Pueblo down to the lower trailhead in McElmo Canyon. The trail is open to hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, but the upper section is steep and rugged — not recommended for bicycles. Part of the single-track dirt trail crosses slick rock marked with rock cairns. A vehicle shuttle is a good idea if you are going to hike the entire trail.

Near the McElmo Canyon trail-head, you can visit Castle Rock Pueblo surrounding the base of the large butte just beyond the parking area. Hike one or two miles up canyon to view several

small cliff dwellings. This area is not wheelchair accessible.

GETTING THERE: To reach the McElmo Canyon trailhead, head south of Cortez on U.S. Highway 491. Turn right (west) on County Road G at the signs for the air-

port and/or Hovenweep National Monument.

Go 12 miles on this paved road. Trailhead parking is an unim-proved slickrock surface on the north (right) side of the road.

No water, toilet, phone or other

services are available.FOR mORE INFORmATION:

contact the Anasazi Heritage Cen-ter at 970-882-5600 or visit the website at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nm/canm/blm-canm-visitor_information.html.

Hike into historic Sand Canyon

Sand Canyon

Walk-In Medical Care No Appointment Needed

Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.

Children Over 6 Months Seen

2095 North Dolores Road Highway 145, one mile north

of the 160/145 junction Across from the Elks Lodge

970-564-1037 No narcotics on the premises

Southwest Walk-In Care


As an area that has been inhabited for thousands of years, South-west Colorado has more than its fair share of history to share with visitors. Montezuma County and the surrounding areas

house a number of museums and exhibits where visitors can learn about the past. From ancient cultures to mining history, Southwest Colorado offers something for everyone.

Listed below are some of the area’s museums:

Anasazi Heritage Center — 27501 Colorado Highway 184, Dolores, west of the intersection of Colorado Highways 145 and 184. A federal museum and research center, the museum features permanent dis-plays on the Ancestral Puebloans. Many exhibits are hands-on and interactive. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March through October, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through February. Admission is $3 for adults. Federal Recreation Lands Passes are accepted. For more information, call 970-882-5600 or visit www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ahc.html.

Antiquities Encounter — 343 E. Main, Cortez. The museum fea-tures a large private collection of Egyptian and Phoenician artifacts. The exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The exhibit is available other times by appointment only. For more infor-mation, call 970-739-1183.

Cortez Cultural Center — 25 N. Market St., Cortez. The center’s museum features a variety of exhibits and collections focusing on Southwest Colorado cultural history. The Cultural Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, September through April; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday May 20 through August. For more information, call 970-565-1151 or visit www.cortezcultural-center.org.

Farmers Telephone Museum — 26077 U.S. Highway 491, Pleas-ant View. The museum collection includes artifacts, equipment and memorabilia from the original telephone company in the area, which was founded in 1920. The museum will be available for visitors by ap-pointment from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is no admission fee. For more information, call, 970-562-4211.

Galloping Goose Depot and Museum — 421 Railroad Ave., Do-lores. The museum’s displays illustrate the history of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, the unique mode of mountain travel known as the Galloping Goose, and the town of Dolores. The museum and gift shop are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday May 15 through Oct. 15, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday the remainder of the year. There is no admission fee. For more informa-tion, call 970-882-7082 or visit www.gallopinggoose5.com.

Mesa Verde Museum Association — located at Mesa Verde Na-tional Park. The association maintains a display of Native American artifacts as well as examples of significant plant and animal life and a number of dioramas. The exhibit is open during regular park hours. For more information, call 970-529-4445 or visit http://mesaverde.org.

Notah Dineh Trading Company and Museum — 345 W. Main St., Cortez. The trading company has a vast amount of Native American jewelry, and the museum features a large display of Native American art, including the largest known Two Grey Hills weaving. Among the items displayed are cradleboards, beaded headbands, pottery and fetishes. Notah Dineh is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 800-444-2024 or visit www.no-tahdineh.com.

The Rico Museum — 113 S. Glasgow Ave., Rico. Located in a fire-house built before the turn of the 20th century, the museum show-cases a collection of items from the history of one of Colorado’s oldest mining town. The museum is open periodically throughout the sum-mer. There is no admission fee. For more information, call 970-967-2162.

MuseuMs give view of past

Lunch: Everyday 11am - 4 pmDinner: Everyday 4 Pm - Close

4 varieties ofHandcrafted Beer

970-564-0242

• Appetizers • Sweet Delights

Along with a diverse menu we also offer a Dining Experience for the whole family!

1209 East Main st • CortEz, Co 81321

We accommodate large parties & buses!

www.jfargos.com

Family Dining &Micro Brewery

Featuring: Our Outstanding Smoked Ribs & Brisket, Chicken Wings, Roast Beef,Hand Cut Steaks & Home made pies!Espresso, Latte’s, Cappuccinos & Mochas

Patio Dining, Full bar Widescreen T.V.s.

Happy Hourw/Tapas

Daily 3-6PM

To Go Orders

Welcome



Sleeping Ute Mountain comprises a small mountain range, the Ute Mountains, on the northern edge of the Ute Mountain

Ute Reservation south of Cortez. Plainly vis-ible from most parts of Montezuma County, the Sleeping Ute has come to be a landmark for the area.

Towering over the reservation town of Towaoc, Sleeping Ute is part of Ute history and lore.

According to www.utemountainute.com, the Sleeping Ute was a Great Warrior God. He came to help fight against the Evil Ones who were causing trouble.

A tremendous battle between the Great Warrior God and the Evil Ones followed. As they stepped hard on the earth and braced themselves to fight, their feet pushed the land into mountains and valleys. This is how the land of the region came to be as it is today.

The Great Warrior God was hurt, so he lay down to rest and fell into

a deep sleep. The profile of the Great Warrior God can be seen in the shape of the moun-tain. The blood from his wound turned into living water for all creatures to drink.

When the fog or clouds settle over the Sleeping Warrior God, it is a sign that he is changing his blankets for the four seasons. When Utes see the light green blanket over their god, they know it is spring. The dark green blanket is summer, the yellow and red one is fall, and the white one is winter.

Native Americans believe that when the clouds gather on the highest peak, the Great Warrior God is pleased with his people and is

letting rain clouds slip from his pockets. They also believe that the Great Warrior God will rise again to help them in the fight against their enemies.

The outline of the Sleeping Ute is most prominent when viewed from the east. The peak of Ute Mountain is the crossed arms with the Great Warrior God’s head to the north and feet to the south.

The legend of the Sleeping Ute Mountain

The Four Corners Monument is the only place in the United States where four states intersect at one point: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. The Navajo Nation in-

cludes three of the four state corners; the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation has the Colorado corner. The majority of the Four Corners region is part of these semi-autonomous indigenous nations.

Colorado is the oldest of the four states, established Aug. 1, 1876. Utah followed on Jan. 4, 1896. New Mexico’s statehood was on Jan. 6, 1912, and Arizona followed on Feb. 14, 1912.

The United States first acquired the area from Mexico after the Mexican American War in 1848. The area was first surveyed by the U.S. government in 1868 as part of an effort to form the state of Colorado. The Four Corners was established as the jurisdic-tional boundary when the boundaries of the Arizona Territory were established. The first marker was placed at the spot in 1912, a simple cement pad.

Six governments have jurisdictional boundaries at the Four Corners: the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah

as well as the tribal governments of the Navajo Nation and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Other tribal nations within the Four Cor-ners region include Hopi and other Ute tribes.

OPEN YEAR-ROUND: The Four Corners Monument is ad-ministered by the Navajo Nation Department of Parks and Rec-reation. The visitors center is open year-round and features a demonstration center with Navajo artisans. Navajo vendors sell handmade jewelry, crafts and traditional Navajo foods nearby. The site is open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Admission for all ages is $3 per person.

BE PREPARED: Picnic tables and self-contained restrooms are available. Services and accommodations are limited. It is recommend that visitors have plenty of water, food, snacks, hand wipes and extra toiletries. The area is very remote, with no run-ning water, electricity or telephones.

Teec Nos Pos, Ariz., is the nearest community at approximate-ly six miles from the monument.

