Cortez is the gateway to Mesa Verde National Park, home to the ruins of the Ancestral Pueblo people, who lived in cliff dwellings at the site for over 700 years. These days, you don't have to carve your own apartment from the rock. Unless you really want to.
Cortez is a city in Montezuma County, Colorado, approximately 380 miles southwest of Denver
Cortez is the gateway to Mesa Verde National Park, home to the ruins of the Ancestral Pueblo people, who lived in cliff dwellings at the site for over 700 years. These days, you don't have to carve your own apartment from the rock. Unless you really want to.
Cortez is a city in Montezuma County, Colorado, approximately 380 miles southwest of Denver. Located near the Four Corners, where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado meet, Cortez has an area of 5.5 square miles. First settled in 1886, Cortez had a population of 8,482 in the 2010 census.
If you're looking for rental housing in Cortez, there are a few things to consider before you start searching. A little bit of prep will definitely help you narrow down your search for a new place.
First, think about your needs and budget. Could you live in a studio, or do you like more breathing room? If you want more space, you should consider two-bedroom apartments or even a condo for rent. Are you looking to sign a year-long lease, or would going month to month work better for you? If you hate paying separate utility checks every month, all-bills-paid apartments could be right for you.
Next, make copies of important documents to ease the application process, especially if you're going to look at multiple places. Most landlords will want to see photo ID and a proof of income (this could involve previous bank statements, pay stubs and/or a letter from your employer). A credit and/or background check may also be required.
Cortez is located at the junction of Routes 491 (north-south) and 160 (roughly east-west, this becomes Main Street through downtown). Empire Street is another major east-west road. Mildred Road and CO-145 (N. Dolores Road) are major north-south roads.
Downtown / West Side: Downtown Cortez is in the western half of the city. This area tends to be more densely populated than the east side, but it's very walkable. South of Main Street, the major east-west streets are numbered. Try lunch at Once Upon a Sandwich or Main Street Brewery Restaurant.
East of Downtown: Denny Lake, Totten Lake and the Conquistador Golf Course are located east of downtown, along with other residential areas. Shiloh Steakhouse isn't too far away, when you need some meat in your life.
Hawkins Preserve: This neighborhood in the southern part of the city gets its name from the nature preserve nearby.
Cortez offers unparalleled access to important prehistoric sites, national parks and outdoor recreational opportunities. Fantastic views of the La Plata and San Juan Mountains are free.
Main Street is the commercial center of Cortez, with businesses, shops, hotels and restaurants. Stonefish is a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar popular with locals. Pepperhead serves Mexican food and margaritas. For a throwback meal, visit the Burger Boy Drive-In, famous for green chile cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries. Sports outfitters and adventure tours do brisk business in the city.
The city has a recreation center with an indoor lap pool, children's pool/lazy river and basketball and racquetball courts. The city's municipal outdoor pool is open during the summer months. Go camping, canoeing or fishing at Denny Lake, or play disc golf or tennis at Centennial Park. The Parque de Vida has an amphitheater and a BMX track. Your canine companion will love the Cortez Dog Park.
Cortez is an outdoor lover's dream. The Hawkins Preserve is a 122-acre space with trails, a picnic area and rock climbing sites. Totten Lake, Mesa Verde National Park and the San Juan National Forest are also a short drive away.
For those who can't get enough of the open road, the San Juan Scenic Byway is a 233-mile loop through the mountains of southwestern Colorado, and the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway brings you up close with dramatic landscapes and ancient dwellings. Durango, Moab, Telluride and Monument Valley are all within a two-hour drive of Cortez.
The Four Corners area is rich in ancient history, and any archaeology buffs will be in heaven. At Crow Canyon Archeological Center, devoted to the preservation of the history of the ancestral Pueblo (also known as Anasazi) people, you can tour a working archaeological site. Also nearby are Hovenweep National Monument, which was home to six prehistoric villages dating back to A.D. 1200 through 1300, and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, which features exhibits, artifacts and archaeological sites. At the Ute Mountain Tribal Park (open from March to October), you can go on a tour led by a member of the Native American Ute tribe, and see petroglyphs, pictographs, dwellings and artifacts.
Cortez averages more than 300 sunny days per year, so sun protection and hats are good tools for staying cool, especially in summer. The majority of tourists come in summer, and the city puts on a number of summer events and festivals for both tourists and locals. The Cortez Cultural Center hosts free Native American dance performances six days a week during the summer. The Indian Arts and Culture Festival is held every Memorial Day weekend, and the Mesa Verde Country Food, Wine and Art Festival is held on the last weekend of August. Get your cowboy fix at the annual Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo, held at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.
Now that you know about living in Cortez, the next step is finding a great place to call home.
