An engineer for the Montezuma Valley Water Supply Co., M.J. Mack, originally built Cortez to house laborers who redirected water from the Dolores River through intricate laterals, tunnels and irrigation ditches into Montezuma Valley. Soon after, Montezuma Valley proved to grow a bountiful variety of crops that still continue today.
These days, on Saturday mornings at Elm and Main streets in Cortez, a plethora of open-walled tents create semigrids on the Montezuma County Courthouse’s parking lot. The vendors’ tents shade tables that display produce and artisan products – skin care balms, T-shirts, wooden statues, puzzles and more.
The Cortez Farmers Market will celebrate its 50th anniversary Saturday, Sept. 9, between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., while commemorating it as Colorado’s oldest, continually running farmers market, to the knowledge of Rosalind May from the Colorado Farmers Market Association.
As mentioned in a previous Journal article, Bessie White and her sister, Velma Hollen, attempted to supplement their income by selling their dryland produce on Main Street to help pay for hospital bills for White’s newborn grandson in 1973.
Since 50 years ago, their farm stand substantially grew into a variety of multiple different stands.
Julie Periman, the market manager for the past 2½ years, said Lee Hill, Hollen’s daughter, described how the market’s first years started out really small with just a few farmers who sold basic garden produce – carrots, green chilies, lettuce, spinach, bell peppers, eggplant and apricots.
“My parents have been there for about 20 years,” Periman said. “I watched it grow from not really needing a manager to needing a paid market manager.”
The market has struggled from time to time but has proved to be resilient.
At one point, Periman doesn’t remember exactly when, the market didn’t want artisans involved. So they only sold produce and the artisans set up their own craft market. Neither did well without the other. Together, the market has boomed.
The COVID years also were difficult. They lost vendors that didn’t return and had to space out to remain safe.
Periman also said the drought Montezuma County has been in for the past 10 to 15 years also contributes to their struggle.
“Last year was the worst for the dryland farmers,” she said. “Lee Hill’s water got turned off in June. If it wasn’t for the rains (this year) their water probably would have been turned off in July.”
Another struggle Periman noted is that the Market needs younger vendors since a lot of farmers are aging out.
One of their significant produce vendors retired and Periman had another vendor who recently passed away – Barbara Lynch, who lived in McElmo Canyon, sold produce at the market.
Some of the most established vendors who have been at the market between 15 and 20 years include Cecilia Berto with her pork, Ruth Wilson with pastries and bread, and Barbara Anderson with vegetables and noodles.
Other food that can be found at the market include meat such as beef, bison, chicken, lamb and pork), chili, spices, plants, freeze dried candy and fruit.
Along with vendors, the Cortez Farmers Market hosts rotating musicians and demonstrations, such as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ Grain School. They want to host more events for kids too.
Like many farmers markets, the Cortez Farmers Market participates in many programs including EBT/SNAP, Double Up Bucks (where qualified people can double their SNAP for up to $20) and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Together, they made around $16,000 this year through the programs.
Another grant they hold specifically for seniors, through the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging, is $50 for the entire season per applicant. Because of the LOR Foundation, the market was able to boost that amount to $75 this year for the seniors.
“With the gas prices, it’s pretty special ending in $75,” Periman said. “Some of them were in tears, and it’s very helpful.”
Saturday’s celebrations will include scavenger hunts for anyone who wants to participate. Periman said the first 12 participants who win will be awarded a basket. Montezuma County Orchard Restoration Project will have saplings and the market hopes their apple press will be there. The Aloha Dancers will perform Hawaiian dance, and blacksmith Robert Rovarid will be present.
