Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Thursday, August 27, 2026
Ty's Take
Water. It's the only story that matters in Archuleta County right now, and anybody paying attention to the meetings down at Town Hall already knows it. The water conservancy approving a demand study, PAWSD talking drought enforcement, the Colorado River running lower every year, Denver turning off the taps come October, and our own municipal advisor likely getting an earful about what comes next. This isn't new ground, but the conversation's getting sharper and the numbers don't lie. Ranchers know it, the ski area knows it, the folks watering their lawns know it. The question isn't whether we're dry. It's what we do about it while we still have time to decide.
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Pagosa Springs SUN
The Pagosa Springs SUN's 'Looking Back' column highlights items of local interest from past editions.
Historical excerpts from the Pagosa Springs SUN show oil and gas exploration eight miles west of Pagosa Springs in 1926, improved town services and school preparations in 1951, and record school enrollment alongside a lightning fatality in 1976.
U.S. 160 reconstruction information
U.S. 160 reconstruction work in Pagosa Springs continues with the 7th Street intersection closure extending through mid-September, while crews plan to open the North 3rd Street intersection and begin work at Harman Park and Piedra Road in mid-September. Safety upgrades at the Harman Park and Piedra...
Town council hears report from municipal advisor
Pagosa Springs Town Council heard from municipal advisor Joey McLiney that the town accomplished significant projects in 24 months, including passing a sales tax measure with 76 percent voter approval and securing affordable workforce housing at roughly one-third the original projected cost....
PAWSD talks drought conditions and enforcement
The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District Board discussed drought enforcement and found that public education and phone calls to violators are producing good compliance without needing formal fines while the district remains in drought stage two. The board preferred continuing the phone call...
PAWSD hears financial report, discusses budget roadmap
The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District reported healthy general fund finances and on-track property tax collections, though water and wastewater revenues remain below 2026 expectations. The district will face tighter debt service coverage requirements with approximately 540,000 dollars in...
League of Women Voters supports Archuleta nonprofits
The local League of Women Voters screened a nonprofit documentary and awarded grants to three Archuleta County organizations: Ruby Sisson Memorial Library for its makers' space, Healthy Archuleta for community health programs, and Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County for home builds. All three...
County’s unemployment rate rises in July
Archuleta County's unemployment rate rose to 3.6 percent in July from 3.3 percent in June, with 233 people unemployed out of a labor force of 6,546. Colorado's statewide unemployment remained at 3.9 percent while the national rate decreased to 4.1 percent.
Rio Blanco Fire road closure lifted, but hazards still present
The road closure for the Rio Blanco Fire has been lifted from National Forest System roads 653, 653.B, and 008, though hazards remain in the burned area including fire-weakened trees and erosion risks. Travelers are cautioned to avoid driving on road 653.B due to damage from heavy fire traffic.
Water conservancy approves water demand study contract
The San Juan Water Conservancy District Board approved a 147,400 dollar water demand study contract with RJH Consultants to be split between 2026 and 2027 for its reservoir project. The board emphasized the need for monthly updates from RJH and will pursue all necessary budget amendments by October...
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Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: ‘Create an Educated Community About Housing Needs and Solutions’, Part Four
A Pagosa Daily Post editorial critiques the 43-page Housing Action Plan draft as too lengthy and recommends simplifying it to help residents understand where housing will be placed and costs to taxpayers. The editorial advocates establishing clear priorities among the plan's 22 proposed actions...
Meta Settles Social Media Lawsuit; Colorado to Get $615 Million
Tech giant Meta agreed to pay over 17 billion dollars nationwide to settle a case centered on youth social media addiction, with Colorado receiving more than 615 million dollars over nine years. The settlement requires Meta to implement daily limits for children, limit notifications during school...
READY, FIRE, AIM: The Cold, Hard Truth About the Colorado River
Nevada filed the first lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's Colorado River plan that orders Nevada, Arizona, and California to cut water use by approximately 20 percent over the next two years. The opinion piece argues that Upper Basin states like Colorado own the water by right under the...
Lawn Watering Ends in Denver on October 1
Denver Water announced that its 1.5 million customers in metropolitan Denver must end lawn watering on October 1 due to drought conditions, with only hand-watering of gardens and trees allowed. Reservoirs stand at 72 percent full compared to a historical median of 94 percent for this time of year.
Colorado Sets a New Record for Renewable Energy
Colorado set a new renewable energy record in the second quarter of 2026 with renewables responsible for 56.1 percent of total electricity, led by wind, solar, and hydro sources. Solar power increased 26 percent compared to the first half of 2025 while coal production fell 45 percent.
LIBRARY NEWS: Read Wild! Party Today
The Ruby Sisson Memorial Library celebrates its Read Wild! summer program with an end-of-summer party today in Yamaguchi Park, and prepares to move into its new expanded facility, reopening September 12 with a full day of ceremonies and activities. The library also transitioned its e-book...
Register Now for the 2026 Archuleta Health Fair & Expo
The fourth annual Archuleta Health Fair and Expo returns Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 7 a.m. to noon at Pagosa Springs High School, offering community members a chance to connect with local health resources and providers.
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