The City of Cortez is preparing for the holiday season and the new year with important updates. From office closures to sales tax changes, job opportunities, and a citywide food drive, we’re committed to keeping residents informed and engaged.
Holiday Office Closures & Emergency Services
City offices will observe holiday closures during the upcoming season. While administrative offices will be closed, emergency services remain fully available to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. Montezuma-Cortez dispatch is available for critical emergencies and unplanned events such as outages.
Notice: City Hall will close at 12:00 p.m. each Friday.
City Council Schedule
There will be no City Council meeting on December 23. Regular meetings will resume in January.
Sales Tax Updates
The City of Cortez is moving forward with the implementation of the revised Sales & Use Tax rate, with an anticipated effective date of January 1, 2026. This process requires careful coordination across multiple systems and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition for businesses, residents, and state partners. If you have questions, please contact the Cortez Finance Department at 970-564-4006

Community Engagement
The City of Cortez encourages all residents to take an active role in local government. Whether attending meetings, participating in events, or sharing feedback, your voice helps shape the future of our community. Looking ahead, four City Council seats will be up for election on April 7, 2026. Nomination petition packets will be available beginning January 6. For more information, please visit cortezco.gov/elections
Employment Opportunities
Start the new year with a fresh opportunity—consider joining the City of Cortez team. Open positions across departments provide a chance to serve your community while building a rewarding career.
Food Drive Collection Sites
All city buildings will serve as collection sites for the community food drive. We invite residents to contribute non-perishable items to help support local families in need during the holiday season.
Holiday Refuse Schedule
Please note that refuse collection will follow a modified holiday schedule. Residents are encouraged to check the posted holiday schedule for specific pickup dates to avoid missed service. To ensure pickup, place your polycarts out a day earlier than your scheduled collection day. Recycling services will not run the weeks of Dec. 22 and Dec. 29th.
For questions, please call 970‑565‑7320. https://www.cortezco.gov/218/Refuse
Cortez 140th Anniversary
Looking ahead to 2026, Cortez will celebrate its 140th anniversary. To honor this milestone, commemorative logos have been created and are available for use by the community. Residents, businesses, and organizations are welcome to incorporate these logos into retail merchandising, social media, and websites to showcase pride in our city’s history.
https://www.cortezco.gov/971/Cortez-140