A community memorial gathering will be held in honor of longtime community member and “powerhouse force” Rosie Carter at the Mancos Opera House on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 2-4 p.m.
Organizers ask that those who attend bring an appetizer and/or nonalcoholic beverage to share.
“And bring your style (whatever that means to you) in honor of Rosie’s amazing style,” they added.
Carter was born on Feb. 9, 1968, in Boston and died on Nov. 3, 2024 in Montezuma County.
After living in different places, Carter made her way to Southwest Colorado, where she established Stonefree Farm with her then-husband Chuck. Carter was also one of the “foundational” community members who helped establish the Cortez Farmers Market in her early years living in the area.
Carter is remembered for helping save KSJD when it was nearly forced to close its doors. Carter was volunteering at the station in 2003, according to KSJD, when she learned San Juan Basin Technical College would have to close the station’s doors because of state budget cuts.
“Alarmed” that the station could close, Carter put flyers up around Cortez asking community members to come to a meeting if they had any interest in helping establish a community radio station. More than 60 people came to the meeting and met in the building where KSJD is housed now. At that meeting, the community radio project was established.
“Rosie was also a founding matriarch at KSJD Radio Station, playing a monumental role in ensuring that the station was run by the local community,” her obituary said. “She knew the power of local voices and leaders carving the way for the betterment of the whole and always fought for those underserved and unheard to be seen and to be included.”
Carter not only helped establish KSJD, but was “instrumental” in getting the Mancos Common Press on its feet and helping in the development of the Montezuma Land Conservancy.
After 20 years of farming in the area, she pivoted to art, establishing Home and Range to turn “toward her gifts as an artist and to explore new facets of herself.”
Through Home and Range, Carter helped curate a group of artists to showcase their art in Montezuma County and in other areas as well. It was during this time that Carter met “the love of her life,” David Butler.
“Her last powerful artistic and community-minded endeavors focused around the development of Mancos Common Press and a transformative art installation at the Buffalo Soldiers Exhibit in Fort Garland. This work was deeply meaningful and powerful to her,” her obituary read.
Those who knew Carter personally remember her for her unconditional love and care, kindness, honesty, creativity, love of community, “willingness to face death with courage” and more.
Her brother Forest also referred to her as a “powerhouse force.”
“In this culture of ‘change is loss,’ Rosie always saw change as opportunity. Even in facing cancer, she allowed, acclimated, accepted and explored,” her friend Rachel said.
Donations in Rosie’s honor can be given to Hospice of Montezuma or the Mancos Common Press.
