The Pagosa Springs sewer collection system risks multiple failures within a decade. Interim Public Works Director Phil Bennett told council members temporary electrical pumps have been refurbished. A noise barrier at Pump Station 2 reduced sound levels to 70 decibels at the nearest property line. That reading exceeds the Archuleta County limit by 15 decibels. Council transferred $2.96 million from the general fund on April 9 to purchase eight new pumps. Delivery is expected in six months.
Staff expressed low confidence the existing piping can survive another decade. Repeated pressure hammering and a low safety factor led to the call for immediate preventive maintenance and full pipe inspection. Officials held a technical meeting the next day with engineers and an EPA consultant to set specifications for permanent repairs. A new treatment plant remains in future plans.
Council opened the April 21 meeting by approving a consent agenda. The consent agenda authorized $1.17 million in March expenditures. Southwest River Engineering received $266,725 for museum embankment stabilization design and construction management. The town paid $100,998 for two police vehicles and $92,349 for health insurance premiums. Wagner Equipment Co. collected $49,046 for dozer rental at the wastewater lagoon. The consent agenda also included approval of the April 9 meeting minutes, the March financial statement and payments, and resolution 202607 appointing Matt Nobles as a regular member of the Town Planning Commission.
The general fund closed March with an unappropriated balance of $5.86 million. Revenues exceeded expenditures by $277,821 during the first quarter. Total cash and investments across all funds reached $16.96 million on March 31. The sanitation fund recorded a year-to-date net deficit of $282,048.
February sales tax revenue delivered $694,561 to the town. That figure rose 1.83 percent from February 2025. The new 1 percent sewer sales tax generated $185,769 in its second month. Marijuana tax receipts fell to $59,886 for all of 2025.
Development Department Director James Dickhoff outlined plans to seek a $1.5 million federal grant for the East End Multimodal Plan. The application covers engineered designs for a riverwalk trail extension, sidewalks, frontage roads, two traffic circles and the Highways 84 and 160 intersection. The town must supply a $300,000 local match with CDOT expected to cover at least half. Council requested additional safety data after learning traffic circles deliver a 95 percent reduction in serious accidents.
Flood recovery projects gained momentum in recent weeks. Construction began April 15 on the Overlook Embankment stabilization. The Natural Resources Conservation Service approved $3.7 million for nine projects that include museum stabilization, bridge repairs and pond dredging. The town match on that award will not exceed $293,777.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife awarded a $103,791 Fishing is Fun grant for River Center Ponds. Additional funding arrived from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, History Colorado and the Southwest Community Foundation. These awards reduce pressure on local reserves.
The town needs 362 additional housing units to meet current demand and 1,316 units by 2035. The Housing Action Plan satisfies SB 24-174 requirements with biweekly consultant meetings continuing. Two homes closed in the Chris Mountain workforce ownership project in February with three more sold since. Timberline Apartments reached pre-leasing on its 50 units serving households between 30 and 80 percent of area median income.
Colorado Outdoors secured a $2 million DOLA grant for a middle-income apartment complex. A separate developer proposed 70 units east of the medical center in 10 buildings with initial designs underway. Staff compared alternative construction costs with Vederra Modular, Clayton Homes and Fading West. The town and county earned a $50,000 bonus for fast-track permitting performance.
Planning Division Manager Owen O’Dell reported four outdoor commercial permits and five sign permits issued so far in 2026. The Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code takes effect July 1 with staff training sessions scheduled. The International Dark Sky Steering Committee held its first meeting March 16.
PSCDC Director Emily Lashbrooke noted 867 community members participated in free Community Center programs during March. Outdoor fitness equipment will install by June 1 along with pickleball court fencing and windscreens. Trail sealing at River Center, Town Park and Walmart trails targets completion by July 4 when the Yamaguchi South bike park also opens.
The Lodgers Tax Fund held an unappropriated balance of $1.84 million at the end of March. The Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board reported March app users tripled to 3,371. Event funding requests through April consumed all but $12,795 of the annual allocation. The board received strong scores on two Colorado Tourism Office grants that begin work in May.
Municipal Court referred 192 cases to Integral Recoveries between February 2025 and January 2026. Those efforts recovered $2,155 in fines and fees. Criminal restitution owed stands at $5,344 while traffic restitution totals $23,949. Year-to-date filings include 99 traffic cases and 54 parking violations.
Council members received no public comments.
Council scheduled a joint work session with Archuleta County to discuss accepting a donated home as emergency shelter space in partnership with RISE. Members also planned an April 28 meeting with Southern Ute Tribe representatives to explore park naming and heritage recognition. Council recognized Council Member deGraaf for eight years of service.
Council entered executive session for one hour and 46 minutes to discuss negotiating strategy on an intergovernmental agreement with Archuleta County. The closed-door conversation covered Tourism Department staffing, Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board operations and lodging tax administration. All six council members plus Town Manager Harris and the town attorney participated. A second executive session on real property matters was canceled. No action followed the return to open session.
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