The Ute Mountain Ute American Legion Post No. 75 will honor those who served in the armed forces Thursday, hosting its annual Veterans Day Parade on Montezuma Avenue.

This year’s event is slated to be larger than last year’s, said event chairman Mike Brunk.

It’s Brunk’s third year organizing the event, and he’s still amazed at the outpouring of support for veterans in Cortez.

“I've never been in a community that was as supportive of the veterans as this one,” he said.

He said he’s impressed with the leadership exhibited by the Montezuma County Veteran Affairs office.

“I didn't have anybody come close to being this conscientious and tenacious about doing their job as what we have here, so we're very fortunate. The community is very generous,” he said.

As of 2019, Montezuma County’s population is estimated to be comprised of about 8% veterans, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

To Brunk, this makes sense.

“It’s a beautiful place to live,” he said.

Beyond this, he’s excited for new generations to experience the parade.

“We hear we have a new group of youngsters that are going to come and see it for the first time, and they're impressed,” Brunk said. “I got to talk to my great-nephew last year. He saw it for the first time — he’s 4. And he didn't really know — it was just a lot of fun.”

Elements of the parade — like the fire trucks — made a lasting impression on Brunk’s great-nephew, he said.

Brunk began preparing for this year’s parade at the end of July.

“The first year, I was like a deer in the headlights trying to organize all of this stuff,” Brunk said. “But the people that have participated, the majority of them have been doing it long enough, they pretty much know where to go and how to form and it always comes off. It's just a wonderful event.”

Although the deadline to register to participate in the event was Friday, Brunk said Tuesday he was still accepting last-minute entries.

“If somebody is wanting to celebrate Veterans Day with us, then that's fine. I think that's fantastic,” he said.

Lineup will take place at 1 p.m. at the Montezuma County Annex Building at 107 N. Chestnut St.

The parade will commence at 1 p.m.

Veterans and their families will be treated to a free lunch at American Legion Post No. 75, at 320 N. Harrison St., from 2 to 4 p.m, provided by Shannon Englehart, owner of End of the Trail Catering.

On Veterans Day, the Cortez City Hall, Cortez Public Library, Cortez Police Department lobby, Cortez Water Treatment Plant and Colorado Welcome Center will be closed. Police and 911 emergency services will still be operating. The Refuse and Recycling Service Center will be closed, although normal routes will still be serviced.