For more information, contact the Four Corners Park manager at 928-871-6647 or visit www.navajonationparks.org.

Where Four States Meet


Worship with Us!4 Corners Area Church Guide

Anglican Church of St. Philip the Evangelist 700 S. Market St., Cortez, CO 81321

Sunday Service: Christian Education, 9:45 AM, Worship 10:45 AM

Pastor: Fr. Carl Brenner Phone: Church: 565-1555, Pastor: 505-564-3910

“Biblical, positive, historic, relevant, warm and welcoming”

Baptist Chapel 1509 N. Dolores Hwy., Cortez, CO 81321 Sunday School 9:45 AM, Worship 11:00 AM,

Wednesday Night 7:00 PM Pastor’s Name: Mark Baker / Phone: 970-882-1433

“Small church with a lot of spirit.”

Dolores Southern Baptist Church 100 21st Street, Dolores, CO 81323

Sunday Bible Study 9:15 AM, Worship 10:30 AM, Wednesday 7 AM.

Pastor’s Name: Don Phillips / Phone: 970-882-3104 “A place for everyone.”

Cortez Vida En Victoria –

Cortez Spanish Four Square Church 500 N. Washington, Cortez, CO 81321 Domingos 1:00 PM, Miercoles 7:00 PM Pastor’s Name: Liliana & Stuart Hanold

Phone: 970-565-3709 “Servicios en Español e Iglesia para niños.”

Evangel Assembly of God

209 West 5th St – PO Box 1355, Cortez, CO 81321 Sundays: 9:30 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship

Service, 6:00 PM – Prayer Service Wednesdays: 7:00 PM Children, Youth and Adult –

classes for everyone. Pastor: Jeff McDonell / Phone: 970-565-4198

“Childcare available.”

First Baptist Church 100 N. Market, Cortez, CO 81321

Sunday School 9:15 AM, Morning Worship 10:45 AM Pastor: Rev. Vic Powell / Phone: 970-565-6555

“Family Friendly, A Bible Believing Church”

First Baptist Church 150 N. Walnut, Mancos, CO 81328

Sunday 10:45 AM, Wednesday 5:00 PM Pastor’s Name: Rick Gregory / Phone: 970-533-7634

“Come just as you are.”

First United Methodist Church 515 Park St., Cortez, CO 81321 Sunday 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM

Pastor: Rev. Tom Towns / Phone: 970-565-3002 “The church that gets things done.”

Foursquare Church – Cortez Family Worship Center 500 N. Washington, Cortez, CO 81321

Sunday’s 10:30 AM. Midweek Home Groups Pastor’s Name: Stuart and Liliana Hanold

Phone: 565-3709 “Ministries for men, women, youth, kids and nursery.”

Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church 105 N. 8th Street, Dolores, CO 81323

Sunday Worship at 9:15 AM Pastor’s Name: Rick Carpenter / Phone: 970-573-0335

“A friendly church where all are welcome!”

Montelores Baptist Church 18735 CR 23.5, Lewis, CO 81327

Sunday – Sunday School 10:00 AM, Worship 11:00 AM Pastor: Paul Gleason / Phone: 970-882-2418

“For more information: www.monteloresbaptistchurch.org

Presbyterian Church 350 S. Washington St., Cortez, CO 81321

Sundays 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Revs. Kim and Steve Nofel /Phone: 565-7024

“Come and worship the Lord with the people of God.”

Rico Community Presbyterian Church East of the Courthouse, Rico, CO 81332

Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. Pastor: Suzy Meyer

970-967-2463 – Church / 970-560-1407 – Pastor “Come worship God in the mountains with us.”

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church

Dolores, CO 81323 Mass: Saturday 4:30 PM

Pastor: Fr. Pat Valdez, C.R. / Phone: 970-565-7308

St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church 28 E. Montezuma, Cortez, CO 81321

Masses – Sunday 10:30 AM, 12:30 (Spanish), 5:00 PM Pastor: Fr. Pat Valdez, C.R. / Phone: 970-565-7308

St. Rita Catholic Church

Mancos, CO 81328 Mass: Sunday 8:30 AM

Pastor: Fr. Pat Valdez, C.R. / Phone: 970-565-7308

Summit Lake Community Church 36501 Highway 184, Mancos, CO 81328

Sunday worship 10:30 AM Pastor’s Name: Scott Christensen / Phone: 882-4144 “Expository preaching verse by verse thru the Bible.”

Trinity Lutheran Church and Preschool

208 N. Dolores Rd., Cortez, CO 81321 Sunday 9:00 a.m

Pastor: Rev Dr. Barr T. Chittick, Jr. / 970-560-2867 “A friendly, loving congregation & preschool proclaiming

the Love of Christ.”

Visitors Always Welcome


Communities

Recreation

Archaeology

History/Culture

Dining

LodgingAngel’s End Zone Sports Bar — 309 N. Broadway; 970-565-4022; full-service bar, entertainment; open 11 a.m. to closing Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to closing Saturday and Sunday; closed Monday.Antonio’s — 104 E. Main St.; 970-565-9066; authentic home-made Mexican food, steaks and a children’s menu with ham-burgers; open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.Arby’s — 504 S. Broadway; 970-565-1856; fast food restaurant serving roast beef sandwiches, market sandwiches, salads, subs and sides; open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.Beny’s Diner — 640 S. Broadway; 970-565-5337; family res-taurant, American and Mexican food; breakfast, lunch and dinner served all day; open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.Blondie’s Pub & Grub — 45 E. Main St.; 970-565-4015; wide variety of food served, including burgers and sandwiches, en-tertainment; open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.Burger Boy Drive-In — 400 E. Main St.; 970-565-7921; fast food restaurant serving American food, made fresh to order, including hamburgers, french fries; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday.Burger King — 520 W. Main St.; 970-564-0725; fast food res-taurant, offers hamburgers, fries, chicken, children’s menu; open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.Cold Stone Creamery/Rocky Mountain Chocolate Fac-tory — 215 S. Sligo No. 5; 970-565-2725; fresh made ice cream and chocolates; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday.Cortez Dairy Queen — 1127 E. Main St.; 970-565-9266; fast food restaurant serving a variety of ice cream treats, chicken dishes, burgers and sandwiches; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.Denny’s Diner — 2059 E. Main St.; 970-564-0832; wide variety of food, including a full breakfast menu available all day; open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.Domino’s Pizza — 2224 E. Main St.; 970-565-7373; delivery or take-out, pizza, chicken wings, breadsticks and more; open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday.Dry Dock Restaurant — 200 W. Main St.; 970-564-9404; family atmosphere offering a variety of dishes, including pas-ta, steak, seafood and salads; reservations are welcome; open seven days a week; bar opens at 3 p.m.; dining room open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bar opens at 3 p.m.El Grande Cafe — 28 E. Main St.; 970-565-9996; American and Mexican options, breakfast and lunch; open 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.El Burro Pancho Mexican Restaurant — 1430 E. Main St.; 970-565-4633; authentic Mexican food; open seven days a week

