Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Thursday, August 06, 2026
Ty's Take
PAWSD's been working the drought problem hard these past weeks, hammering out the details on what violations look like and how they'll actually enforce them when the water gets tight enough that somebody's got to go without. That's the real work, the unglamorous stuff that keeps a town running when the San Juans don't give us what we're used to. Meanwhile, there's seven million in wildfire grant money sitting there for the taking, and some outfit wants to put an RV park on 84. You can see the tension in a single news cycle: we're trying to save water, trying to save the forest from burning, and trying to figure out who gets to build what next. Cynthia Purcell's been doing her part for a quarter century, and Pagosa's got some decisions to make about what comes after.
Sponsor Slot AvailableReach Pagosa Springs Locals Every MorningGet your business in front of engaged local readers. Boat dealers, realtors, restaurants, contractors, home services your audience is reading this right now.Become a Sponsor
Pagosa Springs SUN
PAWSD makes clarifications to drought plan, discusses handling violations
The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District board clarified its drought management plan on July 30, specifying that irrigation restrictions apply to both potable and non-potable water sources and setting watering hours between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. during drought phases. Lake Hatcher remains in good...
PAWSD approves response to assessor about drought restriction, ag users
The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District responded to Archuleta County Assessor Johanna Tully-Elliott's concerns about how drought-related rate increases affect agricultural operations, acknowledging that farms and ranches operating as businesses under Colorado law deserve consideration in the...
Build Pagosa regional workforce center
This article could not be summarized as no substantive content was provided in the source material beyond the headline.
Planning commission tables decision on proposed RV park on U.S. 84
The Archuleta County Planning Commission voted unanimously on July 23 to table its decision on Kevin O'Brien's proposed 20-site RV park on U.S. 84, citing concerns that commissioners did not receive additional presentation materials in advance. The proposal for the Cerulean Skies Ranch RV Park...
Cynthia Purcell retiring after 25 years of service
Cynthia Purcell is retiring after 25 years as district manager of the San Juan Conservation District and program support specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, having led numerous conservation initiatives across Archuleta and parts of Hinsdale and Mineral counties. Her...
$7.04 million in grant funds available to reduce wildfire risk
The Colorado State Forest Service is accepting applications for its Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation grant program, offering $7.04 million to eligible community groups, fire protection districts, nonprofits and others. Grants can fund fuels reduction and forest health projects on...
Bob Howard Memorial Pickleball Tournament
This article could not be summarized as no substantive content was provided in the source material beyond the headline.
Grass seed available for landowners
The San Juan Conservation District is taking orders until October 1 for specially developed seed mixtures designed for low-water conservation uses, including native grass, dryland pasture, native wildflower and wildlife blends, with erosion control blankets also available. Customers can pick up...
This article could not be summarized as no substantive content was provided in the source material beyond the headline.
This article could not be summarized as no substantive content was provided in the source material beyond the headline.
Sponsor Slot AvailableReach Pagosa Springs Locals Every MorningGet your business in front of engaged local readers. Boat dealers, realtors, restaurants, contractors, home services your audience is reading this right now.Become a Sponsor
Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: Ballots, Taxes, and Debts, Part Three
The Archuleta School District may propose up to $122 million in bonded debt for a new PreK-8 school facility on Vista Boulevard, with an anticipated property tax increase of approximately $5.65 per month per $100,000 in home value if voters approve. The district expects potential additional funding...
Colorado Students Seek Stronger Regulation of AI, Social Media
Members of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council presented policy proposals to state legislators on August 3 focused on strengthening regulations of social media and artificial intelligence, particularly regarding youth mental health protections. A proposal from 16-year-old Anabelle Pettinger from...
READY, FIRE, AIM: Not That Kind of ‘Fire’
A humor columnist reflects on the difficulties of using the word 'fire' in column titles while a 1,300-acre wildfire near Pagosa Springs burns along County Road 335 and forces evacuations. The column plays on the expression 'ready, aim, fire' while acknowledging the serious nature of the actual...
Federal Attempt to Obtain Colorado Voter Data Shut Down by Judge
A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration's lawsuit seeking to compel Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold to provide unredacted voter information, ruling that the voter registration list is not subject to the requested disclosure. Colorado is one of 30 states sued by the Department...
INTERVIEW: A Filmmaker Asking Hard Questions About Wildfires, Part One
Documentary filmmaker Hillary Bachelder discusses her film 'burn, scar,' which follows communities recovering from the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon wildfire in northern New Mexico, a 342,000-acre fire started accidentally by the U.S. Forest Service. The film examines the tragedy's impact on...
BIG PIVOTS: Colorado Land Board Seeking Proposals for Geothermal Development
The Colorado State Land Board has issued a request for proposals for geothermal energy development on state-managed properties in five southern Colorado counties, including Las Animas, La Plata, Alamosa, Rio Grande and Saguache. The initiative aims to generate revenue for public schools while...
Watercraft Asked to Avoid Portions of Echo Reservoir During Wildfire
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is requesting that boaters avoid the area west of the peninsula at Echo Canyon Reservoir State Wildlife Area while firefighting aircraft operating in connection with the Rio Blanco Fire dip buckets into the water. The request aims to ensure aircraft crews can operate...
OPINION: Why I Agreed to Run as Victor Marx’s Lt. Governor Nominee
Retired United States Marine Corps Colonel George Markert announced his acceptance as the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor on Victor Marx's ticket, citing concerns over education, public safety and energy policy in Colorado. Markert stated his intention to prioritize public safety, defend...
Montezuma County Sheriff Refusing to Issue Required Eligibility Cards
Montezuma County Sheriff Steven Nowlin announced the office will not issue the newly required eligibility cards for purchasing certain semiautomatic firearms under Senate Bill 25-3, citing financial and staffing constraints and constitutional concerns. County residents seeking eligibility cards...
HEALTHY ARCHULETA: Health Fair & Expo Coming in October
The 4th Annual Archuleta Health Fair and Expo will be held on Saturday, October 24, from 7 a.m. to noon at Pagosa Springs High School, offering low-cost wellness labs, healthcare screening services and connections to primary preventative care. The event, brought by the Archuleta Rural Health...
Rural News Wire is a daily local news digest for Pagosa Springs and rural America. We aggregate and curate, original reporting belongs to the sources linked above. Support local journalism by visiting their sites.
Subscribe free to get this digest in your inbox every morning.