About 175 people protested on Cortez’s Main Street on Tuesday to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and attack on the Capitol.
They carried signs such as “We will not forget” and “Jan. 6 equals treason,” as well as signs generally critical of President Trump.
The local Insurrection Day Rally was organized by Indivisible Montezuma. It was peaceful and drew a number of supportive honks from passing drivers, as well as some opposing shouts from people praising Trump.
At least one car belonging to a couple who were at the demonstration had a window smashed during the event.
This is not the first time protesters in Cortez have had vehicles vandalized. At the No Kings Day rally last October, seven vehicles belonging to participants had windows smashed.
Local residents are enjoying the eminently hike-able warm weather, but it has a down side.
Precipitation in December in Cortez was just half of the normal amount, according to longtime weather observer James Andrus.
In an email he said the amount was disappointing considering that the previous two months saw above-average precipitation.
Total moisture for 2025 was 10.66 inches, 90 percent of the historic average.
The above-normal temperatures have resulted in low snowpacks statewide. The snow-water equivalent in the San Miguel-Dolores-Animas-San Juan basin was at 58 percent of normal on Jan. 2.
