Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Saturday, September 12, 2026
Ty's Take
The Swiss Roll Fire sitting in our backyard without threatening homes yet is the kind of news that lets you breathe easier and worry harder at the same time. After the summers we've seen around here, any fire within sight of Pagosa Springs gets your attention, and the fact that it's contained for now doesn't erase the knowledge that conditions are dry enough to keep firefighters earning their pay. Add a major road reconstruction starting next week, a Planning Commission that's been wrestling with development requests through the summer, and a community still working through what kind of town it wants to be, and you've got the kind of week where people are probably wishing the Peace Walk on the 12th would stretch a little longer. David Ottman's appointment to the bench is good news for the district, but it also reminds you that governance around here matters more than it used to, when there were fewer people and fewer decisions to make.
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Pagosa Springs SUN
Governor appoints David K. Ottman to 6th Judicial District Court
Governor Jared Polis has appointed David K. Ottman to serve on the 6th Judicial District Court, effective January 13, 2027, filling a vacancy left by Judge Anthony Baca's retirement. Ottman, who owns Ottman Law LLC and has spent nearly two decades in prosecutorial roles within the 6th and 11th...
Community invited to Peace Walk Pagosa Springs on Sept. 12
Pagosa Springs residents are invited to participate in Peace Walk Pagosa Springs on Friday, September 12, from 8 to 9 a.m., beginning at Town Park and proceeding along Hot Springs Boulevard to Yamaguchi Park, then up the Riverwalk to the Ruby M. Sisson Library's grand reopening celebration. The...
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Pagosa Daily Post
‘Swiss Roll Fire’ Near Pagosa Springs Poses No Immediate Threats to Life or Property
The lightning-caused Swiss Roll Fire, located east of Pagosa Springs near Quartz Meadow, has grown to approximately 30 acres and poses no immediate threat to lives or structures due to its remote location. Fire managers are using an indirect containment strategy rather than direct engagement...
EDITORIAL: Town Planning Commission Considering Developments on Sept. 8, Part Four
A town planning commission is reviewing a proposal to develop 70 acres of forest and meadows west of the Elementary School into a high-density residential neighborhood, raising concerns about housing affordability in Pagosa Springs. This decision reflects broader tensions between promoting economic...
Large US School Districts Restricting Student AI Use
New York City and Los Angeles, the nation's two largest school districts, are restricting student use of artificial intelligence in classrooms this year, with other districts across Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Texas, and Washington following similar bans or limitations. The restrictions aim to...
READY, FIRE, AIM: A Never-Ending Story, If You Don’t Mind
A column examines humanity's place within time and the mystery surrounding our understanding of creation and endings, reflecting on the author's own birth announcement and questioning how different accounts describe the beginning of the world despite no witnesses being present. The piece uses...
News from Town of Pagosa Springs
The Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District is moving forward with three major projects including planning for a new Wastewater Treatment Facility, upgrading Pump Stations 1 and 2, and nearing completion of the McCabe Creek sewer line replacement. The Town has also updated Hill Top...
BUSINESS: West Slope Startup Week Returns to Durango, Oct. 5-9
West Slope Startup Week returns to Durango from October 5 through 9 for its fourth year, offering more than 60 free sessions to 500 expected entrepreneurs, investors, and startup supporters. The event features tracks covering technology, funding, climate, and entrepreneurship for creatives, along...
LETTER: Who is Our Town Government Serving?
A letter writer questions whether Pagosa Springs town government is serving the wishes of voters, noting a disconnect between the town's historical promotion of unfettered growth and the majority of residents' preference for controlled development. The writer challenges whether appointed planning...
PAGOSA UU FELLOWSHIP: If We Dislike Ourselves… Do We Dislike the Earth?
The Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will host a Going Deeper Sharing Circle on Sunday, September 13, exploring themes of interdependence and our connection to the natural world through the lens of Transcendentalist theology. The open circle, held at Greenbriar Plaza Unit B-15, welcomes all...
HIGHWAY 160 RECONSTRUCTION: September 14-18
Highway 160 reconstruction will bring traffic pattern changes the week of September 14, with utility work continuing on 7th Street and the 7th Street intersection closure lasting through mid-September. Work at the Harman Park and Piedra Road intersection will begin mid-September during 9 a.m. to 3...
Registration Open for Town Recreation Programs
The Town of Pagosa Springs Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for fall 2026 programs including wrestling for young children, and basketball leagues for both coed and girls' age groups, with early registration urged to avoid late fees. Programs can be registered online...
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