Cortez’s Noxious Weeds Guide Proves the Pen Can Be Mightier Than the Thorn | LOR Foundation
Complete Water

Cortez’s Noxious Weeds Guide Proves the Pen Can Be Mightier Than the Thorn

  • Local Champion: Montezuma County
  • Date Funded: September 2, 2022
  • Grant Amount: $5,400

Montezuma County has 36 designated noxious weed species populating more than 20,000 acres of land. Trouble is, these species can easily outcompete and displace the native and/or desirable species, taking valuable water away from the water table and irrigated crops. The head of the county’s noxious weeds department reached out to LOR with a solution: Create and disseminate a noxious weeds booklet with information to help landowners identify the weeds and provide them management options. (There is a guide from the Colorado Department of Agriculture, but that includes many species that don’t exist in Cortez, making it hard for landowners to know exactly what they need to tackle on their property.) The booklet also will contain contact information for contractors in the area, herbicide information as well as re-seeding information. LOR’s funding will help print 500 copies of this guide.

Contact our community officer in Cortez. Meet Nicci Crowley
More Water Solutions
Water / Weiser Water Stations Keep Weiser Residents Hydrated Throughout Town
Local Champion:
City of Weiser
Date funded:
May 16, 2025
Grant Amount:
$18,545
Water / Cortez A High Tunnel Expands Agricultural Opportunities for New Cortez Farmers
Local Champion:
Montezuma Land Conservancy
Date funded:
April 29, 2025
Grant Amount:
$7,000
Water / Libby Water Stations Help Libby Farmers Market Visitors and Vendors Stay Hydrated
Local Champion:
Farmers Market at Libby
Date funded:
April 18, 2025
Grant Amount:
$1,500
Water / Taos Ditch Restoration Ensures Equitable Water Access for Taos Locals
Local Champion:
Several Taos locals
Date funded:
April 11, 2025
Grant Amount:
$30,000
Water / Weiser A Drip Irrigation System Preserves Weiser’s Historic Train Depot
Local Champion:
Weiser Architectural Preservation Committee
Date funded:
March 17, 2025
Grant Amount:
$3,088
Water / Cortez Educational Seminars and Garden Signs Help Cortez Residents Conserve Water
Local Champion:
Montezuma County Extension Office
Date funded:
March 13, 2025
Grant Amount:
$1,775

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.

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