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Board names Paulo Munguia honorary Poet Laureate of San Miguel County
Summary
The San Miguel County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-20 appointing Paulo Munguia as the county’s honorary poet laureate for a two‑year term, praising his multilingual readings and community engagement.
The San Miguel County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2025‑20 on June 18 appointing Paulo Munguia to a two‑year honorary term as San Miguel County poet laureate.
The resolution, introduced by community arts advocates and read aloud at the meeting, recited the county’s tradition of naming poet laureates through Telluride Institute recommendations and noted Munguia’s community performances, bilingual readings and work with local schools and libraries. Former poet laureate Joanna Yonder and Telluride arts supporters praised Munguia at the public ceremony; Art (last name not specified) read the resolution to the board before the vote.
The resolution notes prior county poet laureates and states the appointee’s term will run from June 2025 through June 2027 with responsibilities to promote the literary arts in Telluride, San Miguel County and the Western Slope.
Commissioner Lance moved to approve the resolution; the board voted unanimously. The board also discussed a future stipend for the position and commissioners indicated interest in exploring compensation for future poet‑laureate service.
Speakers - Paulo Munguia, appointee (citizen/artist) - Art (community arts leader) (citizen/arts) - Joanna Yonder, outgoing poet laureate (citizen/arts) - Chair Brown, San Miguel County Board of County Commissioners (government) - Commissioner Lance (government)
Clarifying details - Resolution number: 2025‑20 - Term: June 2025 to June 2027 - Motion to approve was made during the June 18 meeting and the motion passed unanimously.
Actions - Motion: Approve Resolution 2025‑20 appointing Paulo Munguia as San Miguel County poet laureate (two‑year honorary term, June 2025–June 2027). - Mover: not specified in the official roll call (motion recorded in minutes) - Outcome: approved (unanimous)
Why it matters: the appointment recognizes local bilingual literary culture, affirms ongoing community arts programming, and prompted discussion about whether the honorary post should include compensation in future cycles.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to consider ways to support and potentially fund future poet‑laureate activity; poetry readings were offered publicly after the resolution was read.
