This week’s Bird of the Week, compliments of the Weminuche Audubon Society and Audubon Rockies, is the band-tailed pigeon. The family of birds that is comprised of pigeons and doves includes more than 300 species worldwide, but only 12 are regularly found in the United States. Common characteristics of this group include compact, chunky bodies, small heads, short legs, strong wings for sustained flight, and a vegetarian diet of seeds and fruits. Familiar to residents of cities, where tall buildings mimic its natural cliff habitats, is the introduced rock pigeon. Its forest-dwelling counterpart is the elegant band-tailed pigeon, North America’s largest native pigeon. In Colorado, band-tails belong to the Four Corners population, found in the dry forests of parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Mexico. This migratory population winters in Mexico and arrives in Colorado between mid-April and mid-May. Depending on weather and food supply, they may stay through September before returning south. These social birds travel in flocks and nest in small colonies in mountain forests, here primarily in those dominated by ponderosa pine and gambel oak. Typically the female lays only one egg, and both parents share in incubation and care of the chick. For the first few days, the chick is fed a milky protein and fat rich substance called pigeon milk, which is secreted in the crops of the parents. When available, acorns are a major part of their diet, which also includes berries, pine nuts, flowers of trees and shrubs, agricultural grains and orchard fruits. They will feed on sunflower seed in feeders, with several individuals vying for a space to perch. A flock taking off in flight with wings clapping is loud and noticeable. An adult band-tailed pigeon has a blue-gray back, gray underparts with a purple sheen, yellow bill and feet, and a white crescent and green iridescent feathers on the back of the neck. The pale band on its long tail is visible when these feathers are fanned in flight. Juvenile birds lack the white neck crescent. Band-tailed numbers were once seriously depleted by over-hunting and there was concern that they might share the fate of the related passenger pigeon, now extinct. Current declines may again be related to hunting pressure. For information on events, visit www.weminucheaudubon.org and www.facebook.com/weminucheaudubon/.
Bird of the Week
Artist's Lane
Manassa, Colo., to Pagosa Springs, Colo., — 100 miles from where I began is where I find myself today. So many off-roads I chose — some decisions made out of defiance, and some from the core of …
Scene ... judging and celebrating the winners of the 20th annual Mountain Chile Cha Cha. The event again featured contests for best chile, best margarita and best salsa.
Community
Every year, we learn something new and find ways to make the next Mountain Chile Cha Cha even better. That’s why I mean it every time I say, “This was our best year yet” every year. This year …
This Sunday, Oct. 4, after the 10 a.m. liturgy, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. All community members are invited to bring their animals and come to the steps outside the front door of the church at 225 S. Pagosa Blvd. between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for a prayer of thanksgiving and a blessing.
Community
This Sunday, Oct. 4, after our 10 a.m. liturgy, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who delighted in the kinship of all of God’s creatures. We …
Community
Living the questions, the theme for this month at the Pagosa Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship, is about staying curious, embracing uncertainty and being open to mystery. We will build on …
Community
On Sunday, Oct. 4, the Community United Methodist Church will join Christians worldwide in celebrating World Communion Sunday, a day when believers across every tradition, language and nation gather …
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Library News

Libraries are much more than books

In this age of ubiquitous online information, have you wondered why we still have libraries? Why do we need a physical building staffed with real, live librarians? Why did Pagosa Springs spend …
Senior News

Second annual Masquerade Ball a success

As the executive director of Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI), I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make the second annual Masquerade Ball such a wonderful success. …
Education

Pagosa Peak Genealogical Society will meet Oct. 3

Pagosa Peak Genealogical Society The Pagosa Peak Genealogical Society (PPGS) will hold its regular monthly meeting this Saturday, Oct. 3. We will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the Community …
Education

Good News Club for kids to begin Oct. 2

Good news for kids in kindergarten through fourth grade: A Good News Club is scheduled to begin on Oct. 2nd at Pagosa Springs Elementary School for kids in kindergarten through fourth grade. …
Last year’s Runway for Rise teams brought the heat. This year’s teams will take to the runway on Saturday, Oct. 3, to show off what they’ve done with recycled plastic, cardboard, nature elements and thrift store finds.
Community

