Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Thursday, June 25, 2026
Ty's Take
We're staring down November with a ballot full of hard choices, and the one that ought to keep county commissioners up at night is Initiative 175. Diverting state road funds sounds like a local fix until you remember that every dollar Colorado sends our way gets stretched thin across four counties and two national forests—and that's before the tourists start rolling in hard. The real question isn't whether we need better roads; anybody who's driven Wolf Creek Pass in spring knows we do. The real question is whether we're willing to bet the ranch that Sacramento and Washington won't squeeze Colorado River water tighter than they already have. You can't fix potholes with dry wells.
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Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: Some Very Expensive Mistakes, Part Five
Pagosa Springs Planning Commission unanimously approved a sketch plan for a proposed 100-acre subdivision called Pagosa West near City Market, submitted by Arena Labs LLC from Montrose. The developers plan to divide the project into 12 phases potentially spanning 20-30 years, with workforce housing...
Initiative 175 — to Divert Colorado Funds to Roads — Approved for November Ballot
Colorado voters will decide on Initiative 175 in November, a constitutional amendment that would redirect over $500 million annually from motor vehicle and sales taxes to road construction. The state legislature passed a bill to reduce gas taxes for four years if the measure passes, attempting to...
BIG PIVOTS: Will the Federal Government Buy Down Colorado River Demand?
Water experts at a University of Colorado conference explored the idea of paying users to voluntarily give up their rights to Colorado River water as a solution to the river's mounting deficit, which has ballooned from 1.5 million to nearly 4 million acre-feet. Agriculture dominates water usage in...
READY, FIRE, AIM: A Dangerous Substance
A local columnist questions whether AI apps possess realistic self-awareness about their limitations, noting that they frequently make unfounded assumptions rather than asking clarifying questions. While some AI platforms offer thoughtful responses on complex topics, others fail to generate...
Some Safety Experts Worried About Changing Fire Codes
States and cities are loosening building codes to reduce construction costs and increase affordable housing, including allowing single-stairway apartment buildings, but safety experts worry these changes remove protections shaped by past tragedies. Federal legislation and model code updates could...
Great July 4th Recipes from Natural Grocers
Natural Grocers is promoting a collection of healthy July 4th recipes featuring colorful salads, refreshing mocktails, and patriotic desserts to help customers celebrate Independence Day. The store encourages readers to subscribe to their Health Hotline Magazine for additional seasonal recipes and...
CHAMBER NEWS: Business Happy Hour Tomorrow, Ribbon Cutting on Saturday
The Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business networking happy hour Thursday evening and a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday for Pagosa Peak Family Dentistry's new location. The Chamber also highlights the upcoming Park-to-Park Event running July 2-5 with over 100 booths and food...
LETTER: Escape from Pagosa Springs
A Bayfield resident who relocated from Pagosa Springs credits the Pagosa Daily Post's reporting on development pressures for helping them decide to leave town three years ago. The former resident expressed concern about ongoing development plans and praised the newspaper's coverage of local issues.
OPINION: A Double Standard at Department of Homeland Security
A retired educator argues the U.S. Department of Homeland Security applies immigration standards inconsistently, noting that Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir—convicted of supporting terrorism and incitement—receives U.S. visas while lawful permanent residents face deportation for minor...
OPINION: The Price of Miscalculation in the Middle East
An analyst argues that recent U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran in February failed to achieve their objectives of regime change and nuclear disarmament, ultimately strengthening Iran's negotiating position. The author contends that the attacks were predictable failures because planners...
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