Cortez 140
In 2026 the City of Cortez will observe the anniversary of three important events – the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s entrance into the Union as an official State, and the 140th anniversary of the platting of Cortez.
Download the Cortez 140 Logo
Businesses, nonprofits, local agencies, and community members are invited to use the official commemorative logo for Cortez 140 for their own marketing and promotional materials through the 2026 year.
Download the logo at the links below. Potential phrases to add:
- 1886 - 2026, Celebrating 140 Years of history
- More than 140 years of history
Click Here to Download the Cortez 140 Logo Pack
*Files will also be on record at local print shops: Brand Central & Pioneer Printing.
Click Here to Download the Cortez 140 Merchandise Pack
The Merchandise Pack includes horizontal and vertical designs, as well as a smaller graphic. All designs come in full color, black, and white.
Click Here to Download the complete Cortez 140 Logo Pack
Includes both the Logo and Merchandise Packs
The Cortez 140 Logo were designed by Nicholas Arbogast of Verde Design LLC.
History
In 2026 the United State of America is celebrating its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and has set up an advisory council aimed “to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation.” More information about this initiative can be found at: https://america250.org/.
The State of Colorado is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its entrance into the Union. The State has put together a commission, along with regional committees, working to encourage community events, and other ways to celebrate the anniversary. More information about the statewide initiative can be found at: https://www.historycolorado.org/colorado-150, and for the southwest region events at: https://www.colorado150southwest.org/.
The City of Cortez was platted in 1886, 140 years ago in 2026. With recognition of the rich history of peoples that lived in this area for thousands of years prior to 1886, the City wishes to celebrate our shared heritage and history and to capitalize on the exposure that the United States and Colorado will be enjoying in 2026.
Commemorative Logo Design Competition
To mark the special occasions in 2026, the City of Cortez held a design contest for a new commemorative logo. Artists were asked to design a logo with the following criteria: have a striking design but easily recognizable; visually appealing on both small and large scales as well as in black, white or full color; unique while unmistakably from the City of Cortez, reproducible in a variety of material types, including stickers, murals, tshirts, etc.; square or circular in shape, avoiding long, stretched-out designs; and to ideally highlight the unique heritage of Cortez and the surrounding area including the extensive history of peoples who have lived in region for centuries.
A committee made up of City employees, representatives from the Historic Preservation Board and Public Arts Advisory Committee, a City council member, and Cortez Retail Enhancement Association and Mesa Verde Country chose the winning designs. The winning design will be recreated in several formats and available for free download for use by community members and businesses.
Nicholas Arbogast, 1st Place
From the artist: A simple design, made to tell a story.
- Landscape Imagery - This logo focuses on the beautiful landscape surrounding Cortez, Colorado. The Ute Mountain in the background, Mesa Verde in the foreground, and the start of the red canyon walls of McElmo Canyon.
- Square shape - The rough outline of the State of Colorado
- The Star - It approximates the location of Cortez on the map of Colorado .
- The colors - Inspired by the desert sunsets of southwest Colorado. These are the colors found in the region.
- Typeface - Similar to the typeface found on the city of Cortez website.
- Responsive Logo - This logo is designed to adapt and maintain its visual identity across various sizes and applications, easily recognizably and clarity whether displayed on a website, a small mobile screen, or a large billboard.
Nicholas is a designer with Verde Design LLC. You can learn more about his work and company at: verdedesignllc.com.
Sylis Eckhart, 2nd Place
From the artist: This logo celebrates Cortez, Colorado’s 140th anniversary in 2026 while also giving a nod to two big milestones: 150 years of Colorado statehood and 250 years since the founding of the United States. The phrases “Celebrating 140 Years,” “Cortez Colorado 1886–2026,” “Colorado 1876,” and “America 1776” help connect Cortez’s history to both our state and national histories.
- The focal point of the design is a circle split into four quadrants, each showing something meaningful about Cortez and what makes it special.
- The first section features a mesa visible from town, towards Mesa Verde National Park. It’s a familiar sight and a symbol of the local landscape.
- The next section shows side roll irrigation on farmland—a staple in the area and a symbol of the hard work and resourcefulness that keep Cortez thriving. Agriculture has long been a backbone of the local economy, and this piece reflects that ongoing connection to the land.
- The bottom left shows Cortez City Hall with the Colorado flag out front, representing civic and state pride, and the role the city plays today as a hub for the region.
- Next to it is an image of a Kiva inside a cliff dwelling, representing Mesa Verde, and highlighting the deep cultural history of the ancestral Puebloans and the stories still held in the cliffs of the National Park.
