Friday marked the end of my reporting career with The Journal. I’m headed to Salt Lake City where I’ll be working for a news website.

Back in March 2016, I packed everything I could into my tiny car and set off on the 30-hour drive from my hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Cortez.

It was a drastic change of scenery moving from my large Midwestern city to a small town in the desert Southwest. Living so far away from my friends and family back home was difficult at first, but I settled in quickly and learned how things work in Cortez and Montezuma County.

I am sad to be leaving Cortez, but it is time for me to move on. I have grown professionally and personally in the 16 months I have lived here. I know that I will always be able to look back on my time in Cortez and remember how much I learned.

Thanks to all who worked with me and allowed me to interview them, and thanks to everyone who read my stories. Keep supporting local journalism!

Sincerely,

Jacob Klopfenstein