Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Thursday, October 08, 2026
Ty's Take
There's real infrastructure work happening around town right now, and it's worth noticing. U.S. 160 reconstruction, the tire collection that happened despite the weather, the prescribed burn coming to Eight Mile Mesa tomorrow, the push to expand Head Start and hire agricultural interns, the historic preservation grant that landed here, even the commissioners listening to what people actually want in a comprehensive plan. This isn't glamorous news. It's the kind of work that doesn't make headlines unless you're paying attention, but it's what keeps a place from slowly tipping into decay or neglect. Pagosa's got its share of challenges, sure, but these stories suggest someone's still trying to build instead of just argue.
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Pagosa Springs SUN
Making the community a safer place
Rise Above Violence, now in its 30th year of serving Archuleta County, raised a record amount of funds at its annual Runway for Rise Recycled Fashion Gala in Pagosa Springs. The organization has grown from serving 52 victims in its first year to an average of 400 annually, with over 5,700...
U.S. 160 reconstruction information
Major reconstruction work on U.S. 160 in Pagosa Springs will continue through October with lane closures and detours affecting multiple intersections. Concrete pouring begins October 10, with utility work and paving operations planned at 1st Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, and other intersections,...
Commissioners hear community survey results for comprehensive plan
Archuleta County commissioners reviewed survey results from 366 residents guiding the new county comprehensive plan, with water supply and housing emerging as top priorities. Respondents, primarily full-time homeowners aged 55 and older, valued the area's natural beauty and small-town character,...
Colorado's Orphan Wells Mitigation Enterprise Board approved fee increases starting April 2027 to fund accelerated plugging and cleanup work, with the program plugging a record 161 orphaned wells in fiscal year 2026. Current inventory includes 2,156 orphaned sites with 996 remaining wells to plug...
Archuleta County tire collection event a success despite challenging weather
Archuleta County collected nearly 1,200 tires during a recent tire collection event despite heavy rain and muddy conditions, removing hazardous materials that fuel wildfires and serve as mosquito breeding sites. The grant-funded program, held every three years, helps protect public health and...
Chamber eyes collaboration to benefit more than tourism
The Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce highlights regional collaboration with the Durango Chamber of Commerce, including a joint staycation package designed to keep visitors in the region longer and support local businesses. Such partnerships strengthen the broader regional economy by...
Colorado Preservation Inc. received a $750,000 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant from the National Park Service to launch a new round of rural preservation grants statewide. The organization's first rural grant program in 2023 leveraged more than $3 million in owner investment and created...
$5,000 grants open for Colorado farms, ranches, ag businesses to hire interns in 2027
The Colorado Department of Agriculture is accepting grant applications through November 2 for farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses hiring interns in 2027, with reimbursement up to $5,000 covering 50 percent of costs. Since 2018, the Agricultural Workforce Development Program has distributed...
Colorado Judicial Districts to host free legal resource day events in October
The Colorado Judicial Department is hosting free legal resource day events on October 28 at La Plata County Combined Courts in Durango for residents in the 6th Judicial District, which includes Archuleta County. Volunteer lawyers will offer free educational sessions on topics including domestic...
Seeds of Learning partners with Head Start to expand opportunities for local families
Seeds of Learning announced a new partnership with Head Start to expand access to affordable early childhood education for families in the community. The nationally accredited program, holding a Colorado Shines Level 5 rating, now offers eligible families additional support options alongside...
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Pagosa Daily Post
EDITORIAL: Misinformation vs. Disinformation in Pagosa Springs, Part Four
An editorial in the Pagosa Daily Post examines claims about school facility repair costs in Archuleta County, asserting that a $88 million figure cited by the Citizens for ASD campaign represents inflated estimates from Colorado Springs-based architects RTA, who have financial incentive to propose...
EDITORIAL: Archuleta County ‘Planning’ Challenges, Part One
Archuleta County's Planning Department has lost its entire staff following the termination of the Director of Development and early departures by two associates, creating operational challenges as the county works to meet December 31 deadlines for rewriting its Comprehensive Plan. County Manager...
BIG PIVOTS: A Coal Mine Closes, and Solar Comes On
Colorado marked a major energy transition milestone as the Trapper Mine near Craig closed after 49 years while the Black Hollow Sun solar project east of Fort Collins came online, generating 257 megawatts for four Front Range municipalities. For the first time, Colorado achieved over 50 percent of...
OPINION: Colorado Municipal League Joins Coalition Opposing Amendment 82
The Colorado Municipal League, representing nearly 270 cities and towns, voted to formally oppose Amendment 82, joining a broad coalition that includes county officials and over 20 advocacy organizations concerned the measure would undermine local building code authority and expand the state...
Congress Members Move to Offset Coming Cuts to Rural Hospital Funding
Congress members from both parties are introducing legislation to help rural hospitals offset Medicaid and healthcare marketplace cuts scheduled after the midterm election, with proposals including interest-free equipment loans and Medicare reimbursement improvements. Representative Jill Tokuda...
Reminding Landlords of Housing Protections for Domestic Abuse Survivors
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued an advisory during Domestic Violence Awareness Month reminding landlords of expanded housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, domestic abuse, stalking, and unlawful sexual behavior under House Bill 25-1168 passed in 2025.
Prescribed Burn Planned for Eight Mile Mesa Tomorrow, October 8
The Pagosa Ranger District plans a prescribed fire operation on October 8 targeting approximately 250 acres atop Eight Mile Mesa south of Pagosa Springs to reduce wildfire fuel in a landscape prone to lightning-caused fires. Smoke will be visible from U.S. 160, U.S. 84, downtown Pagosa Springs, and...
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