Cortez Retail Enhancement Association

06/24/2026

Resources and info for our Cortez Business Community??

The City Hall of Cortez, Colorado and CREA have you covered!

shopcortez.com/business-support/business-marketing-assistance/

cortezco.gov/95/Business

🤩🥳

Need some guidance? Take a look at the City of Cortez Business Resource guide!
https://www.cortezco.gov/95/Business

06/21/2026

CORTEZ BUSINESS OWNERS: We've got a Round 3 - check it out TODAY!!🤩👍🥳

Great News! The Cortez Business Beautification Grant just opened ROUND 3!

In order to assist small businesses in creating a positive commercial environment, the City of Cortez is accepting applications for its Cortez Business Beautification Grant. The City may provide a one-to-one matching grant of up to $3,000 for the purchase of materials utilized in the enhancement of a business’s existing façade or primary public entrance.
More information and the application can be found at: tinyurl.com/CTZ-BizBeauty

06/19/2026

Terrance asked from the stage: “Cortez, do you want to feel the spirit of New Orleans music tonight?”

The answer was a resounding “YES!”

From Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, City Hall of Cortez, Colorado Parks & Rec, and Sponsor First National Bank, Cortez:

MERCI BEAUCOUP to Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience for an absolutely amazing opening event for our Third Thursdays season - bringing your music, joy and spirit to our corner of the world made for an unforgettable evening in Montezuma Park!
🥳🪗💙

And a big THANK YOU to all of the community that came out to support live music, local businesses, vendors, organizations and each other.

Special shout out to Mark "Drudgedome" Drudge & Michelle for extra CREA support!

We'll see you all for the next Third Thursdays on July 16!


Cortez Recreation Center KRTZ Radio WildEdge Brewing Collective and Coffee Sweetwater Gypsies Yia Yia's Concession Snyder Snowie Shack ZU Gallery

05/27/2026

OPENING DAY for the Cortez Farmers Market is here: join us for the 2026 Season kickoff! 🌞🥕

CREA invites you to experience an abundance of fresh, locally grown foods, unique artisan vendors, live music and family-friendly fun — all while supporting our amazing community of growers, makers, and farmers:

Save the Date: Saturday, May 30 | 8AM – 12PM
Location: Children's Kiva Montessori K-8 Charter School Parking Lot
Corner of Empire & Mildred
Cortez, Colorado

The Market is geared up for an amazing season and will run every Saturday morning through October. Watch throughout the season for special events and programs and follow Cortez Farmers Market.

Did you know that the Cortez Farmers Market offers live music every market day? Each week, a new band plays to entertain the crowds - the Four Corners Community Band will be starting the season off!

We also encourage you to support local businesses as well: please SHOP & DINE in Cortez while you're visiting for the Market!

For more details including market history, weekly music schedule and vendor applications:
cortezfarmersmarket.com/

Cortez Farmers Market: The place to be on Saturday mornings:
Let’s grow our community and this season together! 🌿🍅

Cortez Farmers Market

05/27/2026

ARE YOU READY? Here comes the Season Opening event for our Third Thursdays Cortez Downtown Market!

Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, City Hall of Cortez, Colorado Parks & Rec and sponsor First National Bank, Cortez are proud to announce our first performance of the summer:

Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience!
Thursday June 18
5pm-8pm
Montezuma Park
Cortez, Colorado

Some of you may remember Terrance and group were scheduled for an opening event a few years back – for the first time we were rained out! He blessed us with a makeup performance the following week but has yet to play for an actual 3rd Thursdays evening. We are lucky and THRILLED to have them back!

