Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Ty's Take
The wolves are back in the San Juans, and the state's latest count confirms what most of us already know from the scat and the tracks and the occasional early-morning sighting—they're establishing themselves in our backcountry like they never left. That's going to matter for ranchers and hunters and anyone who spends real time up in the forest, and it'll matter differently depending on which side of the fence you stand on. The Bioblitz happening this weekend—where folks are out cataloging everything that lives in Archuleta County—might seem like a different conversation altogether, but it's really the same one. We're trying to figure out what kind of country we want to live in, and that's never been a simple question around here.
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Pagosa Springs SUN
Don’t miss Archuleta County’s inaugural Bioblitz
Archuleta County's first Bioblitz on June 20 invites community members of all experience levels to explore local ecosystems and document biodiversity along the San Juan Riverwalk and Reservoir Hill. The family-friendly event costs $25 for adults and $10 for children, includes dinner and a T-shirt,...
Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship to hear from visiting minister
The Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship welcomes visiting minister Rev. Michael Brown on May 17 for a sermon exploring whether Hell exists and its cultural impact on society and politics. Brown brings over 30 years of ministerial experience and will speak at the fellowship's 10:30 a.m. service...
SpiritFire Inspirational Living Center announces upcoming events
SpiritFire Inspirational Living Center is hosting Vietnam Veterans Giveback Day on May 17 with a service at 11 a.m. and free treatments for veterans. The center also offers upcoming events including a New Moon Drumming Circle on May 16 and a Medicine Wheel Playshop in June.
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Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: PAWSD Looks Ahead… to a Potential Budget Crunch, Part One
The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District faces a potential revenue shortfall that could threaten its ability to meet loan obligations tied to major infrastructure projects, according to an analysis of first-quarter financials. Capital Investment Fees from new development are tracking...
Colorado Governor Polis Commutes Sentence for Tina Peters, and Others
Governor Polis commuted the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, reducing her nine-year prison term to four years and four months after her conviction for breaching the county's election system. The decision drew sharp criticism from state officials including Attorney General Phil...
Colorado Releases Annual Report on Gray Wolf Populations
Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports a minimum of 32 gray wolves in the state, with 24 living in established packs and strong pup recruitment indicating a healthy population trend. The annual report highlights the agency's progress in monitoring, conflict management and research as the wolf...
READY, FIRE, AIM: Honey, I Shrunk the Economy!
A German court ruled that candy maker Mondelēz deceived consumers by reducing the Milka chocolate bar by 10 percent while keeping the same wrapper and raising the price. The case highlights a widespread U.S. trend where companies shrink product sizes while maintaining or increasing prices.
THE DAILY YONDER: Soundtracks for Heading Home to Rural America
Two new albums from Kacey Musgraves and Noah Kahan explore the emotional complexity of returning to one's rural hometown, blending nostalgia, longing and the tension between staying put and moving on. The records offer a musical soundtrack for the complicated feelings that accompany trips back to...
Kennedy Struggles to Balance MAHA and White House Agenda
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces pressure from his Make America Healthy Again supporters who want stricter vaccine policies while the White House pushes back against his anti-vaccine agenda. Kennedy says he has no plans to run for president in 2028, despite speculation from some MAHA...
Colorado Announces Grant Program to Address Youth Crime Prevention
Colorado is launching a $2.9 million annual grant program to redirect youth away from the justice system and toward community-based support services, with applications due by June 1. The competitive grants will fund trauma-informed prevention and intervention programs, with priority given to...
Learn ‘Birding By Ear’ at Audubon Presentation This Wednesday
The Weminuche Audubon Chapter will host a presentation on bird identification by song and call on May 20, led by naturalist Keith Bruno. The skill is essential for volunteers in the chapter's Forest Bird Monitoring Project and adds enjoyment to backyard bird watching.
Sign Up for Town Recreation Programs
The Town of Pagosa Springs Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for adult and coed softball leagues through June 8, with the season running June 15 through August 6. Fall youth program registration opens June 1 and will include soccer, basketball, arts and crafts.
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