As the November national election nears, Colorado Mountain College has confirmed six live upcoming talks with Dr. Richard Haass in communities throughout the college’s district to discuss the importance of civil discourse and civic engagement.

Haass, author of the New York Times bestselling book, “The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens,” is part of CMC’s nonpartisan series, “Rediscovering Common Ground.” Haass will discuss his book, the 2024 CMC Common Reader selection, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., October 15 at CMC Vail Valley at Edwards. The event is free and open to the public, though attendees are encouraged to register now for the talk at coloradomtn.edu/event/author-talk-vail-valley/.

Haass is an experienced diplomat, historical scholar and president emeritus of the nonpartisan Council on Foreign Relations, which he headed from 2003-23. He served at the Pentagon, State Department and White House under four presidents, Democrat and Republican alike. He is the author or editor of 15 other books besides “The Bill of Obligations” including “The World: A Brief Introduction” and “A World in Disarray,” and has been consistently called upon to speak on current world events with media outlets, including PBS, CNN, NBC and CBS, among others.

In addition to his Oct. 15 talk at CMC Vail Valley, Haass will give talks at five additional CMC campuses in October: at CMC Aspen on Oct. 14; at CMC Spring Valley on Oct. 14; at CMC Leadville on Oct. 15; at CMC Breckenridge on Oct. 16; and at CMC Steamboat Springs on Oct. 17.

Books are available at local bookstores and libraries. Complementary copies of the book are available at CMC locations.

CMC Vail Valley is at 150 Miller Ranch Road, Edwards. For more information, go to coloradomtn.edu/common-reader or call the Vail Valley campus at 970-569-2900.