from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.Fiesta Mexicana Family Restaurant — 430 N. Colorado Highway 145; 970-565-4267; Mexican food, tacos, burritos, faji-tas, family dining; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant — 332 W. Main St.; 970-564-8423; traditional Chinese food; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.Hunan Chinese Restaurant — 2561 E. Main St.; 970-565-0919; traditional Chinese food, no MSG; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mon-day through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday; all you can eat buffet 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.Jack and Janelle’s Country Kitchen — 801 E. Main St.; 970-565-2572; homemade American food, buffet; 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.J. Fargo’s Family Dining and Micro Brewery — 1209 E. Main St.; 970-564-0242; variety of options, including wings, sal-ad, Southwestern, Asian, Mexican, American; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.KFC of Cortez — 2222 E. Main St.; 970-565-6228; fried chick-en, sandwiches, meals, catering; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.Koko’s Friendly Pub and Grill — 2121 E. Main St.; 970-565-6000; sandwiches, entrees, appetizers, cocktails, entertain-ment; 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.La Casita — 17 N. Harrison St.; 970-565-0223; authentic Mexi-can food; open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lunch is served from 11 to 3 p.m. and dinner is served from 3 p.m. to close.Let It Grow Coffee Roasters & Garden Cafe — 90 N. Mil-dred Road; 970-565-3099; cafe, sandwiches, smoothies, espres-so; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.Lotsa Pasta/That’za Pizza — 1020 S. Broadway; 970-564-9131; variety of pasta and pizza dishes, salads, appetizers; 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; additional hours throughout the summer. Closed Sunday and Monday.Main Street Brewery and Restaurant — 21 E. Main St.; 970-564-9112; variety of menu items, including burgers, sand-wiches, steaks and full bar; 11 a.m. until closing seven days a week.Mancos Pizza, Too — 1013 E. Main St.; 970-565-7222; custom pizzas, calzones, fresh sandwiches, salad bar, dine in, carry out, or take and bake; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.McDonald’s — 1322 E. Main St.; 970-565-6004; fast food, ham-burgers, french fries, chicken, salads, breakfast; 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.Mr. Happy’s Bakery and Cafe — 332 E. Main St.; 970-565-9869; breads, pies, pastries, variety of burgers, sandwiches and sides; 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.Nero’s Restaurant — 303 W. Main St.; 970-565-7366; classic Italian fare, steaks, seafood, nightly specials, reservations ac-cepted; 5 p.m. to closing seven days a week.

Ocean Pearl — 300 E. Main St.; 970-565-3888; extensive Chi-nese food menu, including traditional favorites and original house specialties. Large and varied selection of lunch specials. Dine in or take out; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thurs-day; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.Once Upon a Sandwich Eatery and Ice Cream Parlor — 7 W. Main St.; 970-565-8292; wide variety of food, including sandwiches, salads, burgers and ice cream; 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; additional hours throughout the summer.Pepperhead Restaurant — 44 W. Main St.; 970-565-3303; authentic Mexican food; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sat-urday; closed Sunday and Monday.Piccadilly Circus Pizza — 806 Broadway; 970-565-4301; pizza delivered to your location 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week. Available for pick-up 24 hours a day.Pippo’s Cafe — 100 W. Main St.; 970-565-6039; diner food, breakfast, sandwiches, burgers; 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week.Pizza Hut — 1119 E. Main St.; 970-565-4037; pizza, salads, pasta, lunch buffet, local delivery; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.San Juan Coffee Espresso Bar — Located inside north en-trance of City Market (Corner of Main and Harrison); 970-565-9010. Full selection of hot and cold drinks; open seven days a week; Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.Shiloh Steakhouse — 5 S. Veach, 970-565-6560; steaks, sea-food, salad, patio, reservations accepted; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.Silver Bean — 410 W. Main St.; 970-946-4404; coffee, smooth-ies, breakfast burritos, drive-through; 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon-day through Friday; 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday.Sonic Drive-In — 436 S. Broadway; 970-565-3102; drive-in ser-vice, burgers, fries, ice cream; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.Spruce Tree Coffeehouse and Wine Bar, Internet Cafe & Used Books — 318 E. Main, 970-565-6789; breakfast and lunch menu items, sandwiches, bagels, breakfast burritos, wraps, coffee, wine, entertainment; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.Stonefish Sushi and More — 16 W. Main St.; 970-565-9244; fine dining; all varieties of sushi, including Nigiri, Sashimi, Spe-cialty and Reggae rolls; wide variety of noodle bowls; full dinner entrees including chicken, beef and salmon. Lunch served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; dinner served 4:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Sat-urday. Closed Sunday.Subway — 1219 E. Main St.; 970-565-2412; variety of fresh, made-to-order sub sandwiches and salads; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.Subway at Walmart — 1835 E. Main St.; 970-564-8060; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.Taco Bell — 1300 E. Main St.; 970-565-7494; fast food, Mexican; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Restaurant Guide C O R T E Z

Communities

Recreation

Archaeology

History/Culture

Dining

Lodging

178 E. Frontage Rd., MancosCell: 560-2133

Office: 970-533-9100 ext. 14www.AndreaSellsColorado.com

Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated®

Claire lindus/Smart Zack Olena

RE/MAX MESA VERDE REALTY-MANCOS

Broker AssociateCRS, MRE, GRI, e-PRO

Andrea LindusCall Me...

or justplanningor just planning

Planning a big movePlanning a big move

Layne Lindus


Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant — 1740 E. Main St.; 970-565-6868; traditional Mexican food, some American menu items; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.The Farm — 18 E. Main St.; 970-565-3834; fresh, local and organ-ic salads and soups, free delivery; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.Ute Coffee Shop — 17 S. Broadway; 970-565-2650; homemade food, breakfast served all day, family style; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon-day through Saturday; 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.Wendy’s — 221 E. Main St.; 970-564-9241; fast food, hamburgers, fries, chicken, salads; 10 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

Dolores River Brewery — 100 S. Fourth; 970-882-4677; wood-fired pizzas, salads, calzones, variety of brews, entertainment; food 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Hollywood Bar & Cafe — 417 Central Ave.; 970-882-9998; sandwiches, hamburgers, steaks, seafood; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.Hunts’ Bar-B-Que — 206 Railroad Ave.; 970-882-2498; ribs, brisket, sausage, sandwiches, homemade potato salad and baked beans, take out only, catering available; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.Ponderosa Restaurant — 108 S. Eighth and Colorado High-way 145; 970-882-7910; family restaurant, breakfast, lunch, din-ner, steaks, salad bar, Mexican; 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.The Depot — 520 Railroad Ave. (Colorado Highway 145); 970-882-7500; full breakfast menu, hamburgers, fries, shakes, malts, Mexican food; 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Riverfront Pizza & Subs — 1319 Railroad Ave. 970-882-4007; Dining in or carry out. Pizza, calzones, subs, salads. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.The Rio Grande Southern Hotel — 101 S. Fifth; 970-882-2125; American and German cuisine; Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4 to 9 p.m.

Absolute Bakery and Cafe — 110 S. Main St.; 970-533-1200; breakfast and lunch, baked goods, espresso bar, also selling used books; open 7 a.m. daily, seven days a week.Arborena Wine Bar Cafe — 114 W. Grand Ave.; 970-533-1381; light fare, cheese platters, appetizers, soups and salads; 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Monday.Chavolo’s Mexican Restaurant — 121 Railroad Ave. Opening spring 2012.Columbine Bar — 123 W. Grand Ave.; 970-533-7397; pizza, brew, entertainment; 1 p.m. to close Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to close Saturday and Sunday.Echo Basin Ranch Restaurant (open Memorial week-end through Labor Day Weekend) — 43747 County Road M; turn-off from Highway 160 is two miles east of Mancos, then three miles north on Echo Basin Road; 970-533-7000; dinner served 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.Fahrenheit Coffee Roasters — 201 Grand Ave.; 970-533-7624; fair-trade coffee roasted on site, espresso, small break-fast and lunch menu, burritos, sandwiches, bakery items; 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Grand Avenue Cafe — 200 Grand Ave.; serving breakfast and lunch; Tuesday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.Hamburger Haven — 108 E. Grand Ave.; 970-533-7919; breakfast (Friday through Sunday only), lunch, dinner, ham-burgers, fries; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.The Mancos Pizza Company — 280 E. Frontage Road; 970-533-1390; pizza, salad bar; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Millwood Junction Restaurant — 101 W. Railroad Ave. (U.S. Highway 160); 970-533-7338; seafood, salad bar, pasta, ribs, steaks; lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; limited menu 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; dinner 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week.

d o l o r e s

m a n c o s

CortezAmerican Garden Inn2040 E. Main St. • 970-565-3738, 888-677-3738 americangardeninn.com

Aneth Lodge-Budget Six 645 E. Main St. • 970-565-3453, 877-515-8454anethlodge.com

Baymont Inn & Suites2321 E. Main St. • 970-565-3400baymontinn.com

Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites535 E. Main St. • 970-565-3778, 800-547-3376mesaverdebestwestern.com

Brunk Guest House3190 U.S. Highway 491/160970-565-8107, 970-799-1567brunkguesthouse.com

