Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Thursday, July 30, 2026
Ty's Take
The Rio Blanco Fire south of town didn't wait for anyone to be ready, and that's the thing about living where we do. One minute you're thinking about the sanitation district's wastewater treatment plans and the next you're loading a truck because the hills are burning again. The hot springs that bring tourists and money here sit in the middle of some of the driest, most fire-prone country in the state, and we've had enough seasons now to know that celebration and evacuation orders can live in the same week. Grateful to Springs Resort for stepping up with discounts for those displaced, and grateful the evacuation held before the worst of it. But this is the year we should be thinking less about economic impact reports and more about what we're actually protecting when we say we love this place.
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Pagosa Springs SUN
It’s a great time to celebrate community
Pagosa Springs celebrates community resilience following the Rio Blanco Fire, with neighbors rallying to support those affected and no evacuees needing overnight shelter. The town marks multiple milestones this year, including Colorado's 150th statehood anniversary on August 1, with the Pagosa...
This article contains no substantive content to summarize.
Historical records from 1926 describe a concentrated lime deposit near Dyke, about 40 miles east of Durango, being developed for use as a fireproof building finish. The 1951 records note the San Juan Basin Health Unit adopted garbage disposal ordinances similar to Pagosa Springs' standards, and the...
Colorado secretary of state certifies primary election results
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold certified the 2026 primary election results on July 24, following a bipartisan post-election audit completed by county clerks statewide. Mail ballots dominated participation, accounting for 98.29 percent of the 1.4 million ballots cast, while overall...
Town’s sanitation district updated on procurement process for new wastewater treatment facility
Pagosa Springs town staff recommended the Construction Manager at Risk method for procuring a new wastewater treatment facility downtown, citing its ability to shift project risk to the contractor while allowing owner oversight from design through completion. Mayor Shari Pierce expressed concern...
Colorado Court Committee seeks input on jury selection practices
Colorado's Jury Selection Working Group, established through HB26-1288, is seeking public input on three key areas: attorney questioning time during jury selection, the use of juror questionnaires, and judicial rehabilitation of biased jurors. The working group plans to submit proposed rule changes...
New law to affect minors driving e-bikes, e-motos
Starting August 12, Colorado minors seeking a motorcycle endorsement must now obtain written permission from a parent or guardian rather than just verbal consent from anyone over 21. E-motorcycle riders in Colorado must be at least 16, hold a valid motorcycle license with endorsement, carry...
Pagosa Springs Main Street seeks new advisory board member
Pagosa Springs Main Street is seeking one new volunteer to expand its advisory board from 10 to 11 members as downtown construction winds down and the program shifts focus toward future initiatives. The program has earned Main Street America accreditation in 2024 and 2025, and Main Street...
Fiber cut leads to telecommunications outages
A fiber cut in La Plata County near Bayfield on July 23 disrupted telecommunications across Archuleta County and Pagosa Springs for nearly 10 hours, affecting internet, phone, cellular, and dispatch services until restoration at about 8 p.m. The incident underscored the value of a redundant fiber...
Tourism industry contributed $29.2 billion to Colorado economy in 2025
Colorado's tourism industry contributed a record 29.2 billion dollars to the state economy in 2025, welcoming 96.8 million visitors despite slower growth attributed to increased competition and federal policy uncertainty. Tourism directly supported 187,860 jobs statewide, though employment declined...
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Pagosa Daily Post
EMERGENCY EVACUATION: Rio Blanco Fire South of Pagosa Springs
The Rio Blanco Fire south of Pagosa Springs reached approximately 120 acres with zero containment as of 10 p.m. on July 28, prompting a mandatory evacuation order for County Road 335 and pre-evacuation warnings for surrounding areas. Ground crews, dozer lines, and aerial support were deployed to...
EDITORIAL: Data Centers in Pagosa Springs? Part Three
Pagosa Springs town officials discussed whether to define data centers in the town code or impose a moratorium on large data center development, noting the codes currently lack specific guidelines on where such facilities would be permitted. The editorial draws parallels to a 2008 effort to address...
READY, FIRE, AIM: Not a Money Machine… But Still, a Published Novel of Some Kind
This article is a personal column and does not contain substantive news to summarize.
Greg Lopez Qualifies for Colorado Ballot as Candidate for Governor
Former U.S. Representative Greg Lopez, a Republican who served briefly in 2024, has qualified for the November ballot as an unaffiliated candidate for Colorado governor after submitting sufficient signatures. Lopez is running for a third gubernatorial bid following unsuccessful primary campaigns in...
Rise in Preteen Suicides Has Mental Health Experts Concerned
Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control shows 194 preteens ages 8 to 12 died by suicide in 2025, the highest number since at least 2001, as the rate of preteen suicide has increased by an average of 8.2 percent annually since 2008. Mental health experts attribute the crisis to...
Archuleta County Landfill Closed
Archuleta County closed the landfill without providing public explanation or reopening timeline, though the closure may be related to staff assisting with Rio Blanco Fire response given the simultaneous timing of emergency notices.
Springs Resort Offers Discounted Rate for Those Displaced by Rio Blanco Fire
The Springs Resort is offering displaced Rio Blanco Fire residents a special nightly rate of 89 dollars with the resort fee waived, providing immediate housing support to those evacuated from their homes.
HEALTHY ARCHULETA: A Community Food Hub for Pagosa Springs
Archuleta County is developing a Community Food Hub to support local growers, food entrepreneurs, and young people while strengthening food access and community connection in the Pagosa Springs area. The April 2026 Food Summit drew broad community backing for the project's vision of shared...
Evacuation Ordered on Lower Blanco Road on July 28
The Archuleta County Sheriff's Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for County Road 335 on Lower Blanco around 4:10 p.m. on July 28 as the Rio Blanco Fire grew to approximately 120 acres south of Eightmile Mesa. The fire, burning in steep terrain along Forest Service Road 653 about 12 miles...
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