Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association Sets Annual Meeting, Auction, Dance Feb. 14

The Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association will hold its annual meeting and banquet on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, 30100 U.S. Highway 160. The gathering combines an official business session, agency reports, fundraising auctions and an evening dance, and it serves as a regular forum where local elected leaders and federal land and wildlife agencies converge with ranching families.

The event begins at 9 a.m. with a morning session featuring reports from Montezuma and Dolores county commissioners, Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin, and representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Dolores Water Conservancy District. Those presentations create an opportunity for public scrutiny of grazing management, wildfire mitigation and water delivery issues that affect ranch operations and county budgets.

Fundraising is a primary focus in the afternoon and evening. From 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., a silent auction and live auction will take place to benefit the association's scholarship fund, which supports graduating seniors from local high schools, including Cortez, Dolores, Mancos and Dove Creek, as well as vocational-technical programs. The annual quilt created by the Cowbelles is also a highlight of the event, and proceeds benefit the scholarship fund. A cash bar opens at 6 p.m., with a steak dinner, door prizes and a live auction beginning at 7 p.m. Awards will be presented for Southwestern Cowbelle/Cattlewoman of the Year and Stockman of the Year; last year’s honorees were Ann Neely and Gordon Steves. The evening will conclude with a dance starting around 8:30 p.m. to the live music of the Vanishing Breed.

Practical details matter for members and residents who want to participate. Dinner and dance tickets are $50 each. VIP table sponsorships are available for $700 and include a reserved table, dinner tickets and business promotion opportunities; interested individuals, ranches or businesses should contact Drew Gordanier at (970) 759-5392. Tickets may be purchased by contacting board members: Jason Blackmer at (970) 739-5577; James Oliver at (970) 739-6130; Joe Lanier at (970) 560-2363; Jonathan Patcheck at (970) 759-4766; Wayne Rogers at (970) 739-0682; Tanner Young at (970) 739-4963; or Lynelle Brumley at (970) 565-1972. Payments, along with annual $25 membership dues, may be mailed to the Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association, P.O. Box 393, Cortez. Dues must be paid by or at the annual meeting for members to vote.

Beyond scholarships, the meeting is a civic touchpoint. It is where land-use concerns intersect with county policy and federal agency actions, and where voting members can influence the association’s priorities. Residents who want their voices heard on grazing allotments, water delivery or youth workforce development should consider attending the morning reports and ensure dues are current to participate in decision making.

For broader context, Colorado Livestock Association events and regional auction schedules continue to populate the calendar; state-level meetings and local auctions provide additional venues for policy discussion and networking. For locals focused on range and water policy, the Feb. 14 meeting is a concentrated chance to raise questions, support scholarship dollars and follow how regional leaders and agencies respond.