Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Friday, July 17, 2026
Ty's Take
The drilling concerns down in Arboles aren't new, but the fact that residents keep showing up to say so tells you something about what happens when outside money moves into somebody else's backyard. You can talk efficiency all you want—and Lord knows we need to talk water in this county—but folks aren't worried about their landscape watering schedules when they're wondering what's happening underneath their land. The state says one thing, the company says another, and meanwhile the people who actually live there are left reading between the lines and hoping their well water stays clean. That's not paranoia. That's just paying attention.
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Pagosa Springs SUN
Residents voice more concerns over safety issues related to Arboles area drilling project
Archuleta County commissioners heard safety complaints from Arboles residents about increased truck traffic from a neighboring New Mexico drilling project, with residents reporting dangerous speeding and near-miss accidents on County Road 975. The residents urged county officials to use their...
Making the best of less: Watering efficiently in a Pagosa Country drought
After a dry June and early July, summer monsoon rains have brought some drought relief to Archuleta County, though the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District remains in drought stage two with strict watering restrictions. Local water experts shared advice on maximizing limited irrigation water...
Distraction doesn’t have to control you: Five habits of focused drivers
Colorado State Patrol investigated 600 distracted-driving crashes in 2025 and found that interior distractions like loose objects account for over half of accidents. State police recommend drivers adopt five simple habits, including setting navigation before leaving and using phone "Do Not Disturb"...
E-bike vs. e-moto: Colorado State Patrol wants you to research before you buy
Colorado State Patrol warns parents to carefully check specifications before buying e-bikes, as some retailers are selling high-speed electric motorcycles while marketing them as standard bikes, which bypass licensing and age requirements. Vehicles exceeding 750 watts or 28 mph must be registered...
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Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: The Mysteries of Water Demand and Public Finance, Part Four
A Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District board volunteer explains the complexities of local water supply, noting the district has secure rights to divert 5 cubic feet per second from the West Fork San Juan River, but agricultural users like the Park Ditch can divert 12 times that amount during...
OPINION: New ICE Detention Center Poses Critical Test for Colorado
An opinion piece warns that allowing federal immigration authorities to open a second detention center in Colorado would represent a moral failure, pointing to reports of inhumane conditions and inadequate medical oversight at the existing Aurora ICE facility. The author calls on state leaders and...
A New Low on the Colorado River
Scientists report that combined water storage in Lake Powell and Lake Mead reached a historic low in July 2026, breaking the previous record set in 2023 and matching levels not seen since 1957. The depletion rate has accelerated dramatically since March, with the reservoirs losing approximately...
INTEL FROM THE IVORY TOWER: Obstinate Daughters
Author Denise Kiernan discusses overlooked female figures in American history, including Mercy Otis Warren, a fierce satirist who advised Congress, and Mary Katherine Goddard, who printed the first Declaration of Independence with signers' names but has never appeared on a U.S. stamp. The interview...
INTERVIEW: Author Heather Hansman on Ski Culture and the Future of Outdoor Recreation
Journalist Heather Hansman discusses her new book about three pioneering women in outdoor recreation: Georgie White, an early Grand Canyon rafter; Anne LaBastille, an Adirondack mountain guide; and Dolores LaChapelle, a big mountain skier and deep ecology founder in Colorado's San Juan Mountains....
LIBRARY NEWS: Want a Thriving Community? Build a Strong Library
Pagosa Springs' Ruby Sisson Library serves as a hub for community connection and social capital, bringing together children, families, seniors, and language learners through programs and gatherings. The library is expanding this fall with a grand opening planned for September 12, and summer reading...
SENIOR CENTER: Safe Driver Course Offered Tomorrow
The Pagosa Senior Center is offering an AARP Safe Driver Course on Friday, July 17, to help older adults refresh driving skills and potentially qualify for car insurance discounts. The center also reminds seniors to take precautions during wildfire season, including staying indoors during poor air...
E-Bike? E-Motorcycle? Parents Should Know the Difference
Colorado State Patrol cautions parents that some retailers are mislabeling high-powered electric motorcycles as standard e-bikes, creating legal and safety risks for young riders. Vehicles with motors exceeding 750 watts or speeds over 28 mph require registration, insurance, and a motorcycle...
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