When it comes to community outreach, there are many ways the people of Craig and Moffat County show their appreciation. From local heroes saving the day to community events to build lasting relationships, each Moffat County local has something unique they bring to their neighborhood.

For Lisa Montague, a custodian by day and quilter by trade, her community outreach is rooted in the stitches she sews together, creating masterful quilts that are handmade for the community she has come to know and love. 

Originally hailing from Pine Top, Arizona, Montague made her way out to the Rockies in the early 2000s, with her mountain roots starting in Rand, Colorado. Over the years, Montague unintentionally took a small tour of the high Rocky towns, moving from Rand to Oak Creek to Steamboat and eventually found her home away from home in Craig. 

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In 2002, Montague began working with Tom Armstrong, former owner of Mountain Paints, while she resided in Steamboat Springs. After the company sold, Montague made her final move to Craig where she now works at Moffat County High School as a custodian. 

“When I first moved here, I just felt so welcomed by the community and it just felt right for me,” Montague said. 

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After finding her new community and setting down roots with her three children, Montague’s creative brain started firing and the idea to give back to her community came in the form of her quilting genius. 

She began her quilting journey by creating individual quilts as gifts for friends and family, sharing her passion on a personal level. Over time, her hobby evolved into something much larger.

In October, Montague’s love for quilting inspired her to undertake a project for the entire community — a quilt meant to be enjoyed by everyone. 

At first, the project was supposed to be another single quilt to be given to a friend, but as it progressed, she realized it had a greater potential. 

“I was just going to be quilting quilts for everybody that needed them, like my friends and family,” said Montague, quickly turning her simple project into a community gift.

She reached out to the Community Budget Center and Barely Spent to pick up some materials such as old jeans to use for her new project. Interested in her work, both Barely Spent and the Budget Center donated the materials she needed with the hopes she would create something for the community. 

Montague wanted the quilt to represent the many faces, leaders and businesses of Moffat County, dedicating a square to each. 

“I started with the mayor in the middle and just added council members and local businesses from there,” Montague said. “I wanted to just make one more that was meant for everyone.”

Originally inspired by her mother’s sewing skills, Montague’s passion transformed into a community project where the process was just as inspirational as the actual binding of quilt squares. 

“The best part was going out and meeting everyone in town,” Montague said. “Everyone was so nice and excited about being involved in the quilt.” 

Along the way, Montague had some help from local leaders that brought the community business owners to her front door. 

City Manager Peter Brixius was instrumental in connecting Montague with Moffat County leaders and businesses, including sheriffs, councilmen and city planners. 

“He really helped me with all the names and the leaders of town,” Montague said. 

The quilt now hangs proudly in the City Hall Council Chambers, a vibrant testament to the unity and spirit of Craig and Moffat County. Each stitch, square and scrap of fabric represents not just her artistry but the people and stories that make the community special.

For Montague, her needle and thread have become tools not just for crafting but for building bridges and celebrating a community that welcomed her with open arms.