Mesa Verde Country® Press Room

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Contact:	Lynn Dyer Mesa Verde Country® 800-530-2998 lynnd@mesaverdecountry.com Gaylene Ore Ore Communications 970-887-2536 gaylene@orecommunications.com	IMAGES AVAILABLE www.mesaverdecountry.com

Towns of Colorado's Mesa Verde Country® Fuse Culture, History, Recreation

CORTEZ, CO Cortez, Dolores, Mancos, Towaoc. If you think these words sound like a cultural fusion and a dose of history laced with intrigue, you're right. The towns of southwestern Colorado's Mesa Verde Country® form a backbone through the largest concentration of archaeological sites anywhere in the United States. Set among spectacular mesa-top villages and multi-story 800-year-old cliff dwellings, the area was once the heart of the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) civilization. Today, visitors can discover archaeological sites, relive the old west, explore the great outdoors, and much more.

Cortez — Nestled between the La Plata Mountains, the Sleeping Ute Mountain, and Mesa Verde National Park, the ranching and farming center (where you can even catch a cattle drive in the spring or fall) has held its place as a merging point and trade center for many cultures for more than 2,000 years, and still serves as a major center for Native American art. The town of nearly 8,500 offers the greatest number and variety of services for the larger surrounding county population of 26,600 and, of course, for visitors to Mesa Verde Country®. Mesa Verde National Park Hovenweep National Monument Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Cortez Cultural Center - summer evening Free Indian Dances and Cultural Programs Starting point for traveling the Trail of the Ancients - the only National Scenic Byway dedicated to archaeology Recreation: hiking, biking, golf, rafting, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling Dolores — The Dolores River is the heart and soul of this small community of 871 residents, providing a vital water supply and many recreational opportunities. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Anasazi Heritage Center Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum, with the completely restored Galloping Goose #5 Railcar McPhee Lake and the Dolores River: boating, water skiing, fishing, rafting San Juan/Rio Grande National Forest: camping, hiking, hunting, winter sports San Juan Skyway: a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road, often called "America's Most Beautiful Drive" Mancos — The Mancos Valley, located between the La Plata Mountains and Mesa Verde National Park, continues its long tradition as a ranching community. The small town - fewer than 1,200 - retains its Wild West character, with stagecoach rides and local retail collections of authentic western clothing, modern art and world-renowned sculpture, cowboy hats, and Native American jewelry. Mancos Visitor's Center Mesa Verde National Park Mancos Valley Stage Line Mancos State Park and Jackson Gulch Reservoir Chicken Creek Cross-Country Ski Area Towaoc — With a population of approximately 1,300, Towaoc is the reservation home of the Ute Mountain Utes, one of the seven original Ute bands that once inhabited the entire state of Colorado. The Ute Mountain Utes enjoy a modern lifestyle while retaining their traditional customs. They are established artisans known for their superlative beadwork and unique pottery. Visitors will find their work in trading posts throughout the area. Ute Tribal Park Ute Mountain Ute Pottery Factory Ute Mountain Casino For information on these and other family-friendly Mesa Verde Country® destinations and events, call 800-530-2998 or visit www.mesaverdecountry.com.

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