Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Wednesday, May 06, 2026
Ty's Take
There's a federal trap door opening under Colorado, and it's worth understanding before someone in Washington pulls the lever. The feds are dangling wildfire funding in one hand while making demands about immigration enforcement and diversity programs in the other—the kind of either-or that sounds clean in a press release but gets messy fast in a place like Archuleta County, where we've learned the hard way what happens when your national forest goes up. San Juan National Forest doesn't care about culture war politics when August comes around and the lightning starts. Neither should we.
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Weather Alerts
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued May 5 at 10:47PM MDT until May 7 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures in the mid 20s to lower 30s. * WHERE...Animas River Basin, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, San Juan River Basin, Central Colorado River Basin, Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin, and Debeque to Silt Corridor. * WHEN...From midnight Wednesday Night to ...
Pagosa Springs SUN
Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship to hold ‘Rooted in Solidarity’ service
The Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will hold a rescheduled service called "Rooted in Solidarity" on Sunday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m., featuring stories and reflections on justice and compassionate action drawn from Unitarian and Universalist history. The fellowship is also hosting several...
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Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: A Government Obsessed with Recreation? Part Ten
A Pagosa Springs town council debate over spending millions to purchase and develop additional land for recreation has exposed a rift between leaders and voters about government spending priorities. Residents recently rejected a $3 million zero-interest loan for river restoration work, suggesting...
Federal Demands Regarding Immigration, DEI Could Cut Off Wildfire Funding in Some States
Federal contracting requirements tied to the Trump administration's positions on DEI, immigration, and transgender issues are threatening millions of dollars in wildfire prevention funding to some states, with Democratic-led states unable to sign the new terms because they conflict with state law....
Spring is Here and Bear Activity is Increasing
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is warning residents that black bears are emerging from winter dens and actively foraging for food, with nearly 100 reports of bear activity already recorded this spring. Wildlife officials urge residents to secure trash, bird feeders, and other food sources to prevent...
READY, FIRE, AIM: Considering Kings and Queens
A local columnist ponders the royal titles and protocol surrounding King Charles III and Queen Camilla's recent visit to the United States, questioning why Camilla receives the title "Queen" while historical precedent had Prince Philip called "Prince" despite marrying into the royal family. The...
ENTERTAINMENT: Indigenous-Centered ‘Dark Winds’ Adds Depth to the Crime TV Genre
AMC's fourth-season crime drama "Dark Winds," based on Tony Hillerman's Navajo detective novels, offers a fresh take on rural television by centering Indigenous characters and culture in the 1970s American Southwest. The series, executive produced by George R.R. Martin and featuring acclaimed...
Spring Band and Choir Concerts at Pagosa Springs High School, May 7 and 8
Pagosa Springs High School will host spring concerts for the district's band and choir programs on May 7 and 8, featuring performances from middle and high school ensembles plus a special appearance by fourth-graders. Both free, public concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. and celebrate a year of student...
Some Colorado Legislators Hoping to Neutralize ‘Restore Our Roads’ Ballot Initiative
Colorado lawmakers are drafting legislation to counter a November ballot initiative that would automatically redirect $700 million in annual gas and vehicle tax revenue toward road repairs, arguing it would effectively cut funding for education and healthcare. Democratic legislators say Initiative...
Pagosa Springs Remains in Drought Stage 1
Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District remains under Drought Stage 1 restrictions, limiting irrigation to evening and early morning hours when water evaporation is lowest. The area has been downgraded from "Extreme Drought" to "Severe Drought" status, though local reservoir levels and river flow...
Blood Drive Scheduled for May 13 at LDS Church
The Four Corners region will host a blood drive on Wednesday, May 13 from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at an LDS Church on Majestic Drive, with local volunteers seeking donations to support hospital transfusions throughout the region. Interested donors can schedule appointments by calling volunteer David...
States Eye Aid To Prop Up Distressed Hospitals Amid Federal Medicaid Cuts
Financially vulnerable hospitals in rural and urban areas nationwide are bracing for severe budget crises as federal Medicaid cuts take effect, with some facilities projecting annual revenue shortfalls exceeding $100 million. State officials are exploring emergency funding measures as federal...
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