San Juan BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services)
Primary and Secondary EducationColorado, United States51-200 Employees
San Juan BOCES is a mid-sized, publicly funded cooperative that brings together eight rural school districts in Southwestern Colorado. Its core mission is to provide exceptional student services for children and youth with disabilities, ensuring supports are available within the school environment. Over time, its work has grown to include a broader network of programs, such as an educator induction program and the Southwest Colorado eSchool. The organization coordinates services across more than 40 schools and preschools, supported by a team of specialized providers, including occupational therapists and school psychologists. Member districts are Archuleta 50JT (Pagosa Springs), Bayfield 10 JT-R, Dolores RE-4A, Dolores County RE-2J (Dove Creek), Ignacio 11JT, Mancos RE-6, Montezuma-Cortez RE-1, and Silverton District 1. Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, San Juan BOCES operates within the primary and secondary education sector as a regional service cooperative rather than a single-district entity. Its culture emphasizes collaboration, shared leadership, and strong professional practices, along with active partnerships with community organizations to maximize local resources for children, families, and educators. The organization has pursued targeted initiatives beyond special education, including an educator induction program and the Southwest Colorado eSchool. A notable development in its recent history was a grant from the El Pomar Foundation to promote trauma-informed teaching practices, with Kemper selected as one of the targeted sites.