Local News
The Town of Pagosa Springs continues emergency response operations following significant flooding along the San Juan River. While river levels are beginning to recede slightly, dangerous conditions …
Local News
The San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) Board of Directors heard an update on maintenance and activities at the Running Iron Ranch at its Oct. 19 meeting. SJWCD board member Charles …
Local News
The worst part of the rainstorm has moved through our area, but flooding concerns are not over. Fast moving rain and snow are expected to continue throughout the morning, becoming spotty this …
Local News
LaPlata Electric Association reported Monday, Nov. 2, that it has 1,893 meters out across southwestern Colorado.
Government
Archuleta County staff has been preparing the county’s 2027 budget. The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held multiple budget work sessions, on Oct. 13 and 14, meeting with department heads to …
Government
During its regular meeting held on Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC), acting as the Board of Adjustments, unanimously approved Resolution 2026-04, approving …
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Local News

Cell phone service disrupted in Pagosa Springs; 911 calls being routed to Durango

From the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office: We are aware that cellular service is currently disrupted in the area. If your phone supports Wi-Fi calling and you have access to a working Wi-Fi connection, you may still be able to make and receive calls and send messages. Please enable Wi-Fi calling in your phone's settings if available.
Local News

San Juan River crests at 16.81 feet

The San Juan River in Pagosa Springs crested at 16.81 feet at about 11 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, coming in about three feet under worst-case-scenario predictions.
Local News

Archuleta County Elections Office issues update on Election Day

    Due to flooding, the ballot drop box located at Town Hall has been closed. Archuleta County has arranged an …

Road closures in southwest and south-central Colorado

  Flooding has prompted several highway closures across southwest and south-central Colorado today, Sunday, Nov. 1.   Motorists should be prepared for additional safety …

Public safety notice: Shelter in place

Due to continuing rainfall and compromised road conditions throughout Archuleta County, we are asking everyone to SHELTER IN PLACE. No non-essential travel. Stay home for the duration …
Local News

Governor urges southwestern Coloradans to heed evacuation orders as historic flooding threatens region

Gov. Jared Polis is urging Coloradans in southwestern Colorado, particularly those in Archuleta County and Pagosa Springs, to immediately heed local evacuation orders as forecasted historic flooding …
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Local News

Emergency evacuation shelter open at PLPOA Clubhouse

The emergency evacuation shelter at the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association (PLPOA) Clubhouse, located at 230 Port Avenue, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, is now open and available to assist residents …

Incident management team issues urgent flood update

Sunday, November 1, 11:45 AM The river is rising faster than originally anticipated and is now expected to crest higher than previously forecast, potentially as early as 6:00 PM TONIGHT. …
Local News

Public health notice: Sewage has discharged into San Juan River

The Town of Pagosa Springs is notifying residents that sewage is being discharged into the San Juan River near the 1st Street bridge amid the ongoing flood emergency. Please avoid all contact …
Local News

Urgent flood warning: Evacuate now

The updated forecast calls for flooding above historic levels. The San Juan River could crest as high as 19.71 feet around 11 p.m. tonight. If you are in an evacuation zone, you must leave now. …
Local News

CDOT closing north-end access to Colo. 151, residents encouraged to evacuate immediately

CDOT is closing the north end access to CO 151 at MP 30 due to rising waters. Residents within this area are urged to evacuate immediately before road conditions deteriorate more. Colo. 151 and …

Flood update released, mandatory evacuations in effect

Weather Forecast: A Flood Warning is in effect from Sunday morning to Monday morning for the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs. A Winter Weather Warning is in effect for the same time period for the …
Local News

Ski area to close until county evacuation orders lifted

Wolf Creek Ski Area will be closed from Sunday, Nov. 1, until the mandatory evacuation order in Archuleta County is lifted. This is a precautionary measure based on recommendations from local …
Columns

Legacies: October 29, 2026

100 years ago Taken from SUN files of October 29, 1926 We desire to compliment the editors of “Mashonkasha,” the paper published by the students of the Pagosa Springs High School. The …
Community

