Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Ty's Take
The stack of stories this week—wildfire prep costs climbing, water staying tight, geothermal schemes eyeing our backyard—keeps circling back to the same hard truth about living here: paradise costs something, and it's not just the second-mortgage payment. We can host festivals and draw visitors to our hot springs and mountains all we want, but the real work happens in the unglamorous stuff—the fire mitigation that eats a budget, the water rationing that reminds us we're in the high desert whether we like it or not, the long-term bets on energy and land use that'll shape Archuleta County decades from now. It's easy to love Pagosa when you're soaking in 147-degree water on a winter afternoon. Harder when you're sitting through another meeting about Stage 1 drought restrictions or calculating whether your county can afford to keep burning. That's where we actually live.
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Pagosa Springs SUN
SpiritFire Inspirational Living Center announces events
SpiritFire Inspirational Living Center is hosting two upcoming events at the Xanadu retreat: a sound bowl meditation and potluck with shaman Scott Maki on May 31, and a medicine wheel sacred journey workshop with Shayla White Eagle on June 7. Both events require donations and advance registration...
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Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: The Cost of Wildfire Preparations, Part Four
Forest mitigation efforts in Archuleta County aim to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk while protecting water supplies, infrastructure, and local economies that depend on timber and recreation industries. The removal and productive use of biomass from overgrown forests creates healthier woodland...
Free ‘Life at Chimney Rock Festival’ Scheduled for June 6 & 7
Chimney Rock National Monument will host its annual Life at Chimney Rock Festival on June 6-7 with free admission thanks to the U.S. Forest Service. The event features hands-on demonstrations of Ancient Puebloan skills, Native American artists and vendors, traditional food, and dance performances...
BORDERLANDS HEALTH: The Body Keeps the Fallout, Part Two
Two documentaries and community workshops are raising awareness about the lasting health impacts of nuclear weapons testing on rural families in the Southwest. The educational efforts aim to help Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado residents understand federal environmental processes and...
READY, FIRE, AIM: This I Believe
A study published by international researchers found that Democrats tend to cluster their political beliefs more tightly than Republicans, suggesting that extreme positions have become increasingly identity-defining for Democratic voters. The research was conducted by non-American scientists,...
Geothermal Energy for Massive Utah Data Center?
Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico have formed the Mountain West Geothermal Consortium to develop clean, always-on geothermal energy across the region, with governors from both parties backing the effort. The partnership aims to streamline financing and regulations to accelerate geothermal...
PAWSD Customers Remain in Drought Management ‘Stage 1’
Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District will maintain drought restrictions limiting irrigation to evening and early morning hours as the San Juan River flow continues dropping significantly below normal levels. The region remains in a severe drought, and customers face tiered pricing for water...
OPINION: Post-9/11 Wars Have Cost Lives But Accomplished Nothing
Post-9/11 wars have cost Americans over $50 billion with little strategic gain, and current polling shows most voters now oppose continued military conflicts, particularly with Iran. Supporters of diplomacy point to the successful 2015 nuclear agreement as proof that negotiation—not warfare—is the...
OPINION: Candidate Scott Bottoms Challenging Colorado’s Entrenched Power Structure
Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Bottoms introduced a resolution demanding an independent state audit of Colorado's Supreme Court and Attorney General's Office, alleging systemic corruption and misuse of taxpayer dollars. The Democrat-controlled committee rejected the measure, and Bottoms...
Take Good Care While Enjoying the Colorado Outdoors
As Colorado's outdoor season heats up, Parks and Wildlife officials urge visitors to practice responsible recreation by preparing for weather, sticking to trails, and following safety guidelines—especially around cold water. Life jackets, proper gear, and awareness of hypothermia risks are critical...
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