As the newest member to the Mancos Town Board, 35-year-old Matthew Baskin has his work cut out for him.

"It's exciting in some way," he said. "But it's a lot of responsibility."

Baskin was named by the town board on Sept. 24 to fill a seat left by Alan Rolston, who took a job in Montana.

"Talk about big shoes to fill," Baskin said.

Baskin, works for a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities live well in the community.

He hopes that he can help Mancos during a busy time, saying, "With all the stuff going on in Mancos right now, it's imperative to be involved."

Baskin said he hopes to keep moving forward and make decisions that benefit the town.

Baskin is completing a master's degree in public policy.

The degree should help him as a board member, Baskin pointed out.

"It teaches you to be more thoughtful about the process in a way that it considers and helps the most people," he said, adding, "I'm committed to public service."

In his spare time, Baskin likes to travel and enjoys camping, hunting, fishing, gardening and woodworking. He said he has hiked 60 to 70 miles on an unmaintained trail in Alaska and has traveled to the Middle East and lived in Spain.

Baskin lived in Durango for 10 years and has lived in Mancos for three. Mancos is where Baskin wants to be.

"There's not a moment I think of going anywhere else," he said.