The weight of political division in the community sat heavily with the Wolf sisters, co-owners of The Doobie Sisters in Cortez. When they were young, they scrawled “Human-kind: be both” in chalk on the sidewalk with their mother.

The message resonates with how the family feels now, so they printed 50 black signs with the word “Human-kind” in colorful letters, and the words “be both” beneath it. Initially, they planned to post the signs along Montezuma Avenue.

“It’s kind of dark times right now, and there’s not a lot of positivity no matter what side you’re on,” Corin Wolf said. But Montezuma Avenue is a “beautiful street to have a positive message,” Wolf said.

But people started knocking on the door of their home and asking where they could get “Human-Kind” signs too, and thanking the family for creating them.

Donations have made more prints possible for residents and businesses across Cortez. Initially, the family gave the signs away, but by the third order, donations covered the bulk of their costs.

“We’re all human, and no matter what your beliefs are, we are all doing what we think is best,” Wolf said.

Saturday mornings on Main Street in Cortez, politics have collided between the Black Lives Matter walk and the Montezuma County Patriot ride.

But the “Human-Kind” sign is a nonpolitical message, which is “really refreshing,” Wolf said.

One elderly woman shared her concern that the community was losing that kindness through the current political division, Wolf said. And grandparents have picked up signs with their grandchildren to teach them about being kind.

“It makes me emotional,” Wolf said.

The sisters are working to ship “Human-Kind” signs to the Blake Street Tavern in Denver, where they once worked. And friends from Chicago and New Jersey are ordering signs. Given the interest, the Wolf family has made “Human-Kind” bumper stickers.

Brian Puett, owner of the Loungin’ Lizard, said he wanted a sign in his window because it is “a simple message, but we love the concept.”

Restaurant customers have praised the sign, and asked where they can get one, Puett said.

Jake Reed with the WildEdge Brewing Collective in Cortez also said people have asked where they got their sign, displayed in their patio area.

Reed said drivers and passersby often yell at WildEdge employees for wearing masks. The signs have helped because they “remind people to be kind,” he said.

ehayes@the-journal.com