Summer Institutes Connect Cortez Students with Career Training | LOR Foundation
Complete Economy

Summer Institutes Connect Cortez Students with Career Training

  • Local Champion: Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative
  • Date Funded: February 27, 2025
  • Grant Amount: $6,750

When the Montezuma-Cortez School District decided not to renew its membership with the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, local high school students faced losing access to valuable summer institutes that provide hands-on career training in construction, health care, and environmental fields. After seeing how these programs had already transformed students’ educational paths, one staff member with the collaborative came up with an idea to maintain access for Cortez students. LOR’s funding helped cover the participation fees for 15 Cortez High School students to attend the summer institutes, ensuring Cortez students could still learn about and prepare for in-demand careers.

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

Contact our community officer in Cortez. Meet Nicci Crowley
More Economy Solutions
Economy / Cortez Barn Quilts Bring New Energy and Foot Traffic to Downtown Cortez
Local Champion:
Two Cortez locals
Date funded:
May 14, 2026
Grant Amount:
$3,118
Economy / Libby Local Promotion Helps Libby’s Farmers Market Adjust to Its New Downtown Location
Local Champion:
Farmers Market at Libby
Date funded:
April 30, 2026
Grant Amount:
$1,450
Economy / Cortez Food Preservation Classes Build Skills and Small Businesses in Cortez
Local Champion:
Montezuma County Extension Office
Date funded:
April 28, 2026
Grant Amount:
$9,430
Economy / Cortez A Digital Sign Puts Cortez Animal Programs on the Map
Local Champion:
Obe's Angels
Date funded:
April 22, 2026
Grant Amount:
$2,000
Economy / Cortez Anniversary Celebrations Rekindle Cortez’s History and Heritage
Local Champion:
Montezuma County Historical Society
Date funded:
April 8, 2026
Grant Amount:
$9,867
Economy / Cortez Workshops Bring New Skills to Cortez’s Literary Community
Local Champion:
Four Corners Writers
Date funded:
April 8, 2026
Grant Amount:
$1,800

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.