Cortez Colorado, CO

Located in Montezuma County Colorado, Cortez serves as the county seat. With a year round population of nearly 8,000, this friendly little western town depends heavily on tourism as the basis for their economy. Set between the spectacular mountains and the painted desert, Cortez has a variety of activities for visitors.

Located just a couple of hours to the southwest of Telluride, Colorado, you will find the little community of Cortez, Colorado. Uniquely located between the Rocky Mountain Regions of the state and the desert areas, Cortez has numerous outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.

Cortez and the surrounding area is an area of cultural diversity giving visitors and residents alike the opportunity to learn about the ancient inhabitants of the area. The Mesa Verde National Park, featuring old Indian cliff dwellings, is situated southeast of Cortez. In addition, the community is also close to San Juan National Forest. The Bureau of Land Management manages other lands in the area including Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, and the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation and the Navajo Indian Reservation.

Take a day trip to Cortez while visiting Telluride or make a stop there on your way to or from Telluride and experience historic Native American Culture.