Security Improvements Protect Students at Lewis-Arriola Elementary | LOR Foundation
Complete Education

Security Improvements Protect Students at Lewis-Arriola Elementary

  • Local Champion: Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1
  • Date Funded: December 5, 2023
  • Grant Amount: $21,618

The first week of school is supposed to be filled with festivity and excitement. For students and staff at Cortez’s Lewis-Arriola Elementary, the second day of the year was instead consumed by fear and suspense as a high-speed chase ensued near the school. As staff tried to relay information to classrooms and the playground, they realized that the elementary’s aging building, which has no PA system, lacked the security measures necessary to keep students and staff safe. An audit revealed that the school needed to invest in a number of new precautions like additional cameras and front office security curtains. With more than $20,000 in looming upgrades, staff reached out to the LOR Foundation for assistance. LOR’s funding will help Lewis-Arriola Elementary purchase and install four new doors, a wireless PA system, and other security equipment to make sure that the school is what it should be—a safe place for fun and learning.

Contact our community officer in Cortez. Meet Nicci Crowley
More Education Solutions
Education / Weiser Light and Sound Equipment Puts Weiser Students in the Spotlight
Local Champion:
Snake River Heritage Center
Date funded:
May 19, 2026
Grant Amount:
$10,000
Education / Cortez Furniture Expands Local Ag Meetings in Cortez
Local Champion:
Montezuma County Extension Office
Date funded:
April 28, 2026
Grant Amount:
$5,955
Education / Cortez Chairs Turn a Cortez School’s Outdoor Spaces into Classrooms
Local Champion:
Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1
Date funded:
April 17, 2026
Grant Amount:
$6,290
Education / Cortez Free Music Classes Give Cortez Kids a Hands-On Introduction
Local Champion:
ZU Arts Initiative
Date funded:
April 16, 2026
Grant Amount:
$7,000
Education / Weiser Free Self-Defense Classes Build Confidence for Weiser Youth
Local Champion:
Friends of the Chamber of Commerce
Date funded:
March 30, 2026
Grant Amount:
$9,975
Education / Lander Sewing Equipment Expands Culturally Important Recovery Program at White Buffalo
Local Champion:
Wind River Family and Community Health Care
Date funded:
March 30, 2026
Grant Amount:
$3,628

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

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.