Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Thursday, May 21, 2026
Ty's Take
Fire restrictions kick in Friday on the forest that surrounds us, which means the season of holding our breath officially begins again. Between the guardrail repairs the county's tackling, the wildfire prep pieces running in the Post, and all the talk about what another bad summer might cost us, it's clear that living in the San Juans means living with the understanding that prevention and maintenance aren't luxuries—they're the price of staying here. That doesn't stop anyone from coming to the car show or the Chimney Rock Festival or registering for a plant walk, and it shouldn't, but it's worth remembering as you plan your summer that the town coming alive with color and chrome is the same town that knows fire season the way a sailor knows weather. We do the work because we have to. We also do it because we love it here.
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Pagosa Springs SUN
PAWSD board hears Aspen House fee waiver presentation
The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District board reclassified the Aspen House project from commercial to residential, potentially clearing the way for approximately $71,000 in fee waivers for the developmental disability residential facility. Aspen House organizers said the waivers would help...
As Memorial Day approaches, community leaders and Medal of Honor recipients are reminding residents that the holiday honors those who gave their lives in military service, not just marking the start of summer. A local ceremony is planned for Monday at Hilltop Cemetery at 10 a.m. to remember fallen...
This article contains only a brief reference to a 'Looking Back' feature and does not provide substantive news content to summarize.
Historical records from the Pagosa Springs SUN archives document milestones including the 1926 high school graduation class, 1951 rodeo facility expansions, and the 1976 Bicentennial celebration, showing the town's growth over fifty years. These legacy items highlight community progress from small...
Car Show set for June 12-13, hanging flower baskets to arrive soon
The Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Car Show June 12-13 at Yamaguchi Park, featuring classic cars, a model car display, cornhole tournament, and a pin-up girl contest, with free admission and awards Saturday afternoon. Hanging flower baskets will also arrive soon at the...
Business Spotlight: Pagosa Peak Family Dentistry expands in new era of care
Pagosa Peak Family Dentistry has relocated to a new state-of-the-art facility at 2737 Cornerstone Drive, maintaining its 30-year reputation for personalized family care while expanding capacity under the leadership of Dr. Peter Roukema and his wife Christy. The move preserves the practice's...
County contracts to repair multiple guardrails
Archuleta County commissioners unanimously approved a contract with Coral Construction Company to repair eight damaged guardrails across the county for $85,550, with work on roads in three districts. County officials are asking law enforcement agencies to report vehicle crashes to improve the...
Life at Chimney Rock Festival to return June 6-7
The Life at Chimney Rock Festival returns June 6-7 at Chimney Rock National Monument with free admission thanks to a U.S. Forest Service waiver, offering hands-on activities like pottery, weaving, and atlatl throwing plus Native American performances and artwork sales. Visitors can enjoy cultural...
Spring recreation begins with a focus on safety and environmental stewardship
As outdoor recreation season begins, Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges visitors to balance recreation with conservation and safety, emphasizing weather preparedness, wildlife awareness, and proper water safety gear. CPW warns that lower water levels from drought may affect boating access at some...
Registration open for June plant walk with Lake McCullough
The Weminuche Audubon Society is offering three free guided plant walks with certified herbalist Lake McCullough, starting June 8 in Martinez Canyon to identify edible and medicinal native plants. Spots are limited to 15 participants per walk; interested hikers should call McCullough at (970)...
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Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: The Cost of Wildfire Preparations, Part Two
Sheriff Mike Le Roux presented a forest mitigation project for Martinez Canyon aimed at reducing wildfire risk, requesting a $187,000 local match to leverage a $562,000 FEMA grant for the $750,000 fuel-thinning effort. The project targets 300 acres of private and BLM land and must be 'shovel ready'...
LPEA Election Results Announced
La Plata Electric Association held its annual meeting and announced 2026 election results, with Nicole Pitcher winning in Archuleta County and other candidates elected to board seats across the cooperative's four districts. The membership also approved a bylaw amendment clarifying voter eligibility...
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Starting This Friday, May 22, in San Juan National Forest
San Juan National Forest is implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions at lower elevations beginning Friday, May 22, prohibiting campfires and smoking outside developed areas due to rapidly drying vegetation. Violators face minimum $530 fines, with higher elevation wilderness areas currently exempt as...
READY, FIRE, AIM: Wanton Destruction of CBS Property, for Your Entertainment
The article is an opinion piece about 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' ending its run on CBS, discussing the cancellation's financial motivations and a comedic final episode featuring destruction of CBS property. The piece uses dark humor to critique the network and media industry practices.
CHAMBER NEWS: Pagosa Coming Alive with Color and Chrome
The Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce annual Car Show runs June 12-13 at Yamaguchi Park, featuring classic cars, custom builds, model cars, and contests with free admission throughout the weekend. The event also includes hanging basket pickup at the chamber parking lot, marking the start of...
SENIOR NEWS: Honoring Gold Star Mother Eve Taylor
Archuleta Seniors, Inc. is honoring Gold Star Mother Eve Taylor, whose son died in military service in Afghanistan, and encouraging community reflection on Memorial Day's true meaning beyond summer season kickoff. Seniors are invited to participate in remembrance events at ASI, which will be closed...
HEALTHY ARCHULETA: Youth Prevention Initiative Builds Media Literacy & Leadership Skills
Local high school and middle school students completed a youth tobacco prevention initiative focusing on media literacy and vaping awareness through partnerships between Healthy Archuleta, schools, and the health department. Students created anti-vaping campaign materials displayed at the Food...
Research Shows Colorado Families Struggling with Energy Costs
Research by Energy Outreach Colorado shows many state households struggle to afford energy costs, often choosing between utilities and basic necessities like food and medicine. The organization is working with utilities and policymakers to strengthen assistance programs and ensure clean energy...
OPINION: After the Servers Go Dark
An opinion piece examines the long-term consequences of hyperscale data centers in rural communities, drawing parallels to nuclear power plant closures that devastated local tax bases and government services. The author warns that communities should plan for the eventual closure and economic...
EDITORIAL: The Cost of Wildfire Preparations, Part One
Archuleta County faces growing wildfire risk, with Sheriff Le Roux and community members discussing mitigation strategies following last year's Oak Fire, which burned 75 acres near Aspen Springs. County and private landowners are working on forest thinning projects, though officials note that wind...
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