Pagosa Springs Daily Digest Saturday, October 24, 2026
Ty's Take
When the San Juan National Forest decides to dump half the sky on you in a matter of hours, everything else gets postponed. The barn dance, the health fair, the pig roast, the Rotary gathering, all of it shelved while Highway 160 becomes a river and the sheriff tells people to stay put. This is what flooding does to a mountain town, especially one built where water wants to go. It strips away the calendar we make and reminds us that living here means respecting what the weather can do when it turns. The real work starts after the water recedes, when we figure out what came loose and what needs rebuilding.
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Weather Alerts
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued October 23 at 11:59AM MDT until October 25 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of southwest Colorado, including the following areas, Animas River Basin, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, San Juan River Basin and Southwest San Juan Mountains and Utah, including the following areas, Arch...
Pagosa Springs SUN
Town of Pagosa Springs declares local disaster emergency due to severe flooding
Pagosa Springs officials declared a local disaster emergency on October 22 following severe flooding that damaged roads, bridges, and infrastructure across the town and surrounding areas. Heavy rainfall caused mandatory evacuations along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo, and Piedra rivers, with...
Sheriff outlines some ongoing situations with floods
Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux reported catastrophic flooding conditions throughout the area, with multiple active rescue operations underway on October 23. A motor home with two people and three dogs was swept into the river along County Road 339, prompting a Black Hawk helicopter...
U.S. 160 closed in areas due to flooding
Travel along U.S. 160 between mile marker 134 and mile marker 144 is strongly discouraged due to severe flooding and road hazards, according to warnings from the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office and Town of Pagosa Springs. Multiple sections of the highway remain closed to protect public safety,...
The Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs postponed its scheduled barn dance from Saturday, October 24, due to the local flooding emergency. A new date will be announced once plans can be finalized.
Flooding and road closures impact southwest and south-central Colorado
The Colorado Department of Transportation is urging motorists to avoid travel during active flood warnings and watches across southwest and south-central Colorado. Multiple full road closures remain in effect, and drivers should check COtrip.org for current conditions and never attempt to drive...
Oktoberfest Pig Roast postponed
The Oktoberfest pig roast fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, October 24, has been postponed due to recent severe weather affecting Pagosa Springs. Organizers are tentatively planning to reschedule the event for Friday, October 30, pending caterer availability, with confirmation to be announced by...
Sheriff's office asks everyone to shelter in place
The Archuleta County Sheriff's Office requested that all residents shelter in place as water levels begin to recede but many roads remain impassable and unsafe. The PLPOA Clubhouse at 230 Port Avenue is open and available for those needing an evacuation location, and residents experiencing medical...
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Pagosa Daily Post
URGENT TRAVEL ADVISORY: Major Road Closures on Highway 160 Due to Flooding
Highway 160 remains closed in multiple sections between mile marker 134 and mile marker 144, including Wolf Creek Pass with no estimated reopening date, according to an urgent advisory from the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office and Town of Pagosa Springs. Specific closures include sections at Mile...
A Dark Morning in Pagosa Springs
A Pagosa Springs resident described the historic nature of the flooding event that struck the area early on October 23, noting that McCabe Creek overflowed its banks and multiple town parks and riverside areas became submerged with muddy water. The power outage affected downtown while uptown...
CANCELLATION: Saturday Health Fair & Expo
The Archuleta Health Fair and Expo scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at Pagosa Springs High School has been canceled due to severe flooding, evacuation orders, and road closures affecting the community. Organizers prioritized the safety and well-being of participants, volunteers, and event...
CANCELLATION: Saturday Barn Dance
The Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs postponed the 11th Annual Jewels and Jeans Barn Dance from Saturday, October 24, due to highway closures caused by the local flooding emergency. A new date will be announced as soon as plans can be finalized.
EDITORIAL: The Problematic Tourist-Friendly Pig Farm on Highway 84, Part One
A Pagosa Daily Post editorial examines an ongoing dispute south of downtown Pagosa Springs adjacent to Highway 160 involving an agriculturally-based lodging establishment called 84 Ranch seeking approval for five tiny home cabins. The conflict reflects competing visions of freedom between the...
READY, FIRE, AIM: John Lennon and the Peasants
A Pagosa Daily Post opinion piece reflects on John Lennon's song from the Plastic Ono Band album and its connection to themes of class struggle and personal hardship. The author traces his own name choice to family heritage and discusses how Lennon's lyrics resonated with him during a difficult...
LETTER: A Particularly Important Election
A letter to the editor urges Pagosa Springs residents to take seriously their responsibility to vote in an upcoming election with significant local and state implications. The writer emphasizes that voting is not just a right but a responsibility to the democratic process and highlights specific...
Two Free Workshops to Help Contractors Improve Their Bid Submissions
Connect2DOT and the Small Business Development Center are offering two free workshops in October to help contractors improve their bidding skills and construction estimating practices. The sessions, led by experienced professional Bob Smith, will cover estimating fundamentals on October 22 and...
OPINION: Israel’s Legitimacy at Risk
A Pagosa Daily Post opinion article argues that Israel's legitimacy is at risk following three years of devastating wars and discusses democratic erosion, international isolation, and growing public opposition to its government's conduct. The piece notes that American public opinion has shifted...
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