The town of Mancos saw a colorful year, with plenty of artsy festivities across the seasons, and touched on some hot-button political topics.
The all-campus renovations for the Mancos School District Re-6 also impacted the town, as the various campus and sports facilities sprouted.
Gathering spaces like the library, cidery, Fahrenheit Coffee, and (soon) the Opera House continue to encourage a vibrant and welcoming community.
Immigration stirs discussionImmigration was a highly debated topic in Mancos in 2019.
This summer, Rosa Sabido celebrated two years of living in sanctuary at the Mancos United Methodist Church. Sabido took up residence at the church’s Fellowship Hall in June 2017 after her application for a one-year stay of removal was denied by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and is one of a handful of women who have taken up sanctuary in Colorado. Her path forward to citizenship remains uncertain, and the Rosa Belongs Here movement is petitioning U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, to sponsor a private immigration bill for her.In May, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detained two Mancos residents who were working at Chavolo’s Mexican Restaurant, prompting backlash and a protest from community members. The incidents also raised questions about whether the Mancos Marshal’s Office should collaborate with federal agencies.Policing gets a new faceA new marshal was hired to serve Mancos after the resignation of Jason Spruell, who announced his resignation from the post in October 2018. Justen Goodall joined the office from the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, where he had served as a patrol deputy.The Marshal’s Office faced pushback from community members over the summer, who had concerns about the use of emergency lights and what some perceived as excessive policing. Some residents also alleged the Marshal’s Office was engaged in profiling people based on race or immigration status. Law enforcement officials denied the allegations, saying their actions were based on traffic and road violations. The Marshal’s Office began holding town hall meetings as a way to hear from the community, Goodall said.The Marshal’s Office has expanded since the beginning of the year – four officials currently employed and a fifth on the way. Deputy Jared Farnsworth was recently sworn in and will specialize in code enforcement, which is expected to be fully in swing come 2020, Goodall said.Arts and Creative District kick off projectsLocal artists and the Mancos Creative District were in full swing in 2019. Grand Summer Nights featured the town’s first Burrofest in July, in addition to a blacksmith extravaganza in August. Trash cans were beautified, and the downtown galleries had exhibits coming in and out. The Mancos Melt ushered in spring with a spectacular burning pyre.
The Mancos Brewing Co. and Fenceline Cider remained busy and musical, with a slew of performers from near and far coming in to play.The Mancos Opera House began restorations, and is expected to be open in time for an opera in town this spring.The Mancos Common Press opened its doors to the public, allowing locals to observe the historic press in action.Mancos Public Library is town’s hubThe Mancos Public Library was a hub for thought and conversation, hosting local business owners, artists, even a politician who stopped by to advocate for the National Popular Vote movement.Kids were invited to prepare for a zombie apocalypse, and adults talked about death over tea and cake at the monthly Death Cafe.Facilities and town planningAfter months of discussion, the Town Board approved an ordinance regarding encroachment permits, which allow another property owner to “encroach” on the town’s right of way. In November, the town also approved an updated land-use code, which regulates property development by establishing town districts, setting standards for lot and building features and sizing and determining how to best landscape areas throughout Mancos. The update had been in the works since April 2018.Mancos has a new park in the Creekside subdivision at the northwest corner of Angel Way and North Willow Street, meaning that kids who live on the north side of town won’t have to cross the highway to find a playground. The park, which was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in November, features a playground and artificial turf, which will reduce water use and lower maintenance costs, staff said. It was also managed organically from the beginning, in accordance with community wishes.EducationThe $25 million campus renovation quickly took shape, and the school opened the newly upgraded football field and historical gym during the school year. The majority of the work that now remains will be at the Performance Center, according to owner’s representative Monty Guiles.As the Mancos School District Re-6 continued to push for more project-based learning in the classrooms, the district decided to hire a full-time PBL coordinator for the job. Ed Whritner resigned from the Mancos school board so that he could assume this position, and he has been working with teachers to incorporate projects into the curriculum.John Marchino joined the Re-6 team as principal of the high school in fall 2019, filling in the vacancy left by former Principal Adam Priestley. Marchino came over to Mancos from Dolores, where he was serving as athletic director and dean of the secondary school.Marchino’s decision to have students take a breathalyzer test as they entered the Homecoming Dance this fall raised some controversy and sparked parental concerns. Superintendent Brian Hanson agreed parents should have been notified beforehand and apologized for the lack of communication.This November’s school board election saw eight candidates vying for three seats. Ultimately, incumbents Tim Hunter and Pam Coppinger were re-elected, and newcomer Katie Cahill-Volpe joined the team.The Dragonfly Preschool has opened to meet the growing need for early childhood education in the Mancos Valley.ealvero@the-journal.com