2013 Map of Cortez

About this map

Cortez serves as the primary hub in the Montezuma Valley, shown here in a period of modern expansion. The town grid is clearly defined by historical thoroughfares like E Montezuma Ave and E Main St, with the Cortez Cem and Cortez Municipal Airport marking its perimeter. To the south, the landscape rises dramatically into the northern reaches of Mesa Verde National Park, where sheer geographical features like Krueger Point and North Rim dominate the high mesa. The area's agricultural lifeblood is visible through an intricate network of irrigation, including the Highline Ditch and Rocky Ford Ditch, which channel water across the valley. From the residential streets of the city to the deep drainage of McElmo Canyon, this survey illustrates the intersection of high-desert settlement and massive geological landforms.