For over 40+ years, two-time GRAMMY award winning, 8th generation Louisiana Creole, TERRANCE SIMIEN has been shattering the myths about what his traditional Zydeco roots music is - and is not! Simien leads the highly skilled Zydeco Experience Band with incredibly talented and diverse musicians:
Danny Williams: Keyboards, Vocals
Stan Chambers: Bass, Vocals
Ian Molinaro-Thompson: Drums
Michael Christie: Trumpet
Noah Boshra: Saxophone

For fascinating, detailed info on their music and bios check out:
terrancesimien.com/media-kit/

We’re proud to again bring this FUN, FREE and COMMUNITY focused event to our Downtown Cortez area:

-The City of Cortez PARKS & REC TEAM will welcome you to the event and take care of our vendors. Watch for a NEW LAYOUT and entrance/exit areas this year!

- In support of CREA’s LISTEN CORTEZ we’re excited to have KRTZ Radio and Kelly Turner on the Radio with us again this year for Live Remote Broadcasts from the Park.

-Explore a variety of vendor booths, meet City of Cortez departments and sample delicious bites and brews throughout the evening featuring Yia Yia's Concession, Sweetwater Gypsies, Rockin DJ Smashed Lemonade, The Chuckwagon , Snyder Snowie Shack, new mocktails & Cava with ZU Gallery at 3rd Thursdays and local beer & wine from our longtime Event Partner WildEdge Brewing Collective and Coffee.

- Stop by the Power Partner booth of CREA and Mesa Verde Country, Colorado featuring info on local businesses, lodging and events; ENTER TO WIN our amazing 3rd Thursdays Giveaway!

-Enjoy the KIDS ZONE full of activities, games and vendor booths from our organizations with a focus on families & children info and fun!

-To our four-legged friends and their families: While we appreciate all the doggies that have enjoyed time at 3rd Thursdays, we are requesting again that they PLEASE stay at home again this season! The Park has become too crowded to include everyone’s pets and we’ve had a few unfortunate incidents involving dogs, kids, crowds and noise. Thank you for understanding and making the evening fun and safe for everyone.

CREA encourages you to make a day of it - help support local businesses by visiting our many RETAIL SHOPS and RESTAURANTS while in Cortez for 3rd Thursdays this season:
shopcortez.com/cortez-business-directory/

Want a SNEAK PEAK at our musical lineup for 2026? Check out this diverse, amazing and talented list of performers - you do not want to miss any of these!
shopcortez.com/third-thursdays/

Mark your calendars for June 18, send out wishes for sunshine & zydeco, then bring the family, bring a friend, bring a blanket or chairs, and ENJOY THE MUSIC OF Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience - see you at Montezuma Park!

05/03/2026

Hey Cortez Business Owners & Managers:

Here's your reminder: It's almost time, have you registered yet for the SW Colorado Small Business Development Center's 14th ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE??

Don't miss this empowering day by our Power Partners at Colorado SBDC serving Southwest Colorado!

Join in for a full day of learning, connection, and inspiration featuring 20 breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and consulting.

Event: Southwest Colorado Small Business Conference
SMALL BUSINESS, BIG FUTURE
Date: May 6, 2026
Location: Sky Ute Event Center
Hosted by: Colorado SBDC serving Southwest Colorado & Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation

Review the entire schedule including all the amazing Key Note Speakers; Register here TODAY!
https://socgov38.my.site.com/ColoradoSBDC/s/event-function?language=en_US&c__recordId=a0HHn00000TNdlJ

🤩👍📈📊

🎤 Keynote Speakers Announced: 14th Annual Small Business Conference

We’re excited to welcome two dynamic and inspiring keynote speakers to the 2026 Southwest Colorado Small Business Conference!

Zachary Ray, CEO of Desert Sun Coffee Roasters, brings decades of experience in fair-trade coffee, sustainability, and small business leadership. Based in Durango, his work focuses on building ethical supply chains and strengthening rural businesses through innovation and community impact.

Sandy A. Lane, founder of Sandy A Lane Consulting, is an acclaimed speaker, coach, and former C-suite executive who now empowers individuals and organizations to unlock their full potential. Her work centers on leadership, personal value, and navigating successful transitions in business and life.

Together, they’ll bring powerful insights, real-world experience, and energizing perspectives to help you grow your business and leadership capacity.

Join us for a full day of learning, connection, and inspiration featuring 20 breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and consulting.

