The Cortez Journal, along with sponsors Ballantine Communications, Inc. and the Destination Grill, are offering the community a chance to voice their opinions on what is the "best of the best" in Montezuma County.
"It's just a really fun way to bring the community together and an opportunity to support their favorite area businesses," said Colleen Donley, multimedia advertising and marketing consultant for The Cortez Journal.
Voters can select their top choices in categories such as Automotive; Food and Dining; Legal, Financial and Real Estate Services; Medical Services; Shopping and Entertainment; and Professional/Other Services.
There is also a category for best new businesses, which features businesses open two years or less.
The top five voted businesses from last year's Readers' Choice Awards were selected as nominees, and voters also have the option to write-in a candidate that is not listed.
Voting begins on July 17 and runs until Aug. 22.
On the online ballot, votes are tied to each individual IP address and email address to reduce duplicate voting. Only two people per IP address are allowed a vote.
Winners will be announced at a Best of the Best Awards Event at Destination Grill in Cortez on Sept. 24. In addition to bragging rights, winning businesses also have marketing rights to the "Best of Cortez" logo.
