SPOTLIGHT ON CORTEZ
Elevation: 6,194
Population: 7,977
Percentage 65 and older: 16.4 (national rate: 12.4)
Percentage under age 5 : 7.8 (national rate: 6.8)
Percentage high school graduates: 80.1 (national rate: 80.4)
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.8 (national rate: 24.4)
Median value single-family home: $93,400 (national rate: $119,600)
County: Montezuma County seat
Name: The town was named by James W. Hanna for the 16th-century Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico. Hanna was an early landowner and president of Montezuma Valley Water Supply Co.
Established: 1886; incorporated 1902
Brief history: From about 600 through 1300, the area was inhabited by Anasazi Indians who eventually built stone villages in the canyon walls, now known as the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings.
The first Navajo and Ute Indians moved to the area in the 14th and 15th centuries, and during the 1760s, the Spanish explored the area looking for an easy route through the mountains.
Settlers moved to the area in the 1870s to mine gold and silver. In 1886, the town of Cortez was platted by M.J. Mack, an engineer for the Montezuma Valley Water Supply company.
In 1889, when La Plata County was divided, the western portion became Montezuma County and the town of Cortez was designated the county seat.
Diverting water from the Dolores River Basin to the San Juan River Basin provided the county with water needed to sustain agricultural. Cortez received water from the Dolores River in July 1888 by way of a series of diversion tunnels, canals and flumes. A large well was dug in the street at the intersection of Main and Market, and on July 4, 1890, Cortez got its first running water.
Economy: Cortez’s economy is based mainly on tourism and some crops such as beans, alfalfa and hay. Downtown Cortez has several historic buildings. Trade with the Navajo and Ute tribes has played a significant role in the area’s economy.
Mesa Verde: Located about 9 miles west of Cortez, Mesa Verde became the first national park on June 29, 1906. There will be a series of special events and programs throughout the year.
Sources: Cortez Cultural Center; Cortez Chamber of Commerce; National Park Service (nps.gov/meve/); City of Cortez (www.cityofcortez.com/index.shtml); Mesas Verde Centennial organization (http://mesaverde2006.org/); “Colorado Place Names” by William Bright; “1001 Colorado Place Names” by Maxine Benson; Denver Post archives; U.S. Census Bureau 2000; USGS
REGIONAL NOTES
ARVADA
Bone-marrow drive set Tuesday
The sixth annual D.J. Dimas bone-marrow registry drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Arvada City Hall, 8101 Ralston Road.
The city and the Bonfils Colorado Marrow Donor Program are sponsoring the drive.
Dimas was stricken with leukemia in 2000 but was unable to find a donor and died in 2001.
People ages 18-60 who are in good health can register by filling out a form, taking a blood test and paying the $30 fee. For more information, call 303-363-2342 or 720-898-7500.
AURORA
City hosts free party as it turns 115
Aurora will be celebrating its 115th birthday with a free party April 30 at the Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway, from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be a train ride, face painting, games, Aurora Bingo and birthday cake.
For more information, call 303-739-6666.
