Elections are underway for three open seats on the Mancos RE-6 school board. Craig Benally is a resident of Mancos and a candidate vying for one of the open positions on the board. Benally, who is Navajo, grew up in southwest Colorado and previously served on the Mancos Board of Trustees for four years. If elected, he says he would focus on being a representative for Native American students in the district. Earlier this month, he spoke at a candidate forum in Mancos hosted by the school board. This week, the city of Cortez will host open house events to hear from the public as it works to update its land use code. City officials say they are trying to improve affordable housing options for those looking to move or build homes in Cortez.
Chris Clements is a former news reporter for KSJD. He had previously covered literary arts as a reporter for The Chautauquan Daily in Chautauqua, New York, and graduated with a degree in English from Arizona State University. At KSJD, Chris has collaborated with KUNC (northern Colorado NPR) on water conservation stories, and had his spots regularly featured on NPR's national newscasts.