On September 1, Kurt Jones stepped into the role of regional director for CSU Extension’s mountain region, which includes Chaffee County, where he previously served as county director, as well as Clear Creek, Custer, Eagle, Fremont, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Park, Pitkin, Summit and Teller counties.

Kurt began serving as an Extension Agent in Lincoln County in 1997 working with agricultural producers and 4-H Youth participants.   He then relocated to the Colorado Mountains as

CSU Extension Chaffee County Director in 1999 and took on his most recent role as interim regional director in the central region in 2021. Kurt has also served as a volunteer coordinator for CSU Extension, first joining the organization as an intern in 1996. He holds a Master of Agriculture Extension Education and a bachelor’s degree, both from CSU, and a professional certification as a master level beekeeper from the University of Montana.

“I’ve enjoyed working with the Extension staff over the past year and a half as interim regional director and being a bit of a problem solver for them,” said Jones, “It’s also given me opportunities to work with a variety of different county commissioners. Some of the fruits of those labors include the reestablishment of the Lake County Extension Office which was last open in 1977, and will now be helping the community by offering additional programming and support.”

“I’m excited about the future of Extension here in Colorado,” said Jones. “Including the Rural Initiative, which is bringing four new Extension specialists to the mountain region to support efforts around improving health and education access, promoting vibrant communities, and supporting thriving economies, with an additional focus on food and agriculture.”

The first rural engagement specialist for the mountain region started on August 22 and the rest will be starting on September 6.