Cortez Mesa Verde Inn640 S. Broadway • 970-565-3773, 888-565-1027cortezmesaverdeinn.com

Cortez Mesa Verde KOA27432 E. U.S. Hwy 160 • 970-565-9301, 800-562-3901cortezkoa.com

Cortez Super 8505 E. Main St. • 970-565-8888, 800-800-8000

Days Inn of Cortez430 N State Highway 145 • 970-565-8577daysinn.com

Econo Lodge2020 E. Main St. • 970-565-3474, 800-424-6423choicehotels.com

Grizzly Roadhouse3450 U.S. Highway 160/491970-565-7738, 800-330-7286

Holiday Inn Express2121 E. Main St. • 970-565-6000, 800-626-5652coloradoholiday.com

Kelly Place Bed & Breakfast14537 County Rd. G • 970-565-3125, 800-745-4885kellyplace.com

Knights Inn 440 S. Broadway • 970-565-7778, 800-477-0629knightsinn.com/cortez

Rodeway Inn1120 E. Main St. • 970-565-3761, 800-4-CHOICErodewayinn.com/cortez

Sand Canyon Inn-National 9301 W. Main St. • 970-565-8562, 800-524-9999sandcanyon.com

Sleeping Ute Mountain Motel531 S. Broadway • 970-565-9352sleepingutemtnmotel.com

Sleeping Ute RV Park & Tents11 miles S of Cortez on Hwy 160/492, North side of casino • 970-565-6544utemountaincasino.com

The Jolly Rancher Cabin Rental12745 County Road 25 • 970-564-9101jollyrancher.com

Tomahawk Lodge728 S. Broadway • 970-565-8521, 800-643-7705angelfire.com/co2/tomahawk/

Price Range

$49-$89

$40-$85

$79-$199

$99-$149

$130.00

$55-$79

$32-$65

$45-$100

$69.99-$109.99

$69-$79.99

$85-$158

$117.99-$199.99

$95-$190

$52-$89

$49.99-$99

$32-$65

$49-up

$19-$25.30

$125.00

$49-$79

No. Rms./Units

41

30

150

77

1

84

144

58

72

70

2

100

11

41

50

28

20

90

4

37

Internet Access

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Hot Tubs

Y

N

Y

Y

N

Y

N

N

Y

N

N

Y

N

N

N

N

N

Y

Y

N

Kitch. Units

Y

N

N

N

Y

N

N

N

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

N

N

N

N

Y

N

Frig./Micro

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

Y/N

Y

Y

Y

Y

N/Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

Cont. Bkfst

Y

N

Y

Y

N

N

N

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

N

N

Pets

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

N

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Lodging



CortezUte Mountain Casino, Hotel & Resort11 mi. S of Cortez on Hwy 160/491 • 970-565-8837, 800-565-8837utemountaincasino.com

White Eagle Inn & Family Lodge 2110 S. Broadway • 970-565-3333, 800-659-4608whiteeagleinn.com

DoloresCircle K Ranch27758 Highway 145 • 970-562-3826, 800-477-6381 • ckranch.com

Dolores Mountain Inn701 Railroad Ave • 970-882-7203, 800-842-8113 • dminn.com

Dolores River RV and Cabins18680 Colorado Highway 145 • 970-882-7761, 800-200-2399

Fox Den River Cabin24507 Colorado Highway 145 • 214-770-8805 • vrbo.com/62133

Outpost Motel, Cabins & RV Park1800 Central Ave. • 970-882-7271 • doloreslodgings.com

Priest Gulch Campground, RV Park, Cabins and Lodge27646 Colorado Highway 145 • 970-562-3810 • priestgulch.com

Sophia Peace Center19581 County Road 31, • 970-882-4920, 877-246-0567sophiapeacecenter.com

The Rio Grande Southern Hotel101 S. Fifth St. • 970-882-2125, 866-882-3096

MancosA&A Mesa Verde RV Park34979 U.S. Highway 160 • 970-565-3517, 800-972-6620mesaverdecamping.com

Echo Basin Ranch43747 Road M • 970-533-7000 • echobasin.com

Enchanted Mesa Motel862 W. Grand Ave. • 970-533-7729, 866-533-6372enchantedmesamotel.com

Flagstone Meadows Bed & Breakfast Lodge 38080 County Road K4 • 970-533-9838, 800-793-1137flagstonemeadows.com

Lost Canyon Lake Lodge15472 County Road 35.3 • 970-882-7871lostcanyonlakelodge.com

Mesa Verde Motel191 W. Railroad Ave. • 970-533-7741, 800-825-6372mesaverdemotel.com

River Bend Bed & Breakfast42505 U.S. Highway 160 • 970-533-7717, 866-403-7063riverbendbandb.com

Sundance Bear Lodge38890 Colorado Highway 184 • 970-533-1504, 866-529-2480sundancebear.com

Willowtail Springs10451 County Road 39 • 970-533-7592, 800-698-0603willowtailsprings.com

Mesa Verde National ParkMesa Verde Far View LodgeNavajo Hill at mile 15, inside Mesa Verde National Park970-529-4422, 800-449-2288 • visitmesaverde.com

Price Range

$50-$100

$39-$219

$55-$170

$64-$190

$110.00

$200-$300

$70-$190

$38-$140

$89-$195

$39-$79

$24-$49

$110-$275

$55-$95

$95-$125

$125-$175

$49.50-$108

$100-$150

$135-$225

$229-$279

$89-$159

No. Rms./Units

90

16

20

30

—

1

28

100

28

15

70

23

11

8

5

16

4

5

3

150

Internet Access

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Hot Tubs

Y

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Y

N

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

Kitch. Units

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

N

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

N

Frig./Micro

Y/N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

N

N

Y

Y

N

N

Y

N

Y

Y

Y/N

Cont. Bkfst

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Y

N

Y

N

N

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Pets

N

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

N

N

Y

Y

Y

N

N

Y

Y

Y

N

Y

Lodging


By Reid WRightCortez Journal

The San Juan Mountains offer some of the most spectacu-lar views of fall colors in the

West.The white-barked aspen trees —

indigenous to the high elevation Rocky Mountains — change colors in the fall from brilliant green to or-ange to yellow — shimmering like billions of golden coins against a backdrop of mountain peaks soar-ing 14,000 feet into blue sky above azure glacial lakes nestled in lush mountain valleys.

The date of peak color change can vary by year and elevation, but usually occurs between September and October.

The San Juan Skyway, 232-mile trip, offers one of the best views of the fall colors.

From the San Juan Skyway, visi-tors can view postcard-worthy fall scenery from the comfort of their vehicles along with the surviv-ing historical mines and railroads of early pioneers; the prehistoric dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people and millennia-old geologic formations.

From Cortez, the skyway winds northwest through the lush Dolores River Valley, and follows the historic Rio Grande Railroad bed up the lumbering climb to Lizard Head Pass and the spectacular Trout Lake mountain basin, then traverses the cliffs of Ophir Loop to the booming resort town of Telluride — home of Bridal Veil Falls.

North of Telluride, the Dallas Divide and Uncompahgre National For-est boast some of the largest aspen groves with neon colors blanketing the rolling hills on the way to Ridgway and Ouray.

Over the spine-tingling Red Mountain Pass, Silverton is the final des-tination of the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with a restored steam locomotive and golden cars that match the aspen leaves.

Built from rough-cut lumber and rusty iron, historic mining structures can be viewed from the road over Molas and Coal Bank passes.

The byway then follows the cascading fall colors as it descends down beyond Electra Lake, through the red rock Animas Valley into the historic city of Durango.

For those who want to see the color without the long drive, Mancos State Park is located about five miles north of Mancos, and is one of the top eight fall destinations listed by the state park system in 2011. Visitors to the park can camp, bike, hike, picnic, swim and boat in the waters of Jackson Gulch Reservoir nestled in the flowing foothills of the majestic La Plata Mountains.

To get to the park, take U.S. Highway 160 east from Cortez 16 miles to Mancos. Turn north on Colorado Highway 184 for 0.25 miles, take Coun-ty Road 42 east approximately four miles to County Road N, and then take Road N west 0.5 miles to the park entrance. The U.S. Forest Service maintains a fall foliage hotline at 800-354-4595 for up-to-date reports on fall colors. More information is available online at www.sjma.org.

