PAGOSA SPRINGS — The Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners approved a road paint striping contract not to exceed $71,875 and five 25-year airport hangar ground leases at its regular meeting May 5, 2026. Commissioners John Ranson and Veronica Medina also approved two special event liquor permits, a liquor store license renewal, a Fair Board appointment, and three residential lot consolidations. No conflicts of interest were disclosed, the agenda was approved as presented, and no executive session was held. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
Road Striping Contract
Public Works Director Michael Torres presented a contract with Branson Traffic Control Company for the county’s annual road paint striping, capped at $71,875. Torres said Branson is one of the few companies in the region that can perform road striping and that the county contracts with them each year. Roads scheduled for striping include Aspen and Willow Boulevard, Hatcher Circle, Canyon Road, North Pagosa Boulevard, Bonanza, Cloud Cap, Monument Avenue, Nocturne, Bastille Drive, Hopi Drive, Vista Boulevard, Trails Boulevard, Meadows Drive, Cascade Avenue, Capriccio Circle, County Road 119, and Holiday Avenue, among others. Some sections are partial, covering corners or areas worn through plowing. The contract was budgeted for. Commissioner Medina moved to approve; the motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Ransom asked whether the contract would cover striping the parking lot at the county’s ACT building. Torres said he had requested a quote from Branson but was also awaiting a quote from a second company and had discussed borrowing a paint sprayer from the town. County Manager Longinos Gonzalez Jr. said the parking lot striping responsibility may fall to the HOA the county already pays, and said staff should confirm that before the county assumes the cost. Ransom noted the lot had needed striping for 14 months. Torres agreed to follow up.
A separate question arose about County Center Drive. Gonzalez said an estimate for striping the full stretch ran approximately $10,000 depending on materials. Torres said the county could handle that work in-house in roughly two hours at an estimated cost of $928, with additional variables based on scope. Commissioners directed staff to coordinate with the town and report back.
Airport Ground Leases
The board approved five Archuleta County Airport ground lease agreements, each for 25-year terms, as part of the consent agenda. The leases cover hangar sites with Francis J. Mathews (Site 500 W), Jeffrey L. Glynn (Site 500 V), Fitts Family Trust (Site 513 D), Mark Andrew Nielsen Living Trust (Site A-4), and San Juan Flyers (Site B-2). No discussion preceded the vote.
Liquor Permits and License Renewal
Convening as the Liquor Board at 1:36 p.m., the commissioners approved two special event permits. The San Juan Back Country Horsemen received a permit to sell malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors at the Pagosa Nights Rodeos, scheduled for June 4, 11, 18, and 25, and July 9, 16, and 23, at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds, 344 Highway 84. Wings Early Childhood Center received a permit for its Grand Gala on June 24 at the Keyah Grande Guest House, 13211 West Highway 160. In both cases, the Sheriff had been notified and proper fees collected. Both permits carried unanimously.
Under the Liquor Board consent agenda, the board approved a complete renewal, with no changes, of the retail liquor store license for Piedra Peak General Store LLC, doing business as Piedra Peak General Store, at 53 County Road 982 in Arboles. The Sheriff’s Office and County Building Department completed inspections with no issues. The Liquor Board adjourned at 1:39 p.m.
Consent Agenda
Commissioner Medina asked about a $31,000 Megaforum line item in accounts payable. Staff confirmed it was a single purchase and noted the overall MAG budget is $600,000. No other questions were raised. The consent agenda carried unanimously.
The consent agenda included accounts payable warrants and purchase cards for April 22 through May 5, 2026; County Board of Equalization hearing minutes from August 4 and 6, 2025; regular meeting minutes from August 5, 2025, and April 21, 2026; special meeting minutes from April 28, 2026; the five airport ground leases noted above; Resolution 2026-34 appointing Dana Immertreu to the Archuleta County Fair Board; Resolution 2026-35 consolidating two lots in Pagosa Alpha owned by Keith A. Edey and Kelly A. Edey; Resolution 2026-36 consolidating two lots in Aspen Springs Subdivision 6 owned by Amanda Stang; Resolution 2026-37 consolidating two lots in Pagosa Vista owned by Christina and David Velarde; and a modification to the county’s USDA Forest Service Agreement updating standard terms and conditions with no other changes.
Planning Trailer Update
During commissioner comments, Ransom asked for an update on the planning trailer. Gonzalez said staff was exploring options including possible personnel movement and a plan to lower the trailer flush to the ground rather than install an accessibility ramp costing thousands of dollars. He said the flush approach could be done using county labor in a few days with minimal materials cost. Ransom thanked staff for the update.
Public Comment
One member of the public addressed the board, making an economic case for county support of Wings Early Childhood Center. The speaker — who identified herself as director of the school — said Wings serves 35 students, roughly half of whom qualify for low-income housing by income, but only seven actually live in subsidized units, in part because affordable childcare allows parents to stay employed. She put implied housing construction savings at approximately $4 million, based on a $200,000-per-unit cost. Wings is the only licensed infant and toddler center in Pagosa Springs, serving 44 families with children from six weeks to three years old. The school runs at an annual deficit of approximately $200,000.
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