Community Stories

When the starting blocks at the city pool fell into disrepair, Cortez's local swim club's existence was uncertain. With LOR’s support the club upgraded the pool, which helped the team stay afloat and brought an economic boon to Cortez.

When Laura Herrick realized how many plastic bags were being used in Cortez, she devised a plan to reduce the number by at least half, with a little help from LOR.

Nearly a quarter century after it first opened, the Lewis-Arriola Community Center needed a little love to remain an essential community asset. With a little help from the LOR and others, the volunteer-run gathering space is ready for the next generation of celebrants.

Childcare options were already limited in Lander when COVID-19 forced some centers to close, leaving more than 100 families without reliable childcare. So a few locals got together to create a new option and—with LOR's help—expand their facility to accommodate more kids.

Retaining young workers was hard even before the pandemic, but a few Lander locals saw an opportunity to bring young professionals together—building a stronger community and new generation of leaders in the process.

Taos Municipal Schools is debuting dedicated relaxation spaces for teachers who have confronted staff shortages, enormous workloads, and a flood of pandemic-related disruptions.

Lander veterinarian Lannie Hamilton knew spay and neuter programs could reduce feral cat populations by as much as 99 percent—she just needed a little LOR help to get started.

The new community garden's 11 plots, supported with funding from LOR, will be ready for planting this spring.

As Taos nonprofits confronted staff shortages, nine organizations teamed up to pursue federal funding that provides relief to the community-serving organizations.

With Lander's art scene struggling amidst the pandemic, one local had an idea: establish a creative district that could benefit the entire community.

All that Cortez's Southwest Open School needed to launch its new bike mechanic program was a shop. That's where LOR came in.

Responding to a statewide decline in the number of farms, CWC's farm incubator program equips young and developing farmers with the skills they’ll need to succeed.

After decades of use without major renovation, VFW Post 954 was showing its age. Here’s how its local leadership—with support from LOR—created a space that the entire Lander community can use.

With winter on the horizon and a surplus of wood on hand, local organizations connect elderly Taos County residents with the firewood they need.

A new craft-beverage initiative in Cortez aims to help create career pathways for young people.

Through its Acequia Aquí series, the Paseo Project shares the legacy—and fragility—of the historic waterways that once brought life to Taos’ fields, gardens, and orchards.

Lander’s pilot Speedgoat Market connects consumers to producers—and has opened the door to countywide expansion through a potential $400,000 USDA grant. 

When the Town of Taos stopped recycling plastic, a group of locals created an innovative solution: turning waste into walls. With a little help from the LOR Foundation, they’re poised to make a dent in the overflowing plastic.

To fill a summer activities gap created by COVID-19 and budget cuts, nearly two dozen members of the Lander community are leading summer workshops and camps for area residents, thanks to a little boost from LOR.

Thanks to a bigger refrigerator, the Community Meal at United Methodist Church now feeds more than 100 people per week.

Inspired by what he saw unfolding outside his window, one Lander resident was moved to create a citywide demonstration of gratitude for healthcare workers—and you can contribute too!

Informed by the experiences of five Taos businesses, this handbook can help rural merchants launch online stores.

Spurred by COVID-19 concerns, LOR helps the Lander community bring a bevy of shop local initiatives to life, including a winter pop-up market that’s easy to replicate with a new, downloadable LOR toolkit.

With food insecurity growing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, an accessible and free pantry is helping to alleviate hunger.

This northern New Mexico village’s new firewood processor will help build an economy around forest health and support essential community programs.

Using a Habitat for Humanity model, a small Wyoming group coordinates volunteer crews to help repair veterans’ homes.

As communities across the rural Mountain West race the clock to ensure a complete census count, the LOR Foundation commits $100,000 in Instagrant™ funding to help them.

A revolving loan fund helps legacy families fix and rent their historic homes, adds affordable housing, creates jobs, and draws-in newcomers to the community.

Offering career training, small business support, and wrap-around services, HIVE garners national attention as it applies for federal funding and helps a rural economy go digital.

An art exhibition in Taos brought life and vibrancy back to main street during the worst of the pandemic—and the tradition will continue in a new space today.

Taos MainStreet pairs local businesses with web developers to launch or improve their e-commerce capabilities in response to COVID-19.

An emerging platform helps volunteers to address food security, shelter, and meet other community needs in the wake of the pandemic.

Farmers and outdoor enthusiasts partner to build trails for recreation and economic growth in the San Luis Valley.

Unexpected alliances help Taoseños protect drinking water, vital food sources, and adapt to life with wildfires.