Who is Ann Bennett? Pueblo County School Board Candidate for District 5

Voters in Pueblo County, Colorado, will decide who will represent District 5 on the Pueblo School District 70 Board of Education. Among the candidates is Ann Bennett, a general contractor, businesswoman, and longtime resident of the Greenhorn Valley.

Who is Ann Bennett? Early Life and Education

Ann Bennett was born in Pueblo, Colorado, but her story is deeply connected to the small town of Rye, where her family moved when she was just nine years old. She attended Rye Elementary School and Craver Middle School and spent her first year of high school at Rye High School before moving to Arizona with her family.

In adulthood, Bennett lived both out of state and abroad, traveling as part of a cross-cultural ministry program. She eventually returned home to Rye in 2012, where she continues to live and raise her family.

Family Life

Family has always been at the center of Bennett’s values. She is a mother of five children, including two daughters who are now teachers. Her experiences as both a parent and community member influence her views on education and the role of schools in supporting families.

Professional Career

Professionally, Ann Bennett wears many hats. She holds licenses as both a general contractor and a real estate agent. In 2013, she started her own business providing maintenance services for foreclosed homes. Her clients have included major institutions such as banks, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae).

Vision for Pueblo D70 Schools

If elected to the District 5 school board seat, Bennett has laid out several key priorities:

• Preserving Agricultural Programs: Bennett believes agricultural education is vital in rural schools. She has praised Rye’s ag program as “phenomenal” and wants to make sure such programs continue to thrive.

• Safe School Environment: She aims to ensure schools remain safe spaces for children to learn and grow.

• Fiscal Responsibility: Bennett emphasizes careful financial management and accountability.

• Supporting Families: She believes families are central to student success and wants the board to work alongside parents to provide resources and support.

• Parental Rights: Bennett supports the idea that parents should have a strong voice in education and wants curricula to remain free from what she describes as a “social agenda.”

Election Context

The District 5 seat is currently held by John Christenson, but as of August 29, 2025, Christenson is not listed as a registered candidate for re-election. Alongside Ann Bennett, Jenna Conklin is also running for the seat.

Other races include District 3, where Sam Ebersole and Michelle Erickson are registered to run, and District 4, where Chris DeLuca, Mark Emery, and Andrea Wade are candidates.