Grab your wallet and eyeball the Lake Hatcher water level. Drought surcharges for residents (not businesses) are coming to your water bill.
The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District sent out a confusing news release Tuesday describing the PAWSD Board of Directors’ declaration of a Stage 2 Drought. Why grab your wallet? By declaring a Level 2 Drought, your water charges will double for use of more than 8,000 gallons a month.
The proposed sale of the Running Iron Ranch — a key property tied to the San Juan Headwaters Project and our region’s long-term water security — raises urgent questions that deserve thoughtful public dialogue and full transparency.
For nearly two decades, the Dry Gulch site — including the Running Iron Ranch — has been identified as a vital location for a potential future reservoir. The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) and San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) have invested millions into this vision, with PAWSD continuing to make significant loan payments tied to the property.
Personally, I don’t understand the emotion around “The Reservoir.” Ask an opponent and you will trigger a red-faced, angry response. The emotional outburst overwhelms any argument otherwise.
For me, the angry outbursts over the reservoir remind me of the controversy over our participation with La Plata County in a joint health department. Because of the anger of some Archuleta County residents, we now have our own health department.
2026-01-27
The Promise: A Specific Restriction (and a Missing Document) On March 14, 2024, Emily Lashbrook of the CDC appeared before the PAWSD Board to request a full waiver of Capital Investment Fees (CIF) for eight workforce housing projects.
At stake: a carefully crafted agreement to build more affordable housing in Pagosa Springs. Funders include the Department of Local Affairs, Archuleta County, and the Town of Pagosa Springs. The CDC request was for $260,000 from the PAWSD Board. (See A Divided Board Reverses Long-Standing Support)