If small-town life in a beautiful rural setting is your dream, Cortez, Colorado, may be just the place for you. With a population of fewer than 9,000 people and a median home value of just over $200,000, Cortez could be a great place for you to find a job, retire, or even work remotely. The benefits of living in Cortez have helped the city increase in population by about 1.5 percent each year.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of the San Juan Mountains and just minutes away from awe-inspiring national monuments and parks like Mesa Verde, Cortez is the place to live if you love outdoor adventures and exploring history and culture. There are numerous Ancestral Puebloan sites within easy driving distance from Cortez, plus natural areas, preserves, hiking and biking trails, birding, camping, and so much more.
Cortez Weather
One thing to consider when you’re looking for a new place to live is what the weather will be like. Located in Southwest Colorado at an elevation of 6,177 feet, Cortez will have cooler summers and colder winters than someplace like Tucson, Arizona, for example. It receives an average of 33 inches of snow per year, just enough for snowshoeing, heading to area ski resorts, and making snow people to decorate your yard. Winter lows average in the mid teens while the average summer high temperatures are in the mid to high 80s. If you enjoy having four seasons without extremes, Cortez is right for you!
Employment in Cortez
The largest employer in the Cortez area is the healthcare industry. Other employment opportunities are in retail, the tourism industry, education, government (Cortez is the county seat of Montezuma County), and in the oil and gas industry. Cortez is also a great place to live if you work remotely because you’ll bring your job with you!
Things to Do In and Around Cortez
As we mentioned, outdoor activities are some of the most popular things for visitors and residents alike to enjoy. Hiking, mountain or road biking, rock climbing, camping, birding, snowsports, fishing, hunting, ATVing, and exploring the numerous parks and monuments in the area can keep you busy for a lifetime.
If more sedate activities are your style, Cortez has plenty of city parks where you can experience the outdoors without being too adventurous. Of course, you can enjoy shopping, eating out, visiting a local brewpub, art galleries, and museums.
The Cortez Cultural Center hosts Native American dance demonstrations Tuesdays through Saturdays starting in June each year and the Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival in May for those looking to add to the life lists. You may even spot Colorado’s state bird, the lark bunting!
Cortez hosts other events you can visit if you decide to move to this lovely area. Enjoy monthly art rambles, the weekly farmers market, and annual events such as hot air ballooning, a rodeo, a Celtic festival, and music festivals. Like any small town, there’s a strong feeling of community here and as a resident, you’re welcome to get involved and help make things happen or just enjoy the fruits of your neighbors’ labor. Check out the Cortez calendar of events here.
Visiting National Parks and Monuments Near Cortez
Cortez is the hub for visiting or even volunteering at some of the Four Corners’ most iconic national parks and monuments. The largest, and the first created to preserve human history, is Mesa Verde National Park. Canyon of the Ancients National Monument is just 10 miles west of Cortez. Both preserve the history of the Ancestral Puebloan people who lived here long ago. Also within easy driving distance are Hovenweep National Monument and Yucca House National Monument. Make a day of it and drive on the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway.
Neighborhoods of Cortez
Cortez was founded in the late 1880s as a home for workmen creating a complex irrigation system to bring water from the Dolores River into the Montezuma Valley for agriculture. That means you can expect both historic homes in the older parts of town along with newer developments. Read our article about the neighborhoods of Cortez to learn more about housing opportunities in this beautiful little town.
All in all, if you love the outdoors and exploring history and would feel at home in a small community, Cortez could be just the home you’re seeking!
