Nestled in the south-west corner of Colorado, Cortez serves as the seat of Montezuma County. It was originally established in 1886 to house workers responsible for diverting water from the Dolores River. Named after the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortez, Cortez is renowned for its prehistoric sites and its accessibility to Monument Valley.
Things to do in Cortez
In the heart of town is the Cortez Cultural Center, which occupies an early-20th-century building decorated with a mural of a traditional pueblo. Its exhibits explore the region’s Native American cultures, with archaeological findings and interpretive displays about the Basketmaker and Pueblo periods. Changing art exhibitions and cultural dance performances also take place here.
Cortez is located along the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, which connected settlements around modern-day Santa Fe with those of Los Angeles. It combines trails established by Indigenous peoples with those carved out by Spanish explorers and traders, many of which pass through pristine desert landscapes. The trails in south-west Colorado are associated with the 18th-century explorer, Juan Maria de Rivera.
The most popular green space in Cortez is Parque de Vida, which encompasses sporting facilities, a children’s playground and a BMX track. You can spot birdlife around the central pond or catch a live performance in the outdoor amphitheatre. Adjacent to the park is the Cortez Municipal Swimming Pool and the Welcome Center, where you’ll find information on things to see and do in the area.
Getting around Cortez
Cortez Municipal Airport is a 10-minute drive from the town centre and has regular flights to Denver and Phoenix. Long-distance buses connect from destinations across Colorado to Cortez and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.