Community support needed for Pagosa Community Initiative’s toiletry shelf

The Pagosa Community Initiative (PCI), Archuleta County’s family resource center, is asking the community to help stock its toiletry shelf for local youth and families. SNAP benefits provide …
This week’s Bird of the Week, compliments of the Weminuche Audubon Society and Audubon Rockies, is the pine siskin. These small, social birds travel in gregarious flocks where they keep in contact while foraging or in flight with a rising, buzzy, zhreeeeet call. Even on their breeding grounds they are unusually unterritorial, nesting in loose colonies and tolerating other pairs nearby. But the story changes in winter, when flocks and individuals can become aggressive around food sources. Then a siskin is quick to chase other flock members from a feeder by lowering its head and lunging with wings and tail spread. Competing birds may spiral together several feet up in the air while fighting to establish dominance. Seeds dominate the pine siskin’s diet. They forage in the topmost canopy of seed-bearing trees, often hanging upside down to harvest seeds from cones. Their primary natural foods are the seeds of pines, spruce, hemlock and cedar. But, they also eat seeds of deciduous trees like alder, birch and maple, young buds, stems and leaves, the seeds of weeds, and insects, spiders and grubs in summer. After nesting in conifer forests, they move into semi-open country to feed in fields of thistles and wild sunflowers. Feeders with nyjer seeds will attract pine siskins to your yard. You could hold a pine siskin in the palm of your hand. They are small, brown streaky birds with a sharp, pointed bill and short notched tail. Yellow feather patches are visible when they spread their wings and tail. Although we are in their year-round range, in other areas pine siskins are an irruptive species that move in irregular patterns in winter in search of food. Depending on the abundance of cones in northern boreal areas, they may stay put or move far south some years. They are still believed to be fairly common, but their erratic movements make numbers hard to assess. Partners In Flight categorizes them as a “Common Bird In Steep Decline.” You can help document bird numbers in winter by participating in Cornell Lab’s Project FeederWatch, which starts on Nov. 1. It’s a fun way to focus your attention and contribute observations of the natural world. Despite the name, you don’t even need to have a feeder to participate in this valuable citizen science project. Visit feederwatch.org for information. For information on events, visit www.weminucheaudubon.org and www.facebook.com/weminucheaudubon/.
Bird of the Week

Bird of the Week

Local News

Election office to be open Sunday, Nov. 1, to collect ballots

According to Archuleta County Clerk and Recorder Kristy Archuleta,  the election office at 305 Village Drive will be open tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect ballots …
Outdoors

CAIC issues special avalanche advisory

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center's (CAIC's) daily avalanche forecasts return today, Oct. 31, for Sunday, Nov. 1, and the season is starting with a special avalanche advisory for parts of the …

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Oct 29, 2026

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Obituaries
 Robert E. J. ‘Buck’ Goodyear
June 3, 1938 - Aug. 24, 2026 “A True Highway Man”   Robert “Buck” Goodyear passed away Aug. 24, 2026. Buck graduated from Durango High School in 1956 and spent two years at …
Demetrio Martinez
Demetrio Martinez passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, at his home in Carracas Mesa, N.M. Born and raised in Carracas, Demetrio spent the majority of his life in Durango, …
Jean Macht Taylor
The family of Jean Macht Taylor would like to let the community know of her passing on Oct. 19, 2026. Obituary and celebration of life details to follow.
William ‘Bill’ R. McElhinney
William (Bill) R. McElhinney passed away on Oct. 14, 2026, in Dewey, Ariz., after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Tara McElhinney; sons Tim …
Ronald Baker ‘Bud’ Forman
Ronald Baker “Bud” Forman, lovingly known as “Buddaddy,” age 86, of Aledo, Texas, passed away on Oct. 9, 2026. He was born on Sept. 10, 1940, in Denison, Texas, to Walter Inskip “Skip” …
Dave Richardson
On Sept. 11, Dave Richardson, devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, went to be with his Heavenly Father. After struggling with dementia for three years, his mind and body are at peace. …

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