Charles ‘Chuck’ Albert Betts, 83, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., passed away Monday, April 29, 2024, at his home. Chuck was born at the family ranch house in Fort Lupton, Colo., to Marvin and Violet Betts. He attended the School of Mines and Colorado State University, receiving a BA in agronomy and civil engineering. Chuck started working with SCS as an apprentice technician his senior year of high school, which led to full-time employment that led him to Monte Vista, Colo. During his time with SCS, he was transferred multiple times to Alamosa, Kiowa, Springfield, and Durango. Chuck decided to move his family to Pagosa Springs so they could be raised in one town. Chuck was in partnership with Paul Decker and family at San Juan Supply for three years. Chuck bought the building next to Jackisch Drugs, seizing an opportunity to start his own business — Pagosa Sports. His love for the outdoors allowed Chuck to give advice to the hunters that came into the store, which through the years repeated hunters from Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, Maine, Missouri, etc., ended up being thousands of returned customers. Chuck was third in Colorado state for the number of hunting licenses sold. Chuck was eager to bring business in to Pagosa. Chuck and his wife, Judy, and kids, Robert and Susan; along with Tom James, Tommy James and Allen McCaw, helped giving guided snowmobile tours at Fairfield Pagosa for 10 years. When Chuck retired/sold Pagosa Sports, he was given the opportunity to work for the SCS in Pagosa Springs, where he retired. Chuck was involved in with the Masonic Lodge in Brighton, Colo., and was a lifetime member of the Bright Elks Lodge 1586, a lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elks Foundation, a lifetime member of the NRA and Ducks Unlimited. Chuck was a board member of the Red Ryder Rodeo Committee for six years. Chuck enjoyed supporting his daughter in her barrel racing and made sure to be there when she received her three saddles. Chuck is survived by his wife of 60 years, Judy Betts, of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; child, Susan Hawks, and her husband, Ron Hawks, of Flora Vista, N.M.; four grandchildren: Ryan Arndt (Lyndsey), of Lovelock, Nev., Allison Moore (Robert), of Aztec, N.M., Garrett Arndt (Haley) of Winnemucca, Nev., and Nick Betts, of Flora Vista, N.M.; and four great-grandchildren: Tripp Arndt, Anderson Moore, Cole Arndt and Rosella Moore.
There will be a graveside service at Greemount Cemetery on Saturday, May 4, at 2 p.m.
