The annual meeting of Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association will be held at the Cortez Elks Lodge on Saturday, Feb. 13. The morning session begins at 9 a.m. with reports from county and state officials. Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Colorado Parks and Wildlife and other organizations will provide updates on agriculture and community issues.
U.S. Rep Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, is scheduled for an appearance on Saturday morning.
The Southwestern Cowbelles will host a potluck dinner at noon, and the business meeting will begin at 1 p.m. with regular business and election of directors.
Evening festivities start at 7 p.m. with a steak dinner, followed by the announcement of the Stockman of the Year and Cowbelle of the Year. Dance music will be feature music by the band Vanishing Breed. Dinner and dance tickets can be purchased from any member of the board of directors. Tickets are $30 each.
Last year, rancher Wayne Goodall of Lewis was named Stockman of the Year, and Tammy Russell of Lewis was named Cowbelle of the Year.
Last year’s Cowbelles brand quilt was made from once-forgotten blocks of former member Jackie Wallace. After Wallace passed away, the blocks were discovered and the Cowbelle’s decided to make a quilt honoring Wallace and her husband, as well as other 28 other ranching families. The winning bidder was Doug Aiken, executive vice president of Dolores State Bank, who paid a record $5,400, according to Cowbelle Paula Neal.
Proceeds from a silent auction scheduled for 3-10 p.m. will go toward scholarships for youths in Montezuma and Dolores counties. According to the Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association, the group has awarded more than $85,000 in scholarships to date. For more information about the scholarship fund or to contribute to the silent auction, call Bill or Peggy Blackmer at 882-4270.
Members of the board of directors include president Zane Odell and vice president Drew Gordanier. For more information, contact a board member or secretary-treasurer Lynelle Brumley at 565-1972.