Altogether, this logo is a tribute to the people, the landscape, and the history that define Cortez. It honors where we’ve come from, what we’re a part of, and what we’re still building together.
Sylis is a designer with Studio Quality 970. You can learn more about his work and company at: www.studioquality970.com.
Michael Grove, 3rd Place
From the artist: This design celebrates 140 years of Cortez with a clean and timeless look. It incorporates the purple from the current city logo as a nod to continuity and identity. The Colorado state flag is prominently featured to reflect local pride and unity. The years 1886 and 2026 mark the city's 140th anniversary, honoring its past while looking ahead. A simple silhouette of the mountain range visible from East Main Street grounds the design in the local landscape, making it instantly recognizable to those who know and love Cortez.
Jesus Ruiz
From the artist: The logo I created for Cortez, Colorado’s 140th Platting Anniversary is a visual celebration of the city’s rich history, cultural depth, and natural beauty. At the heart of the design are two iconic landforms: Ute Mountain and Mesa Verde. These features are geographically significant symbols of the region’s Indigenous heritage and historical depth. Ute Mountain honors the Ute people, whose presence in the Four Corners region predates the city’s founding. Mesa Verde, home to ancient cliff dwellings, represents the ancestral Puebloan peoples and the enduring legacy of their culture and architecture.
The large sun rising behind the mountains speaks to renewal, growth, and the passage of time, marking 140 years of Cortez’s evolution from a plotted town to a vibrant community. The ranging of colors symbolizes both the diverse landscapes and seasons of the region, and the harmony between nature and human settlement. Green reflects agriculture and life, while orange evokes the desert terrain and glowing sunsets Cortez is known for.
Together, these elements form a logo that connects past and present, nature and culture, honoring Cortez’s deep roots while looking toward the future. It’s a tribute to the land, the people, and the enduring spirit that define the Cortez community.
Jesus is a designer with Verde Design LLC. You can learn more about his work and company at: verdedesignllc.com or an Instagram @chuys.graphics
Susan Lisak
From the artist: A silhouette of the Sleeping Ute Mountain is in this emblem, with wings in reverse impression to give a sense of something there but hidden. Turquoise for the sky, red to enhance.
Deb Silverman
From the artist: This logo features a sunflower design that is bright and colorful and easily recognizable. Sunflowers are associated with optimism, warmth, and happiness. The sunflower turns its head to follow the sun from east to west. Cortez receives over 300 days of sun a year! I think the logo represents the positive attributes of Cortez and the surrounding environs.
Deb Silverman
From the artist: My design features iconic Southwest images: corn maidens, green chiles and a Native sun face. The lozenge shape is associated with fertility while yellow is optimistic and uplifting. My logo reflects our heritage and the warm spirit of Cortez.
Leonard LaPaz
From the artist: This logo is made to reflect Cortez’ history and highlight the beauty and culture of the region from the past to the present. First, the mesa shows the landscape of the area and underscores the natural beauty of the region. The white stripe through the blue sky mirrors the Colorado flag showing the wider community Cortez is a part of.
- The fonts used are meant to connect the past with the present. All the fonts used convey a southwestern look. The style of the font at the top of the logo showing the year 1886 gives an older southwestern feel. The script style for the words ‘City Of’ has a more modern feel to progress to today and beyond. The final font for Cortez is a font that still connects with the Southwest culture with a more timeless simple feel.
- The Kokopelli featured at the bottom of the logo offers a few meanings in this logo. Firstly, it recognizes the rich Native American and Ancestral Puebloan history of the Cortez area. The Kokopelli is also a symbol of fertility; this is to represent the fertility of the land and farms in and around Cortez.
Together, these visual elements combine to give a reflection of the beauty of Cortez. This logo captures a glimpse of both the culture and geography looking back at the rich legacy and confidently moving into the future.
Liu Ying
From the artist: I’m truly honored to be part of this design competition. My husband was born and raised in Cortez, and I’ve had the joy of visiting Cortez many times, to spend time with his family. Over the years, I’ve come to deeply appreciate and love this charming city.
- 1 & 2. These designs feature Colorado’s state flower, the Columbine, as the central element, paired with Native American patterns and meaningful text.
- 3. An oval-shaped logo that brings together the state flower, snowy mountains, Native American motifs, and text to celebrate Colorado’s natural and cultural beauty.
- 4. A clean, geometric mountain design accented with Native American elements for a bold yet respectful visual identity.
Kaley Frizzell
From the artist: I wanted to depict the rich culture of southwestern Colorado. So I included the Sleeping Ute Mountain in the background with Mesa Verde in the foreground. I also included colors such as turquoise and sandstone to express the colors of the area's culture.