A Glow-In-The-Dark Art Installation Turns Cortez’s Sometimes Scary Alleys Into Must-Sees | LOR Foundation
Complete Economy

A Glow-In-The-Dark Art Installation Turns Cortez’s Sometimes Scary Alleys Into Must-Sees

  • Local Champion: Cortez Rotary Club
  • Date Funded: October 11, 2022
  • Grant Amount: $9,005

Cortez, Colorado’s wide downtown alleys have the potential to be great pedestrian thoroughfares—and the fact that they back up against many restaurant patios make them prime for activation. Trouble is, these alleys aren’t exactly, erm, inviting—especially after dark. So Cortez’s Rotary Club came up with a creative solution: Involve the community, including Indigenous artists, in the creation of murals made with fluorescent paint that glow in the dark. The art installation not only makes the alleys a point of interest during the day, but light by lights from across the street, also creates a more visible and safer walkway at night. LOR’s support will help with the cost of materials, artists stipends, marketing, and opening night food and drink expenses.

This project is fiscally sponsored by Onward! A Legacy Foundation

In The News

Rotary Club to Reveal First Art-in-the-Alleyways Project in Cortez (Cortez Journal)

Contact our community officer in Cortez. Meet Nicci Crowley
More Economy Solutions
Economy / Lander Updated Computers Restore Reliable Technology Access at Lander Library
Local Champion:
Lander Library Friends Association
Date funded:
December 9, 2025
Grant Amount:
$16,018
Economy / Questa Highway Banners Boost Visibility for Questa Businesses
Local Champion:
Questa Economic Development Fund
Date funded:
December 9, 2025
Grant Amount:
$3,850
Economy / Questa Sponsored Content Spotlights Local Businesses and Nonprofits in Questa
Local Champion:
Questa del Rio News
Date funded:
December 9, 2025
Grant Amount:
$10,000
Economy / Questa ‘Shop Local’ Campaign Keeps Dollars Circulating in Questa
Local Champion:
Questa Economic Development Fund
Date funded:
December 9, 2025
Grant Amount:
$8,500
Economy / Lander Historical Mural Revitalizes West End of Downtown Lander
Local Champion:
The Bossert Collective
Date funded:
December 8, 2025
Grant Amount:
$10,000
Economy / Lander Pet Pantry Helps Lander Residents Keep Their Animals During Financial Hardship
Local Champion:
Lander Pet Connection Awarded
Date funded:
December 3, 2025
Grant Amount:
$15,700

Share an Idea

If you have an idea for improving quality of life in Cortez or Monte Vista, Colorado; Lander, Wyoming; Libby, Montana; Questa or Taos, New Mexico; or Weiser, Idaho, use this form to start a conversation with us.

"*" indicates required fields