About us

“Before printing was discovered, a century was equal to a thousand years.”
– Henry David Thoreau –

The Mancos Common Press is a restored historic letterpress design and print studio located in Mancos, Colorado.

The Town of Mancos is located in Southwest Colorado in the shadow of Mesa Verde National Park.  The town itself is a small ranching community with a population of about 1400. Cattle  drives still commonly move through town during the spring and fall. At the same time a thriving artists’ community has developed.

The local newspaper – the Mancos Times – had been boarded up since 1970 when its production was relocated to a neighboring town.  The storefront stood empty until 2013 when a discovery was made that all the original print materials from 1911 were still inside the building. 

With encouragement from a visiting preservation professor from the University of Pennsylvania a local citizens group was formed to explore the restoration and revival of the building and its contents.  In 2014 the Mancos Common Press was officially organized and efforts began in earnest.  A two-step process was envisioned, first to preserve and restore the building and then to create a graphic arts studio with emphasis on the historic place of letterpress and newspapers in the Old West.

Currently the Mancos Common Press operates with an all-volunteer Board.  We offer tours, community workshops, host events and collaborate with local businesses and organizations to enhance the economy of the town. We are, however, most committed to preserving and showcasing the craft of traditional letterpress printing.


The Town of Mancos is located in Southwest Colorado in the shadow of Mesa Verde National Park. The town itself is a small ranching community with a population of about 1300. Cattle drives still commonly move through downtown during the spring and fall. At the same time a thriving artists’ community has developed.

history

1893

1893 The Mancos Times

The Mancos Times, the first newspaper, was started in 1893 with C.M. Danford as editor.

1894

1894 Town of Mancos founded

The town of Mancos was officially founded

1910

1910 A New Building for the Times

The Mancos Times-Tribune moves to a new home on Grand Avenue. Also serving as a the local print shop.

1910

1910 The Cranston Press

The Times purchases the impressive Cranston Press.

1970

1970 End of an era

The printing of the Mancos Times is moved to the Cortez Journal. The Cranston Press is shut down and the working space it occupies is soon boarded up.

2013

2013 Rediscovery

The old press and 100 years of archived newspapers are discovered in the historic Mancos Times Tribune building.

2013

2013 The Mancos Common Press

The Mancos Common Press emerges and a steering committee is officially formed.

2014

2014 Official board of directors

The steering committee becomes a board of directors, and secures 501(c)(3) status.

2014

2014 A generous donation

The Ballantine family, which owns Ballantine Publications, donates the building and contents to the organization.

2016

2016 Funding for preservation

The CO State Historical Fund awards a grant to begin the restoration of the property

2017

2017 Painting the story as a mural

Mural by Brad Goodell is completed.

2019

2019 A new beginning

Completion of the historic restoration and the Grand Opening of the Mancos Common Press as a traditional letterpress studio and arts program.

PRESERVING OUR HISTORIC PAST

• This project is paid for in part by a History Colorado – State Historical Fund grant. •

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