Cortez, Colorado - our county seat
           20 miles west of Sundance Bear Lodge

Cortez, an archaeological center for America, is the largest town in Montezuma County, the county seat, and the regional shopping center. Crow Canyon Center is still doing active site excavation from its base on the north side of town. Located at the foot of the Sleeping Ute Mountain and the Mesa Verde ridge, the town is also a crossroads for US 491 and 160 connecting the 4 states of the region.

Cortez was Tsaya-toh, to the Navajo, meaning "rock water," a reference probably to Mitchell Springs. Cortez was officially founded in 1886 with a new name and moved north to the present town site. Ranching, farming and a major trading center for Native Americans became the combined economic mainstay of the town. Time passed -- and with the building of McPhee Lake, a different variety of crops became sustainable: the Utes became hi-tech farmers, and wine grapes moved into McElmo Canyon.

Rodeo is still a big attraction throughout the region and for all ages. Don't miss the Ute Mountain Rodeo every June: the Ag Expo and the county fair all held at the fairgrounds on the east side of town. In the summer Indian Dances and cultural programs are offered six nights a week at the Cortez Cultural Center, and in '06 a new Sunday Indian Market was started. Historic buildings in the downtown area are part of the Crossroads Culture Walk, an interesting way to discover the unique history of the area and learn how Cortez has been a trade center for many cultures before the US granted Colorado statehood. Thanks to historic donation of farm land, the town has an amazing array of parks. hay fields and picnic areas. The community recreation center was built here.

On Memorial Day weekend county tourism sponsors Celebrating Our Song, honoring Native Americans in the region. A concert, juried art show, rug auction and more occur in Cortez or at Mesa Verde National Park. In the fall the city is the location for the wine and art fest, recognizing and celebrating the changing complexion of the county. Towaoc is the center for the Ute Mountain Ute tribe and its many businesses; the Utes offer guided tours of their tribal park with many unrestored Anasazi ruins.

For a current calendar of events and activities for visitors, please visit the calendar on vvww.MesaVerdeCountry.com.