Community Meetings Empower Cortez Locals to Grow Their Voices

Montezuma County is one of 16 regional “teams” participating in the Colorado Department of Local Affairs’ Roadmaps Project, a state-funded initiative to support the recovery of rural communities from the coronavirus pandemic. As a part of their efforts, local community members and leaders identified five critical areas of need: the economy and local workforce, agriculture and food, climate and natural hazards, housing, and community health. However, meaningful community engagement around these issues has been challenging; many Cortez residents continue to express feeling like their voices aren’t heard in important local decisions. To address this gap, one staff member with the Montezuma Leadership Network wanted to make community participation in the project more accessible and rewarding. LOR’s funding helped Montezuma Leadership Network rent a space and purchase food and other supplies for a series of community meetings. LOR’s funding also helped the group pay participating community members a small stipend, ensuring local voices shape Cortez’s post-pandemic recovery and growth.

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