Fall brings Colorado color

We Welcome You To

Dove Creek, CO

On your way to Utah?We’ve got motels, gas

groceries, laundry facilities and more.

Enjoy Your Stay in Beautiful Southwest Colorado!


Full Breakfast Lunch • Dinner

SunDay Brunch Buffet 8:00 aM - 2 PM

PriMe riB every Saturday night

WE ARE FAMILY FRIENDLY COMFORT FOOD AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

Take-Out & Patio Dining Catering Available

801 E. Main St • Cortez (970) 565-2572

Open 6:30 AM Daily

Come see what’s NEW on our menu!

Featuring Daily Creations! Hearty Country Style Breakfast Choices Including; Classic Favorites, Skillets & Fresh from the Griddle • homemade chicken fried Steak• Biscuits & Gravy• fresh homemade Soups, Salads & Sandwiches• BBQ SPeciaLtieS

*Senior & Military Discounts*

Committed to Customer Service

Serving the Four CornersSince 1958!

PROPANERESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

• RV Motor Fuel & Cylinder Filling• Keep Full Delivery • Electronic Tank Monitoring • Protected Price Plans Prebuy &

Evenpay to Lock in Propane Rate • Certified Service Technicians

www.fraleyandcompany.com

ATTN: MOTORHOME OWNERS...Need a place to refill your propane?

LOOK NO FURTHER!!

6723 Hwy 160 & 491 • Cortez1-800-392-6939 • 565-8538


This is the 125th anniversary of Cortez. Historians and city of Cortez officials have not set a defini-

tive date for the town’s founding, but folks seem to agree it was around December 1886, when Cortez was platted, or January 1887, when the first business opened and first home was built.

Some other key dates in Cortez’s history include June 21, 1887, when a U.S. post office was established; Sept. 27, 1902, when the town of Cortez government was founded; and October 1957, when Cortez became a city gov-ernment with a home rule charter.

Pioneer James W. Hanna is generally considered to be the town’s principal founder, the Father of Cortez.

Hanna led the development of irriga-tion in the Montezuma Valley and was instrumental in Cortez’s founding. He died of dropsy in 1910, according to an obituary published July 23 of that year in The Denver Times.

For a complete package of articles about Cortez’s history and 125th an-niversary, visit the Cortez Journal website at www.cortezjournal.com or go to the direct link at http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20120301/NEWS01/703019944/History-of-Cortez.

Peek at Cortez’s Past

Photo courtesy of MontezuMa county historical society and

howard J. hanna

James W. Hanna is generally considered to be the father of Cortez. The Southwest Colorado pioneer helped bring irriga-tion water to the Montezuma Valley and helped found Cortez.

Photo courtesy of MontezuMa county historical society

Cortez’s streets hum with activity on fair day around 1905. The building on the left is the Clifton Hotel, and the historic Stone Block Building, which still stands, is visible on the right. A small meat market stands in between. Across the street is the McEwen Livery.

Please Don’t Drink & Drive!

Senior Citizen Discount Daily - 10%

Free Bag of Ice With Minimum purchase of

12 Pack

8 AM - 11:45 PMMonday - Saturday

10 AM to 6 PM - SundayCOrTeZ PLAZA

2212-1 e. Main Street

565.7364

BeST PrICeSIN TOWN!

Cortez’s ONLY DISCOUNTLiquor Super Store!

WeDNeSDAY’S

LADIeS 10% Wine & Liquor • 5% Beer

TeQUILA FrIDAY10% All Tequila

ProductsLOOKING FOR VINTAGE TREASURES?

LOOK NO FURTHER!

Open 7 Days • Summer 10-6 • Winter 10-54th St. & Central - Dolores, CO

970-882-2424

TRADITIONAL CHARM ANTIQUE MALL OF DOLORES

Over 5,000 sq. ft. of Antiques and Collectibles• Primitives • Furniture • Crystal • China • Coins • Western • Native American and so much more!


Visitors to the area will find a variety of artists and galleries specializing ineverything from fine sculpture to unique jewelry.Following is a list of some art galleries in Montezuma County:

Arborena Gallery — 114 E. Grand Ave., Mancos, 970-533-1381.

Art Juice Studio — 10 W. Main St., upstairs Room 102, Cortez, 970-565-0715(available by appointment).

Artisans of Mancos — 101 Grand Ave., Mancos, 970-533-7040.

Barbara Grist Photography — 923 Balsam St., Cortez, 970-565-1732(available by appointment).

Clay Mesa Art Gallery and Studio — 29 E. Main St., Cortez, 970-565-1902.

Cortez Cultural Center — 25 N. Market St., 970-565-1151.

Goodnight Trail Gallery of Western Art — 106 Grand Ave., Mancos, 970-533-1177.

Raven House Gallery — 120 W. Grand Ave., Mancos, 970-533-7149.

Sky Art, Karen Kristen — 125 N. Sligo St., Cortez, 970-565-8965(available by appointment).

Sideshow Emporium & Gallery — 411 Central No.4, Dolores, 970-565-4170.

West Fork Gallery & Custom Framing — 105 S.Fifth St., Dolores, 970-882-2211.

L o c a L a r t g a L L e r i e s


Camping sites can range from developed areas with full-service hookups to more rustic, undeveloped sites.

Campers will find the area offers a number of privately owned camp-grounds as well as areas on public lands.

A list of campgrounds and campsites in Montezuma County follows. Note that some city streets become county roads at city limits, and some county roads become U.S. Forest Service roads when they enter national forests. Road names and numbers can change when this happens. Some roads also have numbered designations and names based on geographical boundaries. For instance, Forest Road 528 is also known as House Creek Road.

A&A Mesa Verde RV Park — 34979 U.S. Highway 160; located directly across Highway 160 from Mesa Verde National Park; large pull-throughs, 50-amp sites, camper cabins, tent sites, shaded sites with fire pits, heated pool, hot tub, 18-hole mini golf, recreation hall, two playgrounds, showers, laundry, grocer-ies, free WiFi; rates based on two people: $38 per night for RVs, $36.50 for water and electric hook-ups, $24 per night for tents, $49 per night for camper cabins. Weekly and group rates available. For more information, call 970-565-3517.

Bradfield Campground — located one-half mile downstream from Bradfield Bridge; from U.S. Highway 491 travel north, turn right on County Road 16 one mile south of Pleasant View, travel 3.5 miles and turn right on County Road S; 16 sites; water, composting toilets, picnic tables and grills are provided; $8 per night. For more information, contact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-7296.

Burro Bridge Campground — two miles past Dunton, 17 miles from West Dolores Campground on West Dolores Road; 14 sites, will accommodate a few RVs; corral accommodates pack animals; $14 per night. For more information, contact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-7296.

Cabin Canyon Campground — past Bradfield Bridge, turn right on Forest Road 504 and travel four miles upstream; 11 sites, hand pump for water, dry dump station; $10 per night. For more information, contact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-7296.

Cayton Campground — six miles northeast of Rico on Highway 145, entrance is one-half mile east of the highway on Barlow Creek Road (Forest Road 578); 27 campsites and three picnic sites; 19 sites with access to 50-amp electric outlets; pressurized water and dry dump station; $15 per night, $5 per day for electricity. For more information, contact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-7296. Campsites can be reserved through San Juan Recreation at 877-444-6777 or at www.recreation.gov.

Circle K Guest and Dude Ranch — 27758 Highway 145, Dolores; $30/RV with full hook-up, $27/RV with electric hook-up, $21 for tent campsites; all rates based on two people. Horseback riding and pack trips, fly fishing, and many other activities. For more information, contact Circle K Ranch at 970-562-3826 or visit www.ckranch.com.

Cortez/Mesa Verde KOA — 27432 E. Highway 160; heated pool, bas-ketball and volleyball courts, horseshoes, teepees, grocery store and gift shop. For more information, including fees, contact KOA at 970-565-3901 or visit www.koa.com/where/co/06107.

