Pecos Conference
The Annual
Established 1927
2026
Conference Details
The 2026 Pecos Conference is hosted by
The 2026 Pecos Conference will be held at the same location as in 2021: the Doc Lowell Flat within the San Juan National Forest, about 8 road miles north of Mancos, Colorado!
This year's conference will run from Thursday, August 6th through Sunday, August 9th – starting off with an opening social / registration packet pickup at TBD in TBD.
Papers, posters and panel presentations on the 7th and 8th, dinner and dancing dancing Saturday night (of course) and a full slate of tours on Sunday the 9th. Come camp with us in this beautiful location north of Mancos, Colorado!
Conference Dates
August 6-9, 2026
Conference Location
To get to the conference site from Mancos, Colorado (Main and 160), head north onto CO 184/n. Main Street for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto CO Road 42 for 5.3 miles where it becomes Road 561 for another 2.3 miles. Turn left on Forest Road 416 and the Doc Lowell Flat will be on the right. There will be signs along the way helping guide you to the conference site, as well as where to turn off into the site.
On-Site Camping Info
Tent and RV camping will be available at the conference site at no additional fee.
For conservation's sake, vehicles will not be allowed to drive far off of the tent camping access roads. Campers will need to carry their gear if they wish to camp away from the two-track roads. Since it will be monsoon season, campers are advised to attend in high clearance or 4WD vehicles with good tires (as the roads may be muddy -- see below).
2026 Board Candidate Statements
2026 Conference Program
2026 Paper and Poster Abstracts
Local Amenities
There are small(ish) grocery stores in Mancos (Natural Grocers, P&D Market, Zuma Natural Foods, center of town). There are gas stations and convenience stores in town, as well as motels and other short-term rentals (e.g., AirBnB) coffee shops, and restaurants. Some potable water provided by the conference at the campsite, as well as portable toilets and first aid. Always be prepared for rain at the conference site, with some muddy roads at the conference site. High-clearance vehicles are optimal for those who intend to camp onsite.
Thursday, August 6, 2026
ON-SITE CAMPING OPENS
Tent and RV Campers may arrive and begin selecting sites.
REGISTRATION AND THURSDAY NIGHT RECEPTION
5:15 to 7:15 pm
Will be held at Edge of the Cedars Museum State Park in Blanding, Utah. Light snacks will be provided.
STAR PARTY
After Dark (presented by SCAAS.org)
Friday, August 7, 2026
TENTS OPEN
8:15 am - 5:00 pm
Presentations, Posters, Silent Auction, and Vendor Tents Open.
SPECIAL PANEL PRESENTATION
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Presentations Tent:
Translating Vision for Tribal Co-management into Reality in Bears Ears National Monument and The Lands Between. Panel moderated by Carleton Bowekaty and Populated by Members of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition and the Bears Ears Commission. Please join us for this very special, singular presentation that will include a Q&A session at the end...
Saturday, August 8, 2026
TENTS OPEN
8:15 am - 5:00 pm
Presentations, Posters, Silent Auction, and Vendor Tents Open.
BUSINESS MEETING
11:00 am
SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER
5:15 pm
Pulled pork sandwiches (with a vegetarian option), potato salad, mixed green salad and dessert catered by Doug's BBQ and Catering of Monticello, Utah. Dine with us!
(Vendor's tent)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071878240522
ALCOHOL SERVICE
5:15 pm
Alcohol service by Bears Ears Partnership in the Posters Tent, including three fresh, tasty varieties by Bohemian Brewery of Midvale, UT, provided courtesy of Logan Simpson, and red and white box wine provided courtesy of Leslie Sesler and Tim Hovezak.
https://www.bohemianbrewery.com/
SATURDAY NIGHT BAND
7:30 pm
Dance and groove with Innastate (a western Colorado / southeastern Utah favorite!) until circa 11:30 pm in the Presentations Tent. Young and old invited!!
This year's logo was graciously and artfully crafted by Maddy Abdella. Many thanks to Maddy for the logo!
Sunday, August 9, 2026
FIELD TRIPS
The ACTUAL field trip sign-up sheets will be at the conference registration table. You CANNOT sign up for a field trip before the conference begins. Below is a link to a list of field trips and a description of each. (The field trips have been graciously organized by R.E. Burrillo, and each trip is led by a knowledgeable volunteer -- kudos and gratitude to them all, as well as to the cooperating partners who are each supporting the effort!!!).
Silent Auction
One Archaeologists' Junk,
Another Archaeologists' Treasure
Support our event and the Cordell Powers Scholarship by donating your new and pre-cherished treasures for an always exciting silent auction, which takes place during the event. The most popular auction items include art, mineral specimens, jewelry, pottery, textiles, gift certificates, books, y mas.
The silent auction is a significant source of revenue for the conference, and we very much appreciate your donations! (Silent auction graciously organized and run by the Site Stewardship Foundation!)
Souvenirs
Hats, Shirts, and Water Bottles
Pre-order when you register, and pick up your item(s) when you arrive at the Conference! Or, you can make an order at the conference to be shipped to you after. Water bottles can also be bought at the conference.
Hats are one size, cotton. T-shirts are 100% heavy cotton cloth made by Gildan, with unisex sizing (see size chart below). All colors are as shown here.
Background photo courtesy of Tim Peterson