Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Thursday, June 04, 2026
Ty's Take
Unemployment down to 2.8 percent, Pirates picking up all-state honors, and the school district moving forward with a new language arts curriculum—on the surface it reads like a town humming along fine. But underneath, the real story is the one you see in those permit denials and the water board meetings: Pagosa's trying to figure out who it wants to be, and that conversation happens one zoning decision at a time. When the town council and county are saying no to commercial development on the overlook and considering rezones in Aspen Springs, they're not just moving pieces on a map. They're deciding whether we stay a place where locals can still afford to live and work, or whether we become something else entirely. The schools are doing their job. The mountain community is doing its job. The question is whether the people making the big calls in this town remember who's been here the longest.
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Pagosa Springs SUN
School district approves new language arts curriculum
The Archuleta School District approved adoption of Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum for elementary and middle school students beginning in 2026-2027, aiming to create consistent instruction from kindergarten through eighth grade. District leaders said the new program will address achievement...
Colorado Department of Education releases state-level results from 2026 CMAS and PSAT/SAT
Colorado released preliminary 2026 state test results showing gains in elementary reading and math scores compared to the previous year. Full results with district-level data will be released publicly in August.
Pirates garner all-state honors
Six Pagosa Springs High School track and field athletes earned all-state honors at the state meet, including first-team selections in discus, high jump, and the 100-meter dash.
The San Juan Mountains Association partnered with the San Juan Outdoor Club to expand the Trail Ambassador Program in the Pagosa area, stationing volunteers at local trailheads to educate hikers about Leave No Trace practices. The program, which has operated since the early 1990s, helps minimize...
PAWSD updates rules and regulations
The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District updated its operational rules and regulations, streamlining procedures for water shutoffs and reconnections while also revising backflow prevention standards to align with state requirements. The changes aim to simplify management of the district's...
Water conservancy discusses grant progress, consultant work
The San Juan Water Conservancy District is pursuing grants to fund a water supply and demand study estimated to cost around $120,000 and is working with its engineering consultant on funding strategies. The district recently missed an application deadline for a Nature Conservancy grant due to...
Town council denies permit for private fireworks display downtown
The Pagosa Springs Town Council rejected a permit for a private fireworks display proposed for June 6 near downtown, citing fire danger, resource concerns, and the existing July 4 celebration. Neighbors raised concerns about potential wildfire risk from the professional display near wooded areas.
County to consider administrative rezone along with CDOT access project along in Aspen Springs
Archuleta County is considering an administrative rezone for commercial properties along U.S. 160 in Aspen Springs that are currently in violation of zoning codes, coinciding with a Colorado Department of Transportation project to establish legal road access in the area. The rezone would allow...
Town council denies outdoor commercial establishment permit for downtown overlook
The Pagosa Springs Town Council denied a permit for a mobile gelato cart at the scenic overlook downtown, citing concerns about timing during reconstruction and potential impacts on established brick-and-mortar ice cream businesses nearby. The applicant had proposed a seasonal, solar-powered...
County’s April unemployment rate drops to 2.8 percent
Archuleta County's unemployment rate fell to 2.8 percent in April, down from 3.2 percent the previous month and outperforming the state rate of 3.9 percent. The county's labor force totaled 6,669 people with 184 unemployed, reflecting strong local job growth.
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Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: Questions… About Pagosa Springs Medical Center’s TABOR Issue, Part Two
An editorial discusses confusion surrounding a potential ballot measure that would allow Pagosa Springs Medical Center to continue exemptions from Colorado's TABOR tax limits, noting that community leaders and residents lack clarity on how the law works. The writer calls for clearer public...
KSUT Executive Director Tami Graham Chosen for Governor’s Creative Leadership Award
KSUT Executive Director Tami Graham received the 2026 Arts and Community Action Award from Colorado Governor Jared Polis, recognizing her leadership in nonprofit broadcasting and community arts initiatives. Graham also contributes to multiple regional organizations and cofounded an adventure fund...
CDOT Releases 10-Year Transportation Plan
Colorado's Department of Transportation released a comprehensive 10-year transportation plan featuring over 250 statewide projects, including proposed bus service between Pagosa Springs and Durango at an estimated cost of $2.7 million. The plan prioritizes road repairs and safety improvements, with...
READY, FIRE, AIM: When Fast Fashion Becomes Unfashionable
A Colorado woman made headlines by wearing the same wool dress for 100 consecutive days to protest fast fashion consumption and environmental waste. The practice demonstrates that durable, quality clothing reduces the need for constant wardrobe replacement despite its higher initial cost.
Colorado Bills to Address Prison Overcrowding Signed into Law
Governor Jared Polis signed legislation aimed at addressing prison overcrowding in Colorado through reforms to sentencing and incarceration practices. The bills represent bipartisan effort to manage the state's corrections system challenges.
OPINION: Mother Wolf from King Mountain Pack Purposely Shot and Killed
A rancher shot and killed a mother wolf from the King Mountain pack in March, orphaning four pups, despite the animal merely crossing the property and not attacking livestock. Environmental advocates argue the killing violates the Endangered Species Act and call for accountability, noting the...
Rachel Suh, Candidate for Governor in Colorado, Names Running Mate
Unaffiliated gubernatorial candidate Rachel Suh named Drew Robertson as her running mate for Lieutenant Governor, building a campaign focused on veteran support, wildlife coexistence, and independent governance. Robertson founded Mattersville Vets, a sanctuary pairing veterans with wolves and...
Colorado Law Aims to Address Harmful Sports Betting
Governor Polis signed SB26-131, comprehensive legislation establishing safeguards against problem gambling through limits on online sports betting and consumer protections. The bipartisan law responds to explosive growth in Colorado's sports betting market since legalization in 2019 and addresses...
OPINION: Climate Chaos, Part Two
An opinion piece urges aggressive action on climate change, citing evidence from climate monitoring satellites that track over 72,000 major carbon polluters globally and estimate emissions are higher than previously reported. The writer calls for a complete ban on fossil fuel development by 2030 to...
Town Government Seeking Council Applicants
The Town of Pagosa Springs is accepting applications from eligible residents to fill an at-large town council vacancy, with an appointment to be made on June 16. Interested applicants must submit completed applications by the posted deadline.
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