Cozy Comfort RV Park and Mountain Retreat — 1501 Central Ave., Do-lores; tent sites, pull-through sites available, full hook-ups, 50-amp, cable TV, lodge/recreation room with game table, fireplace, laundry, showers, and free WiFi. Luxury 40-foot motorcoach rental available. Open year-round. For more information, contact Cozy Comfort at 970-882-2483 or 800-877-7218.

Dolores River RV Park — 18680 Highway 145, Dolores; tent sites $25, RV sites $35; 30- and 50-amp service, full-service cabins $110. WiFi and cable TV. Pets allowed. For more information, contact Dolores River RV Park at 970-882-7761.

Ferris Campground — three miles upstream from Cabin Campground; six sites, five picnic sites, hand pump for water; $10 per night. For more information, contact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-7296.

House Creek Campground — Turn off Colorado Highway 145 onto 11th Street (County Road 31) in Dolores, travel six miles north on County Road 31 (Forest Road 526) to House Creek Road (Forest Road 528); 60 units in three loops; 17 sites with electrical hook-up; dump station, pressurized water; $15 per night, $5 per day for electricity. For more information, contact San Juan Recreation at 970-882-7296. Campsites can be reserved through San Juan Recreation at 877-444-6777 or at www.recreation.gov.

Mavreeso Campground — six miles up the West Dolores Road (For-est Road 535) from the intersection of Highway 145; 19 sites accommo-date tents and RVs; all sites have tables and accommodate wheelchairs; $15 per night, $5 per day for electricity. For more information, contact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-7296. Campsites can be re-served through San Juan Recreation at 877-444-6777 or at www.recre-ation.gov.

McPhee Campground — south shore of McPhee Reservoir, eight miles west of Dolores off Colorado Highway 184; 76 sites, paved access, park-ing, picnic sites, barrier-free flush toilets, sanitary dumping, 24 sites with electric hookup; 12 walk-in tent sites; two handicapped accessible sites; $15 per night, $5 per day for electricity. For more information, contact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-7296. Campsites can be reserved through San Juan Recreation at 877-444-6777 or at www.recreation.gov.

Target Tree Campground — off U.S. Highway 160 seven miles north of Mancos; 25 sites, some available for RVs; $15 per night. For more infor-mation, contact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-7296.

Transfer Campground — from Highway 184, turn east on County Road 42, travel seven miles; 12 sites; all sites and restrooms are barrier free; group picnic area; stock corral; $14 per night. For more information, con-tact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-7296.

West Dolores Campground — seven miles up the West Dolores Road (Forest Road 535) from the intersection with Highway 145; 18 sites ac-commodate tents and RVs; $15 per night, $5 per day for electricity. For more information, contact the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-7296. Campsites can be reserved through San Juan Recreation at 877-444-6777 or at www.recreation.gov.

Area Campgrounds


A f e w t h i n g s t o k n o w f r o m A r e A i n s i d e r sLocAL brew — There are three places to partake in a locally brewed pint in Montezuma County. Main Street Brewery and J. Fargos in Cortez and Dolores River Brewery in Dolores.

grAb A cup in A trAiLer — How many chances do you have to satisfy your caffeine craving in a 1969 silver Airstream trailer? The Silver Bean is located at 401 W. Main in Cortez. It also has a drive through.

hAwkins preserve — this is a unique place with a system of trails in south Cortez. The overlooks with cliff and vista scenery make for a great place to see a sunset or just go for a leisurely hike..

wAtch A rAdio show — KSJD in downtown Cor-tez has a studio with a large window near the corner of Main and Market. You can watch as the DJ on the air.

pLAce A bet — as they like to say “11 lucky miles from Cortez” the Ute Mountain Casino is just down Highway 491 in Towaoc.

Absorb cuLture — In the summer months, the Cortez Culture Center presents a variety of Native American dances and performances in a splendid out-door setting.

Antique or Unique970 562-4219

Welcome Visitors

WELCOME VISITORSOPEN MON-FRI 8AM TO 5PM

Take a Reminder of SW Colorado Home With You Soup Mixes, Spices, Cookbooks, Chili, Hot Sauce,

Popcorn, Olives, Honey, Anasazi & Pinto Beans

Southwest Native American Jewelry & Pottery

Call for FREE MAIL ORDER CATALOG970-677-2620 - Fax 677-2667 - 1-800-542-3623

09006 E. Hwt 491 - Dove Creek COSHIPPING SERVICE www.anasazibeans.com

Organic Beans Available


Travelers to the Four Corners will find a variety of options and information.

BY AIR: Cortez Municipal Air-port is served by Great Lakes Airlines and offers air service to Denver daily. For more in-formation, contact the airport manager at 970-565-7458 or Great Lakes at 800-554-5111 or 970-565-9510. The airport is located at 22874 County Road F. Take U.S. Highway 160 south of Cortez and turn west on County Road G to reach the airport.CARS & CABS: Cortez offers travelers three car rent-al options, Hertz, Budget and Enterprise. Both Hertz and Budget operate at Cortez Municipal Airport. Hertz can be reached at 970-565-2001, and Budget can be reached at 970-564-9012. Enterprise is located at 201 N. Pinon Drive, Suite A, and can be reached at 970-565-6824. Cortez Cab provides service and package delivery 24/7 to destinations in Montezuma County, Dolores County and beyond to La Plata and San Miguel counties. Cortez Cab can be reached at 565-6911.WHERE TO GO: Resources are plentiful at the Colorado Visitors Center, 928 E. Main St., Cortez. The center offers calendars of events, brochures, discount packages and coupons, multilingual guides, in-formation on road conditions and regional maps.SCENIC BYWAYS: The Four Corners has two scenic byways that have been identified as part of America’s Byways, part of the National Scenic Byway Program. Visitors to the area find the San Juan Skyway

and Trail of the Ancients to be worth the time and travel. For more information, visit www.byways.org/explore/byways/2101 and www.byways.org/explore/by-ways/2597.For detailed travel and road condition information, contact the Colo-rado Department of Transportation at 303-639-1111 or visit www.co-trip.org.MORE INFO: For more information on these or other travel options, contact the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce at 970-565-3414 or visit www.cortezchamber.com.

Travel information

Your goals deserve our attention

Your local Wells Fargo Home Mortgage consultant excels at listeningto your goals and helping you choose the right financing solution toachieve your homeownership goal. Wells Fargo Home Mortgageservices loans for more than 8 million customers nationwide, helpingthem manage their mortgages and enjoy the benefits ofhomeownership.

• Responsive service and professional knowledge• Extensive product line with flexible financing options• Smooth loan experiences and rewarding customer relationships

Call one of the nation’s leading retail mortgage lenders today.

Lisa de Kramer641 E. Main St, Suite CCortez, CO 81321Office: 970-564-1946Cell: 970-739-3616Toll Free: [email protected] ID 441114

Kay Hansen641 E. Main St, Suite CCortez, CO 81321Office: 970-564-9930Cell: 801-244-4990Toll Free: [email protected] ID 189375

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2011 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. AS648084 5/11-8/11


For those who visit Montezuma Coun-ty and decide they want to stay, there are many resources to make relocat-

ing easy.The Cortez Area Association of Real-

tors offers prospective buyers a number of knowledgeable realtors to choose from. Members serve all the towns in the re-gion, which extends from Egnar, roughly 47 miles northwest of Cortez, to Rico, 48 miles northeast of Cortez, to Dolores, Mancos and Cortez. For more informa-tion, visit www.cortezarearealtors.com or call 970-565-0112.

Utilities in Montezuma County vary de-pending on the area in which one resides. For water, trash and sewer information, contact the individual municipality in ques-tion: city of Cortez, 210 E. Main St., 970-565-3402; town of Dolo-res, 420 Central Ave., 970-882-7454; or town of Mancos, 117 N. Main Ave., 970-533-7725.

Electric service is provided to area residents by Empire Elec-tric Association, 801 N. Broadway, Cortez, 970-565-4444.

Natural gas in the county is provided by Atmos Energy, 800-442-1313. Propane is provided by Country Gas, 970-564-1199; Ferrellgas, 970-565-8509; Fraley & Co., 970-565-8538; and Na-vajo Butane, 970-565-3514.

