Welcome to Montezuma Inspire Coalition

Montezuma Inspire Coalition (MIC) serves youth living in Montezuma County, including the population centers of Cortez, Mancos, Dolores, and Towoac. MIC brings together a diverse group of nonprofits, businesses and governmental organizations that have a great passion for youth and the outdoors. Our Coalition aims to serve “every kid in every zip” and to increase opportunities for all youth in our county to experience the outdoors through the coordination and scaffolding of existing and new programming.

Through our partners we provide standards-aligned outdoor curriculum programs, for all county school districts. Our partners provide afterschool, out-of-school, and summer programs, including field trips and family activities.

Meet our Partners
Learn About Available Programs

MIC aims to help youth to develop leadership skills and increase protective factors, via outdoor and nature programming, to improve the overall well-being, physical health and self-esteem for young people.

Our vision is for youth of all ages and backgrounds in Montezuma County to respect, care for and enjoy themselves, their communities and the natural world. By encouraging them to share these values with their family, friends and across generations, we seek to build an inclusive, strong, healthy and resilient community and economy.

Who is MIC?
  • A a diverse group of nonprofits, businesses, and governmental organizations in and around Montezuma County who are collaborating to get youth outside and connected to nature
  • MIC has received funding from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and other funders to implement connections among partners and outdoor programming for youth in Montezuma County
  • MIC is working together to create a diverse multi-year program to connect youth and our community with the outdoors
Why are we doing this?
  • Kids in the United States today only spend an average of 4-7 minutes outside per day in unstructured play
  • Children who spend less time outdoors experience a wide range of behavioral problems ranging from limited respect for their natural surroundings to obesity, ADD, and even depression
  • We want to build a stronger community in Montezuma County for our youth and their families
What is our vision?
  • Our VISION is for youth of all ages and backgrounds in Montezuma County to respect, care for and enjoy themselves, their communities and the natural world. By encouraging them to share these values with their family, friends and across generations, we seek to build an inclusive, strong, healthy and resilient community and economy.
  • We will create a system where we engage youth beginning in preschool and empower them through high school and beyond with age-appropriate outdoor curriculum and program activities in and out of the school setting
  • Our GOAL is to instill in our youth and families a stewardship and compassion for the outdoors that will follow them throughout their lives