4-H provides learning experiences in which youth develop life skills such as communication, citizenship, decision-making, interpersonal relationships and community, and global awareness. Kids experience 4-H through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4-H camps.
Traditional 4-H: 4-H programs are available for children ages 8-18, while there are 4-H Clover bud programs for children ages 5-7. Kids complete hands-on projects where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. They learn these skills through projects.
Deadline: Re-enrollment ends Dec. 31, 2022
Enrollment for new members is open all year, but project, fair or other deadlines still apply so enrollment early is recommended.
Membership in 4-H is centered around membership in individual clubs—there are also many county-wide, state-wide, and nation-wide events and activities. 4-H is open to anyone who is at least eight years old and no older than eighteen on January 1st. However, there is a special Clover 4-H program for children who are five to seven years old on January 1st.
Step 1—Investigate
Make sure to take a look at our list of 4-H clubs in Montezuma County. Scroll down to view information on individual clubs.
Step 2—Contact Us
Contact the club leader of the club you are interested in. They will tell you if they are accepting new members and when their next meeting is scheduled.
If you have any questions about the 4-H program or are not sure what club you would like to join, please call or email Cyndal Sutch 970-565-3123 at the county 4-H/Extension Office, who can answer your questions and put you in touch with any club leader you may wish to contact. You can also visit the Montezuma County 4-H/Extension Office (103 N Chestnut St., Cortez, CO 81321) in person and speak with us.
Step 3—Attend a Club Meeting
A club leader may ask you to attend a club meeting before joining. This is your chance to get a feel for the club.
Step 4 – Pick a Project
This may be the most exciting part of the process! Please look over our project list and if you don’t see exactly what you are looking for or would like to create a project of your own, contact the 4-H/Extension office by email or phone 970-565-3123 at the county 4-H/Extension Office and she will help you find or create the right fit for you.
Please note that a project is a commitment, so we do recommend only picking 1 or 2 in your first year.
Step 5—Enroll
Once you know which club you would like to join and what projects you are doing, you can go ahead and enroll yourself online using the 4-H Online enrollment system—download the 4-H Online instructions here. If you’re having trouble using 4-H Online, you may ask the Extension Office for assistance or for a paper enrollment form, which you will turn in to them. Parents should not enroll themselves in the system unless they’re also 4-H volunteers. You will receive a conformation email if you don’t receive the conformation email your enrolment is not complete. Please call the office if this happens so we can help you finish your enrollment
Enrollment Fees are as follows:
1st project is $25.00
Each additional project $10.00 each
Cloverbuds are only $20.00 each
Archery and shooting sports range card fee $35 individual/ $45 for family
Horse arena card fee $40 per individual
After you enroll, you will receive an invoice from our office. We can only accept cash or checks and you can mail payment or bring it to:
Montezuma County 4-H, 103 N. Chestnut St., Cortez, CO 81321
The 4-H Youth Development Program is a part of Colorado State University Extension, and Montezuma County. We are located at the County Annex Building, 103 N. Chestnut St. Cortez, CO 81321. Our office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, closed for lunch between 11:30 am to noon and are closed on Federal Holidays.
Brenda Hindmarsh’s a former 4H member and has been the Club leader for around 22 years. Bring up her 3 boys in the 4H program. She is also the Rabbit leader and County Fair Rabbit Superintendent. Her children have been out of 4H for many years, but she continues to volunteer due to her belief in how the program helps the youth. Phyliss Snyder was the Club leader for many many years prior.
Members of the Club hold fundraisers, complete community service projects, participate in monthly Club meetings, County meetings; using proper parliamentary procedures and to develop public speaking skills to do a minimum of one demonstration per year. Picnics, potlucks, and games provide plenty of time for members and their families to get to know one another.
Battle Rock 4-H Club meeting the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The Current Club Leaders are Amanda Gilliland and Amanda Higgins.
Bunnies & More 4-H Club started 20+ years ago in Mancos. We meet every first Tuesday (unless it is a holiday) at 7:00 pm at the Mancos School Cafeteria except June, July, and August when we meet in Cottonwood Park. Our leaders are Barbara Zeutzius & Stacy Kane.
The Hoofbeats 4-H Club is a great club for people in the horse project. We have meetings on the second Tuesday of every month. Our Club Leaders are Kacee Russell, Kym Hampton, and Kelly McAndrews. We have horse practice almost every Thursday but it is not mandatory. We practice western, English, and Showmanship.
Round-Up 4-H Club meets on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Club leaders include Brandee Simmons, Keely McLain, and Kendra Schmittel
The Cloverbuds program is for youth ages 5-7 years old as of January 1stof the current year. The overall purpose of the Cloverbuds program is not to duplicate the 4-H program or create a mini 4-H program for younger members but to foster the development of life skills that are essential for the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical maturation of the members. 4-H Cloverbuds programs are activity-based and not project focused and build upon cooperative learning, rather than competitive activities. 4-H Cloverbuds members participate in occasional, non-competitive events or activities conducted or sponsored by the local 4-H Clubs. The primary difference between 4-H Cloverbuds activities and traditional 4-H projects is that Cloverbuds member engages in varied activities that focus on developing specific skill or concept utilized in completing the activity rather than focusing on a long term planned course of study in a specific project. Cloverbuds members do not show animals at the County fair and are not allowed to do Shooting Sports-related projects. Cloverbuds members may exhibit or showcase the product of the activities they have completed each year at the County Fair, but the exhibits are not judged.