Phone service in the county is provided by Qwest, 800-244-1111; CenturyTel, 800-201-4099; Farmer’s Telephone, 970-562-

4211; and Baja Broadband, 877-321-6851.Many options are available for cable televi-

sion and Internet service. Contact the indi-vidual municipality in which you plan to live.

Three school districts exist in Montezuma County. Each district is unique in its demo-graphics and course offerings.

Montezuma-Cortez School District Re-1 is the largest district in the county and com-prises five elementary schools, including a charter school, one middle school, one high school and one alternative high school. For more information, contact the district at 970-565-7282 or visit www.cortez.k12.co.us.

Dolores School District Re-4A features a preschool, elementary school and joint middle/high school. For more information, contact the district at 970-882-7255 or visit www.dolores.k12.co.us.

Mancos School District Re-6 is made up of elementary, middle and high schools, and enrolls the fewest students of the three districts.

For more information, contact the district at 970-533-7748 or visit www.mancos.schoolfusion.us.

For more relocation information, contact the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce at 970-565-3414 or www.cortezcham-ber.com, the Dolores Chamber of Commerce at 970-882-4018 or www.doloreschamber.com, or the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce at 970-533-7434 or www.mancosvalley.com.

Resources make relocation easy

City of Cortez - 970-565-3402

Town of Dolores - 970-882-7454

Town of Mancos - 970-533-7725

FO R MOR E INFO

E S T A B L I S H E D 1 9 6 1

TRADING COMPANY & MUSEUM

Experience our trading post and museum in Cortez. open 6 days a week, Mon - Sat 9am - 5:30pm.

Featuring the finest in Native American arts and crafts.

345 W. Main Cortez. CO 81321 1.800.444.2024 1.970.565.9607

NOTAH D I NEH

1110 Railroad Ave Dolores CO 81323www.mcpheeboatrentals.com

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEKPontoon and Fishing Boats available

Boats come with everything needed to be compliant with all boating laws.

www.mcpheeboatrentals.com970-676-1119

MCPHEE BIZ newadd 3.668x4.625 .indd 1 4/24/12 3:15 PM56 • Southwest Colorado Visitors Guide • www.cortezjournal.com

Newspapercortezjournal.comCortez History articleswww.tinyurl.com/7ppgcnq

area CHamberswww.cortezchamber.comwww.doloreschamber.comwww.mancosvalley.com

muNiCipal aNd CouNtywww.cityofcortez.comwww.townofdolores.comwww.mancoscolorado.comwww.durangogov.org

dolores Countywww.dolorescounty.org

montezuma Countywww.co.montezuma.co.us

la plata Countyco.laplata.co.us

tourist iNfoNational park servicewww.nps.gov

mesa Verdewww.visitmesaverde.comwww.mesaverdecountry.comwww.cortezculturalcenter.org

Cortez Cultureal Centerwww.cortezculturalcenter.org

doloresGalloping Goose Historical societywww.gallopinggoose5.com

anasazi Hertiage Centerwww.mesaverdecountry.com

Website Information

La Plata Countyco.laplata.co.us

TourisT infonational Park servicewww.nps.gov

Mesa Verdewww.visitmesaverde.comwww.mesaverdecountry.comwww.cortezculturalcenter.org

Cortez Cultureal Centerwww.cortezculturalcenter.org

DoloresGalloping Goose Historical societywww.gallopinggoose5.com

Anasazi Hertiage Centerwww.mesaverdecountry.com

The Dolores Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center

Welcomes You to Beautiful Dolores, ColoradoVisit us the

First Saturday in June for Dolores Riverfest & the

Second weekend in August for Dolores Escalante Days!

E-mail us at: [email protected] to us at: P.O. Box 602, Dolores CO 81323

Call us at: 970-882-4018Visit us at: 201 Railroad Ave. HWY 145 in Dolores

Open 7 days 9 am - 4 pm May - October Open 4 days a week November - April

Gift Shop Available

Visit www.doloreschamber.com for more information and Special Events


DurAnGoThree things to do in Durango (45 miles from Cortez)

All aboard!Take a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The 50-mile trip to the mining town of SIlverton is one of the big-gest tourist highlights of Durango.

Be a foodieDowntown Durango has more restaurants per capita than San Francisco. There are also four microbreweries in town.

Henry strater TheaterThis world-renowned theatre is one of the oldest and most pres-tigious continually running theatres in Colorado.

informationwww.durango.orgwww.durangobusiness.org

TeLLuriDeTwo things to do (71 miles from Cortez)

festival funTelluride has festivals throughout the summer ranging from Yoga, to jazz to bluegrass, to film.

Mountain funTelluride is an old mining town that is known for world-class ski-ing and celebrity sightings. At an elevation of 8,750 feet, getting out and onto the mountain trails provides plenty of fun.

informationwww.telluride.comwww.visittelluride.com

MoAB, uTAHTwo things to do (115 miles from Cortez)

Arches national ParkThe park contains the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. Although over 2,000 arches are located with-in the park’s 76,518 acres, the park also contains an astounding variety of other geological formations. Colossal sandstone fins, massive balanced rocks, soaring pinnacles and spires dwarf visi-tors as they explore the park’s viewpoints and hiking trails.

Hit the trailWhether it’s on a mountain bike or in a 4-wheel drive vehicle, Moab is one of the top destinations for challenging, picturesque and memorable riding and driving trails.

informationwww.discovermoab.com

Q u i c k T r i p s

Cream of Wheat & Toast $2.95Oatmeal & Toast $2.95Cold Cereal $2.95Hash Browns $1.95Side of Cottage Cheese $1.95One Egg $1.25

Bacon $2.95Ham $2.95Sausage $2.95Toast/English Muffin $1.25(2) Biscuits $1.95Small Fruit Juice $1.95

BREAKFAST

SIDES

BISCUITS & GRAVYTwo buttermilk biscuits and country

gravy. $3.95

FRENCH TOASTTwo slices of a classic with dash cinna-

mon and vanilla. $4.95

BUTTERMILK CAKESServed with maple syrup and

whipped butter.Full Stack $3.95

Short Stack $2.95

TWO EGGS & MEATTwo large farm fresh eggs any style and your choice of meat, served with hash

browns and toast. $6.95

STEAK & EGGSTwo large farm fresh eggs any style and a juicy sirloin steak served with hash

browns and toast. $8.95

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK & EGGS

Two farm fresh eggs any style and our delicious chicken fried steak, topped

with country gravy and served with hash browns and toast. $7.95

THREE EGG OMELETMade with three farm fresh eggs. Choice of Ham & Cheese, Denver, Three Meat, Veggie or Spanish omelet. Served with

hash browns and toast. $6.95

BREAKFAST BURRITOTwo scrambled eggs, hash browns,

onions, bell peppers, cheese, sausage and ham, rolled in a flour tortilla with

red or green chile. $7.95

EGG & MEAT SANDWICHFried egg with choice of bread

and meat. $5.95

KUCHU'S AM SPECIALTwo pieces of French toast or two buttermilk cakes, two eggs any style and choice of ham, bacon, sausage patty or sausage links.Served with hash browns. $7.95

SUNRISE SPECIALMonday thru Friday only!Two large farm fresh eggs any style, choice of meat and served with hash browns and toast. $3.95

11 Lucky miLes south of cortez, coLorado on highways 491/160

Breakfast Menu Breakfast Buffet avaiLaBLe saturday & sunday 7am - 11pm

1-800-258-8007


appetizers

HOME-STYLE SALADSServed from 11:00 am to close.

Chef SaladCrisp iceberg lettuce topped with ham, turkey, shredded cheese, hard boiled egg wedges, tomato, and cucumber slices, served with your choice of salad dressings.

$9.95

HOMESTYLE BURGERSBest burgers in the four corners area!

Served with lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles with choice of potato.

A 15% Gratuity will be added to parties of 8 or more.

Chicken QuesadillaGrilled chicken breast, cheddar cheese and diced green chile on a flour tortilla.

Served with salsa and sour cream. $7.95

Basket of FriesChoice of seasoned or regular fries.

