Community
Generation Wild, a movement from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) that connects kids and families with the outdoors, is bringing back its popular Give the Outdoors initiative, offering free …
Artist's Lane
The raging river clawed ruthlessly at our little community, shaking and whirling us around like a limp rag doll, dropping the whole county — houses, businesses, roads and bridges — into a pile of …
This week’s Bird of the Week, compliments of the Weminuche Audubon Society and Audubon Rockies, is the downy woodpecker. North America’s smallest woodpecker is a permanent resident across Canada and all of the United States except Hawaii and the most arid southwestern regions. They occupy open woodlands, particularly those with deciduous trees, and riparian areas along streams. In summer, downy woodpeckers consume enormous numbers of insects, including some that are forest and agricultural pests. Their small size allows them to feed on places like weed stems and galls that larger woodpeckers can’t reach. In winter, they are frequently found foraging in mixed flocks with birds of similar size, including nuthatches and chickadees. They readily come to feeders, especially those with suet, and add acorns, berries and grains to their diet. Male and female downies maintain separate feeding areas in fall and early winter, with pairs forming in late winter. Even when the sexes are together, they separate feeding areas, with males chasing females away from the best feeding spots. Downies share adaptations with other woodpecker species that allow them to drill on trees and uncover insects and larvae under the bark. They are able to position their toes with two forward and two backward to better cling onto the trunk, and a stiff tail provides stability when they lean back. Feathers over the nostrils and nictitating membranes that shield the eyes keep wood particles out. The downy woodpecker’s name is a reference to the soft, white feathers that make up the white stripe on its black lower back. Its head is striped in black and white, with males wearing a small patch of red on the nape. Black wings are checkered with white patches and the white outer tail feathers have black spots. Its bill is short and chisel-like. Distinguishing between the nearly identical downy and hairy woodpecker species can present a challenge. When the two are together, the larger size of the hairy is apparent. The hairy’s bill relative to head size is much longer, and its outer tail feathers are not spotted. Research has presented evidence that the plumage mimicry between downy and hairy woodpeckers is an example of one species evolving to look like another. When mimicry like this occurs in nature, it is believed to confer an advantage to one of the species. For information on events, visit www.weminucheaudubon.org and www.facebook.com/weminucheaudubon/.
Bird of the Week
Scene ... cleaning up flood debris and damage in portions of Centennial Park. After word spread through word of mouth, more than 50 people showed up Saturday morning, Nov. 7, to begin clean up and repairs at the Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership (GGP) site in Centennial Park. Volunteers worked at the GGP, the Rotary Garden, Audubon’s Native Plants Garden and the Pagosa Springs Community Garden.
Community
Faith
Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a covenantal faith. Stated more simply, our free faith is not based on a set doctrine or creed that tells us what to believe. Covenant calls us beyond ourselves …
Scene ... Rotarians lend helping hands to aid in flood cleanup along Hermosa Street on Saturday, Nov. 7. The recent flooding left behind debris and mud, as well as damaged homes.
Community
Most popular stories
Local News

Sheriff's Office answers frequently asked questions about flood recovery

The recent flooding in Archuleta County has left many residents facing difficult decisions about their homes, finances, livestock and what the coming winter months may bring.  We understand …
Community

Disaster relief items to be distributed Saturday

Were you evacuated or directly impacted by the recent flooding? The Pagosa Springs Church of Christ will be offering free disaster relief items to those impacted by the recent flooding and …
Scott Morehead (left) as Roy Scheider, Cameron Vargas (foreground) as Richard Dreyfuss and Tim Moore (background) as Robert Shaw pass the time aboard the Orca in Thingamajig Theatre Company’s production of “The Shark Is Broken.” The comedy, set during the troubled filming of “Jaws,” concludes its run at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts with three final performances Nov. 13-15. Tickets are available at pagosacenter.org or by calling (970) 731-SHOW (7469).
Community

‘The Shark Is Broken’ to take its final bow this weekend

A good deal of what made “Jaws” a great movie can be traced to a mechanical shark that refused to do its job. The notoriously unreliable contraption broke down so often during filming that …
Local News

Disaster relief rolls into Pagosa Springs through Centerpoint Church

Disaster Relief Teams from both Colorado and Oklahoma have arrived in Pagosa Springs to help with the flood cleanup. Both teams are members of the Southern Baptist Convention and exist to offer …
Local News

Emergency grants available to horse owners affected by flooding

In response to flooding in southern Colorado, emergency grants for horse owners and small rescues are offered by Fleet of Angels. Funds are available for emergency horse hay, critical supplies, …
Library News

