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Explore Cortez, CO

Cortez has been a Colorado secret for some time now. Known mostly for ancient Native American dwellings at Mesa Verde, the wealth of hiking, mountain biking, cycling, and climbing is less talked about. Mountain biking in particular has flourished in Cortez, thanks to a dedicated community of cyclists. Likewise, hikers have worked on creating an excellent network of trails that highlight both the history and the adventure of the land.

Trail runners have found the dry, clean air in Cortez the perfect place to train (the 6,000 ft. elevation is also a draw for athletes). This is far from being just a gateway to several national parks; Cortez has a great deal of adventure right in town. Combining local outdoors sports with historical tours make this one of the best places to spend a long weekend in Colorado.

Cortez, a community near the Four Corners (where the borders of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet), offers a wide variety of restaurants ranging from fast food to gourmet. Many of the exceptional trading posts in the area date back for generations and have helped make Cortez a trading center for more than 1,000 years.

Transportation

Located in southwest Colorado, Cortez is easily accessible by land and air. The Cortez Municipal Airport accommodates both commercial and private aircraft. Cortez is within a days drive of major metropolitan cities in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Highways 160, 145, and 491 come directly through town. It is also only 75 miles from Telluride and 45 miles from Durango. Having a car is imperative for getting around Cortez. Taxi and ride-share service is available.

In Cortez, the summers are warm and mostly clear, the winters are cold and partly cloudy, and it is dry year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 15°F to 87°F and is rarely below 2°F or above 94°F.

Best Time To Go

The best time of year to visit Cortez for warm-weather activities is from late June to late August.

Things To Do

In the Words of Our Guests

  • Everything about this house met or exceeded our expectations.  No surprises from the description.  Very clean, quiet, comfortable, and well maintained – and just a pleasant home to return to each night and start the next day.  Homeowner checked in by text to provide local guidance to stores, restaurants, etc., and was quick to respond to our questions.  We definitely recommend this house.

    Kristy R. | Anchorage, AK