$3.95

Chili FriesChoice of seasoned or regular fries, topped with red or green chile and

smothered in cheese. $5.95

Nachos SupremeTaco meat, jalapenos and cheese sauce over chips topped with lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole.

$7.95

Hot WingsJumbo wings fried to perfection and tossed in our own hot sauce. Served

with fresh vegetables and ranch dressing. $7.95

Chicken Strip BasketFour chicken strips and fries served

with ranch dressing. $6.95

Irish NachosDeep fried potatoes topped with taco

meat, cheese sauce, lettuce, diced tomatoes and sour cream. $7.95

Grilled Chicken CaesarRomaine lettuce tossed with Caesar

dressing, topped with grilled chicken breast, croutons and fresh grated

parmesan cheese. $7.95

Taco SaladFried Taco shell filled wtih seasoned

taco meat,shredded cheese, jalapenos, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and

topped with sour cream. $7.95

All You Can Eat Soup & Salad Bar $6.95

Bowl of Soup/Dinner Salad $3.95

Chili BurgerCharbroiled hamburger with your choice of red or green chile. $8.95

Kuchu's BurgerCharbroiled to perfection. $7.95

Add green chilies, cheese, bacon or mushrooms for $.75

Native HamburgerHamburger charbroiled to perfection.Served on tortilla or fry bread. $7.95

Patty MeltCharbroiled hamburger with sauteed

onions and Swiss cheese on grilled rye. $8.95


Lunch & Dinner Menu LUNCH BUFFET DaiLy 11am - 3pm • DiNNER BUFFET DaiLy 5pm - CLosE

sEaFooD BUFFET FRiDays oNLy! 5pm - CLosE

Baby Back RibsHalf rack of tender baby back ribs, charbroiled and basted in our own savory bbq sauce

served vegetable of the day and choice of potato. Served with dinner roll. $12.95

Roast Beef DinnerTender slow roasted choice beef with

choice of potato, served with vegetables and dinner roll. $9.95

Hot Beef SandwichTender roast beef served open faced on

Texas toast with mashed potatoes and rich beef gravy. $7.95

Hot HamburgerHamburger charbroiled to perfection

served open faced on grilled Texas toast with mashed potatoes and rich beef

gravy. $7.95

Braised Beef Short RibsSlow braised chuck short rib topped veal demi glace, served with mashed

potatoes, dinner roll and vegetable. $10.95

Meatloaf DinnerGenerous slices of grilled meatloaf topped red chile glaze, served with

mashed potatoes, vegetable and dinner roll. $8.95

Green Chile Chicken Pot PieYour individual pot pie, large chunks of

chicken with a mix of garlic, celery, green chilies, and carrots, topped with puff

pastry and baked to golden brown. $8.95

Pork Osso BucoOur version of osso buco: slow braised

pork shank topped with a rich demi glace sitting in middle of Dove Creek pintos. Served with tortillas. $10.95

Home-Style Mac & CheeseDelicious blend of 4 cheeses, smoked

bacon and pasta shells and dinner roll. $5.95

Hamburger SteakCharbroiled hamburger steak topped

sautéed onions, mushrooms and topped with rich beef gravy served with vegetable and choice of potato. Served with dinner roll. $10.95

Fried ChickenThree pieces of honey battered fried

chicken served with vegetable of the day and mashed potatoes with gravy. Served

with dinner roll. $10.95

Chicken Fried SteakChicken fried steak fried to perfection

with mashed potatoes, covered with country gravy. Served with dinner roll.

$8.50

Pork ChopsGrilled boneless pork chop served with the vegetable of the day and choice of potato. Served with dinner roll. $7.95

Liver & OnionsLiver smothered in grilled onions served with mashed potatoes, vegetables of the day and served with dinner roll. $8.95

Chicken FettucciniGrilled chicken breast in a creamy

Parmesan Alfredo sauce with fettuccini noodles. Served with garlic toast. $9.95

FajitasOur sizzling fajitas come with your choice of chicken or beef, bell peppers strips

and onions Served with tortillas, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, salsa, rice and beans. $9.95

Native TacoHomemade fry bread topped with ground beef, beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese

and sour cream. Choice of red or green chile. $9.95

EnchiladasThree delicious enchiladas, your choice

of cheese or beef. Served with red or green chile, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour

cream, salsa, rice and beans. $8.95

Smothered BurritoSouth of the border taste with a flour

tortilla filled with ground beef and beans. Topped with lettuce, tomato, beans, and

rice. Covered with red or green chile sauce and smothered in cheese. $8.95

Combo PlateBeef or cheese enchiladas, beef or bean burrito, hard or soft shell taco, rice and

beans, served with red or green chile. $8.95

a 15% GRaTUiTy wiLL BE aDDED To paRTiEs oF 8 oR moRE.


steak & seafoodServed with house salad, dinner roll and choice of potato.

T-BoneChoice T-Bone charbroiled to

your liking. $20.95

RibeyeTwelve ounces of charbroiled choice

ribeye to your liking. $19.95

Top SirloinEight ounces of charbroiled choice

sirloin to your liking. $17.95

Steak SandwichSix ounce choice sirloin char-grilled and served open faced on Texas toast. $7.95

Fish & ChipsSix ounces of hand battered cod, fried to perfection. Served with tartar sauce, and choice of seasoned or regular fries. $8.95

Breaded ShrimpFive jumbo hand-battered prawns, fried

to perfection. Served with homemadecocktail sauce. $13.95

SANDWICHES & WRAPSServed with choice of chips, fries or potato salad.

BLTAn old classic bacon, lettuce

and tomato. $5.95

Grilled Ham & CheeseCheese bread. $6.95

Tuna Salad SandwichTuna salad on choice of bread with

lettuce and tomato. $6.95

French DipTender roast beef on a grilled hoagie

roll with au jus. $7.95

Philly Cheese SteakTender roast beef with sauteed onions, green

bell peppers and mushrooms on a grilled hoagie, topped with Swiss cheese. $8.95

Turkey Bacon WrapsSmoked turkey breast, bacon, American cheese, lettuce and tomato wrapped in a flour tortilla. Served with ranch dressing

on the side. $6.95

Southwest WrapStrips of grilled chicken, green chilies, lettuce and tomato wrapped in a flour tortilla. Served with ranch dressing on

the side. $8.95

Casino Club SandwichTurkey, ham, bacon, mayo, Swiss and American cheese, lettuce and tomato

served on three pieces of toasted bread of your choice. $8.95

sidesMashed Potatoes & Gravy

$3.95

Baked Potato(white or brown) $3.95

Gravy$1.95

Guacamole$1.95

Cup of Red/Green Chile$2.95

Pinto Beans $2.95

Vegetable$2.95

Jalapenos$.95

Shredded Cheese$1.95

A 15% Gratuity will be added to parties of 8 or more.


A Full Service Bank

Welcomes You To Our Beautiful Rocky Mountains

Have A Memorable Visit And A Safe Journey Home

Cortez • 565-5432Fax 565-4352 • 27880 Hwy 160

Mancos • 533-7736Fax 533-7925 • 138 N. Main • PO Box 450

Lobby Hours: 9-4 Mon - Thur; 9-5 FriDrive-Up Hours 8:30-5 Mon - Thur; 8-6 Fri

ATM-24 Hours • Cirrus/Pluswww.MancosValleyBank.com


Great Horse Property! 10 ac. w/irrg. and lake views! Custom w/bonus room, barn & RV storage. $379,000 #662671

Affordable Home! In town Cortez near parks, rec center, library and pool. Montezuma Ave. location. (Scott Wallace)

$134,500 #664495

Riverfront Dream! Immac. home just feet from the Dolores River and ponds. RV Storage!

$549,000 #668005

200 Acres, Canyon of the Ancients! Ruins, Extreme Views, Borders BLM. Listed for $174,000 - Special Reduction to $135,000. Price per acre $675!Contact Scott 970-749-7992

Flyfishing from your deck!This riverfront home has a wall of glass facing a huge pond and river. (Scott Wallace)

$529,900 #667984

$170,000#664102

DUPLEX

2012 tourist guide

Documents