November is National Gratitude Month

It may seem like a cruel thing to bring up gratitude when our community is reeling from the devastation of two back to back flood events. Clearly, I am one of the lucky ones, with only a foot of …
What Readers Are Saying
Things to Do

Vets 4 Vets to hold annual fundraiser Nov. 14

On Nov. 14, Veterans for Veterans of Archuleta County (Vets 4 Vets) will host its third annual dinner and dance. It will be held at the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association Clubhouse at 230 …
Senior News

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

November is recognized as National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to a disease that affects millions of Americans, including many older adults. Diabetes is a condition that …
Motorists will be guided by barriers, signage and traffic signals through multiple construction sites and damaged areas on both west and east sides of U.S. 160 Wolf Creek Pass.
Local News

U.S. 160 Wolf Creek Pass to open to weekend travel Nov. 14 and 15

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will open U.S. 160 Wolf Creek Pass between Pagosa Springs and South Fork to weekend travel, beginning Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7 a.m. CDOT warns …
Education

Pagosa Weather to host second annual Winter Weather Wonder event

This is a reminder that Pagosa Weather forecasters Shawn and Arleen Prochazka will help the community prepare for winter by hosting their second annual Winter Weather Wonder event on Friday, Nov. 13, …
Things to Do

What's happening in and around Pagosa Springs

Here's a look at upcoming events in and around Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County. Find more events on our calendar . Thursday, Nov. 12 Ruby’s Writers Guild. 9-11 a.m., Sisson Library. …
Local News

Power restored after affecting more than 7,700 meters

Update: Power has been restored.  Original: LPEA members are experiencing a power outage in the Pagosa Springs area affecting about 7760 meters. Crews are responding and working to restore …
Community

Annual holiday lighting contest announced

Especially this year, Pagosa Springs needs to be bright with holiday cheer this season. The Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board and The Pagosa Springs SUN are once again sponsoring a lighting …
Education

Nov. 12 End of Life Education meeting to focus on emergency response

We have only two sessions left for this season of End of Life Education. I am planning on having sessions again in the spring depending on the timing of flu, etc. season. Let me know if there is …
Government

Response to historic flooding continues

Pagosa Country continues to contend with challenges and damage caused by a pair of major floods that moved through the area in recent weeks, with local, regional, state and federal resources …
Government

Agencies offer updates on flood-damaged roadways

Roads continue to be an area of concern throughout the region following the recent flooding, with several area roads still closed and under repair. The Colorado Department of Transportation …
A Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control helicopter carrying La Plata County Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Lee and election judges delivers Archuleta County ballots to Archuleta County Clerk and Recorder Kristy Archuleta and local election judges on Monday, Nov. 10. Some ballots were turned in in La Plata County due to flooding.
Government

Local ballot issues approved by voters

With final tabulation for the Nov. 3 general election slated to be completed by Friday, Nov. 13, a trio of local ballot issues are poised to pass. On Wednesday, Nov. 11, Archuleta County Clerk …

Sheriff’s Office issues Nov. 11 flooding update

Continuing Our Response: Assessing Damage and Supporting Residents Recovery efforts continued throughout Archuleta County today as teams worked to reach residents, assess damaged infrastructure, …

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Nov 12, 2026

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Obituaries
 Wayne Justus
1952–2026 Celebrated Western artist Wayne Justus, 73, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 4, 2026. For more than five decades, Wayne captured the spirit of the American West through …
Ben L. Lynch
Longtime Pagosa resident Ben Lynch passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 6, at Mercy Hospice in Durango, Colo. Ben was born and raised in Pagosa Springs and was very proud of his hometown and his …
John Judson Taylor
The family of John Judson Taylor would like to let the community know of his passing on Nov. 5, 2026. Obituary and celebration of life details to follow.
Alva Lee Cox
8/5/37-10/27/26 Born at home in Pagosa Springs, Colo., Lee’s heart never strayed far from that place of his origin. Named for his granddad, Alvie Patterson, and his dad, Lee Cox, he was a …
Andy Ray David Rivas
Andy Ray David Rivas was called home on Oct. 21, 2026. Andy was born on Sept. 23, 1975, to Marie Ann Valdez and Henry Carl Rivas. Andy was truly a kindred spirit and was loved by all who met …
Denise (Lihme) McCroddan
Denise (Lihme) McCroddan, age 85, of Springdale, Ark., was called home to be with the Lord on Oct. 31, 2026. Born in Elgin, Ill., on June 7, 1941, Denise dedicated her life to Christ as a teenager …

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