An Art Contest and Brochure Bridge the Gap Between Ranchers and Recreationists in Cortez

Public lands around Cortez are shared by ranchers and recreational users, whose interactions have at times led to misunderstandings and tension. With the aim of building better relationships and with the backing of local farmers and ranchers, one Montelores Coalition staffer came up with a solution. LOR’s funding helped the Montelores Coalition host a community art contest celebrating the cultural, historical, and ecological values of ranching on public lands. With LOR’s support, the group then used the winning pieces to create an educational brochure developed with input from both ranchers and recreationists. The brochure will be distributed to local businesses, tourist attractions, and public land offices, improving mutual understanding and fostering cooperation among all public lands users.

This project is fiscally sponsored by Onward! A Legacy Foundation.