Mercedes Granados, who has been Mancos deputy clerk for the past three years, was appointed this week to town clerk and treasurer by the Mancos Board of Trustees.
The position has been vacant for over a year since the last town clerk and treasurer, Jamie Higgins, resigned in May 2025. Since then, Town Administrator Heather Alvarez assumed the position of acting town clerk and treasurer until Mancos made an official appointment.
“My experience includes municipal records and board functions, accounts payable and payroll, municipal court, licensing and permitting, as well as other administrative and financial responsibilities,” Granados said in a statement to The Journal. “I pursued the clerk/treasurer position because I wanted to continue strengthening my knowledge and experience in the clerk field.”
In her new role, Granados will oversee elections and government records as well as manage Mancos’ finances.
“For the last nine to 10 months she has assumed the duties of town clerk behind the scenes just to make sure she likes it,” Alvarez said during the board’s meeting Wednesday night. “She has done an amazing job.”
Granados, who was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees for the position, is in the process of achieving her bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the online college Southern New Hampshire University. SNHU put Granados on their spring 2026 President’s List, which is reserved for full time undergraduate students with a GPA of 3.7 or above.
As the town’s deputy clerk, Granados prepared meetings, agendas, minutes and packets for the Board of Trustees and the Planning and Zoning commission. She also managed billing for town services, assisted in elections and oversaw public outreach from the town. Granados also previously served as an office assistant for the Montezuma County Road Department and a deposit services specialist for First Southwest Bank.
“Thank you for stepping up because it is a huge responsibility. You’ve got a keen eye for detail; I think you’re going to do great.” Mayor Cindy Simpson said, adding with a laugh, “You get sworn at for the next few years; we’re going to swear you in.”
Granados raised her right hand and pledged to uphold the United States and Colorado constitutions as well as Mancos ordinances.
“In this new role, I hope to use the knowledge and experience I already have while continuing to learn and grow. I would like to improve processes where we can, create consistency, and help ensure the town remains organized, accountable, and responsive to the community,” Granados said in a statement to The Journal.
avanderveen@the-journal.com
