News Flash

Cortez Municipal Airport sits at 5,914 feet above sea level between Mesa Verde National Park and Ute Mountain and provides Commercial and General Aviation services seven days a week with limited operating hours.  

Airline Travel

Denver Air Connection (https://denverairconnection.com/) provides commercial flights to Denver International Airport (https://www.flydenver.com/) and Phoenix Sky-Harbor International Airport (https://www.skyharbor.com/) and has interline agreements with both United and American Airlines. 

Please visit their website at denverairconnection.com or call 866-373-8513.

General Aviation Services

A full-service Fixed Base Operator (FBO), Cortez Flying Service, can be reached at 970-565-3721. The FBO is located at midfield. Jet-A and 100LL fuels are provided. For more information, please go to Cortez Flying Service. https://www.cortezflyingservice.com/

Runway Specifications (for operators)

The runway is a paved surface of 100 feet wide by 7,205 feet long; with pilot controlled medium intensity lighting. Unicom frequency is 122.80, monitored by the FBO during daylight hours. There are three windsocks, one at each end and at runway center; all three are lighted. A full-length parallel taxiway with four runway connectors provides maximum pilot convenience. Aircraft needing fuel beyond the regular hours should make arrangements with the flying service before arrival. 

Follow us on the Cortez Airport Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/flycez/

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Greetings from Cortez, Colorado – a friendly, welcoming community that thrives on a love of the outdoors. Why else would we be the home of Osprey packs? We think that you, your business, and your employees will find it an engaging, open, and exceptional location providing the satisfaction and quality of life that many businesses are looking for when relocating or starting fresh. 

Surrounded by the scenic high desert on the Colorado Plateau on one side, snowcapped mountains on the north and east, and the high mesa of Mesa Verde National Park on the south, plus the fish-filled Dolores River and pristine lakes, the City of Cortez is located in the heart of Ancestral Puebloan culture of southwest Colorado. Our community thrives in the center of these tremendous natural and recreational resources, and is committed to cultivating a welcoming, business-friendly environment.

Cortez is strategically positioned so businesses can access and serve the global economy. We are home to the Cortez Municipal Airport which is served by the regional commercial air service provider Denver Air Connection. Conveniently located, Cortez has highway transportation options to Phoenix, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, and Denver. As the telecommunications center for the region, Cortez offers world class telecommunications and high-capacity fiber optic options. The City of Cortez and its regional and state economic development partners work in concert to make it easy for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as large companies, to discover our local resources and establish healthy foundations for success.

Not only does Cortez offer diverse regional attributes, but it is also a tight-knit community actively supported by its residents. While we are a regional home to well-known brands like Osprey, Alpacka Raft, and Tuffy Security Products, we equally embrace smaller locally owned area businesses from across all industries like Muscanell Millworks, Aspen Wood Products, and Reflections in Metal. The Cortez City Council continues to work diligently to foster an environment that encourages business growth and profitability.

I invite you to evaluate the Cortez community as a place to grow your business. For more detailed information on what our community has to offer, contact the Cortez Economic Development Office at 970-564-4046.

"Our community is rich with history, ranging from the Ancient Puebloans, Diné, and Ute people who were the original inhabitants; to the homesteaders and historic settlers who later established Cortez. Many of their decedents still reside here today making our community very diverse with an influential past.  A multitude of cultural and outdoor recreational opportunities abound. Cortez is a central location for visiting our local municipal parks, the San Juan National Forest, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Phil's World mountain biking trails, the Ute Mountain Casino, and Mesa Verde National Park. There is something for everyone in Cortez! Whether you are visiting, live here seasonally, or are a long-time resident, we hope you enjoy your time here in the beautiful Montezuma Valley.”

If you would like to report a concern, complaint, or compliment please use this link:  https://www.cortezco.gov/FormCenter/Contact-Us-3/Report-a-Concern-Comment-or-Compliment-38

Thank you!

We have many excellent parks and recreation amenities available to our community, from the Cortez Recreation Center to the Conquistador Golf Course to the Outdoor Pool and surrounding parks and open space preserves. Please go outside, take a walk, run, trail ride, or play at a playground!

We also offer many classes and programs. In the last few months, we have begun offering several new classes in the Recreation Center. Boy's Basketball is opening soon, as well as Adult Co-ed Volleyball. There are other opportunities too. Please flip through our web pages to find other programs to enjoy. 

We are in a building phase. The pandemic left us thin on staffing, programming, and opportunities. In early 2022, we have begun to emerge and grow. Staffing levels have slowly risen, extending the Rec Center hours and increasing class offerings. One significant challenge continues to be the recruitment of lifeguards, which has limited pool hours and programming. Despite the challenges, we continue to offer more to the community. 

I look forward to building community, encouraging health and fitness, and inspiring fun and access to parks and open spaces!

Creighton Wright 

Parks and Recreation Director

We ask that you use the information found on this site responsibly. 

The Cortez Police Department is committed to a community engagement philosophy. We believe in working in collaboration with residents to reduce crime and enhance the quality of life in our city. The Mission of the Cortez Police Department is "To enhance the partnership between businesses, citizens, and the police by providing responsive and professional services." Our Vision is "To deliver unparalleled service to our community through strengthened community relationships and public trust. Our values are Professionalism, Integrity, Compassion, and Service. 

Our department website is another way the Cortez Police Department seeks to engage the community, provide transparency, and improve and enhance the already positive relationship between the community and the police department. Working in partnership with the community, we can proactively reduce crime, support victim recovery, and hold offenders accountable. Together we can improve the quality of life and reduce crime in our great city. 

I invite you to tour our pages and welcome any comments you may have. 

Thank you,  Vernon Knuckles, Chief of Police 

With Garden In A Box's collection of starter plants, plant-by-number maps, and plant care guides, low-water landscaping doesn't have to be intimidating. Pre-order in March for pickup and planting in June.

You pick up the pre-ordered plants at your selected pickup event, then take them home and plant them according to the maps. Follow the watering guidelines and seasonal care for your garden, then spend all the time (and money) you save simply enjoying the summer.

How it Works: 

Plant low-water plants according to the planting map. 

The Garden In A Box program offers two times to purchase gardens during the gardening season:

Pre-order in March for pickup and planting in June.

Pre-order in June for pickup and planting in August and September

Join the interest list for all 2026 Resource Central Garden season news and updates, or contact Noah Petersen at the Cortez Service Center for more information. 

The City of Cortez invites community members to attend a series of Ballot Question Breakdown events. These sessions are designed to help residents understand the ballot questions for the April 7, 2026 election.

Thursday, February 26  

12 to 1 p.m.  

Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce

20 West Main Street

This session takes place over the lunch hour and offers a helpful way to learn more about the upcoming ballot questions.

Thursday, March 19  

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  

Cortez Public Library

202 North Park Street

Thursday, March 26  

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  

Cortez Public Library

202 North Park Street

These events are open to all Cortez residents who want to stay informed and engaged in the election process.  A sample ballot is available for review in the Elections tab here on the City of Cortez website.  A paper version is also available for review at Cortez City Hall. 123 Roger Smith Avenue in Cortez, CO. 

We are excited to announce the next session of our Whistle Ready! Lifeguard prep program. Get a head start on your summer job now. Teens must be 15 years old by March 29, 2026.

Classes will start February 25th at 4:45-5:30pm. 

Classes will be each Wednesday night through March 18th. Make sure you sign up for this FREE lifeguard prep program by February 24th!

And don't miss the Summer Seasonal Hiring Job Fair!

Friday, March 20, 2026

11am - Cortez Recreational Center 

425 Roger Smith Avenue, Cortez CO