Event: Southwest Colorado Small Business Conference
Date: May 6, 2026
Location: Sky Ute Event Center
Hosted by: Colorado SBDC serving Southwest Colorado & Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation

Register here: https://socgov38.my.site.com/ColoradoSBDC/s/event-function?c__recordId=a0HHn00000TNdlJ

04/29/2026

QUESTION: Hey, is there anything going on this weekend that celebrates Cortez?

ANSWER: Uh, YEAH!
🤩👍🥳

(CREA encourages you to support local businesses by Shopping & Dining while in town for all these amazing events - check out all the details and make your plans for Friday & Saturday, May 1 & 2!)

🟠1st Annual Heritage Days with Montezuma Heritage Museum!
Make sure to check out the FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS for this inagural weekend including the Local Exhibitor Fair featuring demonstrations and family-friendly activities:
https://montezumamuseum.org/events-2/

Here are just a few of the activities with our local business community as well:

🟢SONGS OF CORTEZ at ZU Gallery
https://www.facebook.com/share/1DBhd8fVfq/

🟡HERITAGE DAYS BOUTIQUE BINGO with Merriweather Home + Market, Love on a Hanger, Patina Trails Mercantile and supported by other local businesses
https://www.facebook.com/share/17RJ7WaXAt/

🟤HISTORIC WALKING TOURS with Cortez Historic Preservation
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cortez-historic-preservation-board-121076208969

🔵WILD WEST GHOST TOURS with Cortez Tours
https://www.facebook.com/share/18H3n9Kg6Q/
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FeMjXPswD/

🟣CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION with Esmeralda's Ranchito

We'll see you in Cortez, Colorado May 1 and 2!


City Hall of Cortez, Colorado
LOR Foundation

03/30/2026

IT'S TIME TO SAVE THE DATES!!

Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, the City Hall of Cortez, Colorado/Cortez Recreation Center) and Sponsor First National Bank, Cortez are proud to announce our THIRD THURSDAYS CORTEZ DOWNTOWN MARKET 2026 SEASON!

Join us in Montezuma Park at the corner of Market & Montezuma in Cortez for this annual Outdoor Market featuring live music, vendors, dancing, food & drink, giveaways and community fun!

5:00pm-8:00pm
June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17

Bring the family, bring a friend, bring a blanket or chairs, and enjoy – we have an incredible and diverse line-up of music for the season! Explore a variety of vendor booths with unique items to sell and community information to share including City Departments and kids activities. Sample delicious brews, bites and beverages throughout the evening. Third Thursdays Cortez Downtown Markets have become a community gathering like no other each June through September.

In support of , we’re proud to have KRTZ Radio with us again this year for the Kelly Turner on the Radio Live Remote Broadcasts from the Park. Our for tourism and lodging, Mesa Verde Country, Colorado, will be there with CREA to offer local information and fun giveaways.

Make a day or a stay of it! Help support local businesses by visiting our many retail shops and restaurants while in Cortez. Check out lodging opportunities in our beautiful area as well as other activities and sites to plan an extended visit.

Being a Third Thursdays retail or information vendor is a great way to showcase your local business or organization, create new customers, and enjoy terrific music and community spirit! The City of Cortez Parks & Rec Team is organizing our vendors this season. To reserve your space and review the new vendor packet visit:
cortezco.gov/FormCenter/Events-14/Third-Thursdays-Vendor-Application-2026-114

Did You Know? If you are a Cortez-based business, CREA may cover your cost to be a Third Thursdays vendor. You can also leave business cards, menus, flyers or other marketing materials at our CREA Cortez Business Information table. Email CREA to learn more: [email protected]

For 3rd Thursdays general information visit:
shopcortez.com/third-thursdays/

Watch for music announcements and further details for our opening event - and mark your calendars to SAVE THE DATES for the season.

See you all in June!
🥳🤩🎼🎉


Cortez Recreation Center
WildEdge Brewing Collective and Coffee