Cortez News

This 232-mile loop through the San Juan Mountains passes through a majestic landscape of alpine forests, lush ranch lands, quaint Old West towns and ancient Indian ruins.

MesaVerde Pottery, located just east of Cortez at 27601 Highway 160, is open for the tourist season.The long-time business was opened more than 25 years ago by Cortez natives U.S. Rep.

Y Eduardo Vesazquez Jimenez, 18, of Durango, pleaded guilty to one count of underage drinking and driving.

Master SGT. Troy M. Rosenbaugh, a native of Cortez and son of Carol Utley and Ron Rosenbaugh, will retire from the U.S. Air Force on May 24, culminating in 22 years of honorable service.

Lifelong Dolores area resident Morrison Keith Leavell passed away at Vista Grande Inn in Cortez on Sunday, May 20, 2012.

Authorities on Wednesday identified two California residents who were killed this week when a suspected drunken driver struck their motorcycle west of Hesperus.

A Farmington, N.M., man, who has raced at the speedway for the past 13 years, decided to take over the operations for 2012.

Benjamin Harclerode of Cortez was recognized for outstanding academic accomplishments by being named to the LeTourneau University Deans List for the spring 2012 semester.Harclerode achieved a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.99 for the semester.

'My purpose in bringing this up is I feel like as far as schools go and town goes, we sink together or we swim together,' said Cortez Mayor Dan Porter.

Design ideas are welcome from all ages and need not necessarily come from professional artists or graphic designers.

As cars stop, a pedestrian crosses Main Street in downtown Cortez. With summer approaching, pedestrian traffic is increasing in Cortez.

With it, comes a warning. 'This year is shaping up to be like 2002 when the Missionary Ridge Fire happened,' said Paul Hollar, emergency manager for Montezuma County.

Haylee and Joey Medina welcomed a new sister into the world on March 26, 2012. Amber Grace Medina was born at 10:45 p.m. to Lindsay and Frank Medina of Cortez.

A discussion on the future of education in Cortez will be held at the Cortez City Council Workshop meeting, set for 615 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 210 East Main St.

The proposed move of Montezuma County Court - currently located at the intersection of Mildred Road and Empire Street - into the District Court building at 109 East Main St.

After a fairly quiet couple of weeks as far as severe storms are concerned, the weather is expected to turn active over parts of the Plains this weekend.

A child dressed up and waiting for an elephant procession to begin during a Hindu festival in a small village in India is shown in this image by Cortez photographer Barbara Grist.

Graveside inurnment services for Cortez resident Ira Rachel Dean will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at Greenlawn Cemetery in Farmington, N.M.Ira was born on October 12, 1928 in Farmington, N.M. the daughter of Ira and Rachel Locke Hatch.She passed away on Friday, May 4, 2012 at San Juan Regional Medical Center at the age of 83.

A local man was arrested after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase from Cortez toward Towaoc Sunday.Kenneth Bancroft, 18, is accused of nearly colliding with a vehicle while driving a sport utility vehicle under the influence of alcohol at speeds estimated at 90 mph.

The Treasure of Cortez will 'wash ashore' next month, but buccaneers will have to weave a trail of clues if they want to unlock the secret to glittering booty.