Runway for Rise sold out, but giving remains wide open

Tickets to Runway for Rise may be gone, but the chance to make a difference is not. The event is officially sold out, yet supporters of Rise Above Violence and the 10 remarkable teams taking the …
Community

Share your surplus warm clothing with others through St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church Annual Clothing Giveaway

St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 225 S. Pagosa Blvd., will hold its Annual Clothing Giveaway on Friday, Oct. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon, continuing a long-running …
What Readers Are Saying
Education

End of Life Education to meet three times in October

End of Life Education will have three interesting and important meetings in October about the newest options for burial and cremation and, on Oct. 20, Colorado laws allowing people options of ending …
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, Oct. 1 Ruby’s Writers Guild. 9-11 a.m., Sisson Library. …
Community

SpiritFire Inspirational Living Center announces upcoming event

Save the date for the following activity at the SpiritFire Inspirational Living Center: • Thursday, Oct. 1, 6 p.m.: “The Importance of Higher Self Connection and How It Can Change Your …
Community

San Juan Stargazers to discuss black holes Oct. 1

The next meeting of the San Juan Stargazers will be on Thursday, Oct. 1, starting at 6 p.m. with our social hour. The program will begin at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend because we will …
Snow-dusted mountains peek through the clouds after the areas mountains received their first snowfall of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Outdoors

Storm causes record high river flows, road closures

Pagosa County has seen consistent steady rainfall over the last week, causing record flows on the Piedra and San Juan rivers. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 29, the San Juan River …
Local News

General election ballots to be mailed Oct. 5

Ballots for the Nov. 3 general election will be mailed to active registered voters beginning Monday, Oct. 5. The election will be a mail-ballot election in accordance with Colorado law. …
Crews set forms at the intersection of Piedra Road and Harman Park Drive as they prepare to pour new concrete curb and gutter and sidewalks.
Business

U.S. 160 reconstruction information

Week of Oct. 5-9 Work activity Note: All work is subject to weather conditions. Crews may work consistent weekends, especially when work cannot be completed during the weekdays due to …
Business

Town, county discuss status of Country Center Drive access closure

The Pagosa Springs Town Council and Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) discussed the status of a potential road access closure to Country Center Drive off of North Pagosa Boulevard …
Local News

PAWSD considering rate increases, budget cuts to help 2027 budget problems

The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) Board of Directors pondered the district’s 2027 budgetary problems with increasing costs, potential cuts and rate increases at its Sept. 24 …
Editorial

Part of something bigger

As we mentioned last week, Monday, Sept. 28, was World News Day, and, among other things, it was a day to celebrate and focus on the fact that journalism, especially local journalism, is a vital part …
From the Oct. 1, 1970, Pagosa SUN — SCHOOL BAND — The local school band appeared in the homecoming parade last Friday and at the football game Saturday. Although small, the band performed well and added to the success of the parade and the football game.
History

Looking Back: October 1, 2026

Legacies

Legacies: October 1, 2026

100 years ago Taken from SUN files of October 1, 1926 Work on the gravel walk on Hermosa street and the concrete walk on east Pagosa street is progressing in splendid shape. The New …

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Obituaries
 Joel T. ‘Tom’ Hall
Brig. Gen. (USAF Ret.) Joel T. “Tom” Hall lived a life of service devoted to his country and his family. He passed away quietly in Chandler, Ariz., on June 23, 2026, at the age of 90. Born …
Mary Jo Gwaltney
Mary Jo Gwaltney, born Mary Jo Bottoms, passed away on Sept. 3, 2026, in Pagosa Springs, Colo. She was born on Oct. 18, 1944, in Arkansas, and lived a life marked by kindness, devotion to children …
Mary Jean (Potter) Riethmiller
Mary Jean was born in Susquehanna, Penn., on March 27, 1940, to Kenneth and Jessie Potter. She attended schools in New Milford, Penn., until her senior year before moving with family to Columbus, …
Virginia Catherine Snow
Virginia Catherine Snow (née Lowney), 66, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., passed away on Aug. 9, 2026. Born on Dec. 15, 1959, in Sacramento, Calif., Virginia made her home in Pagosa Springs, where she was …
Kennie May Persson
Kennie May Persson (née Parrott) was born May 2,1948, in Denver, Colo., and passed away in Pagosa Springs, Colo., on Aug. 22, 2026, after a brief illness with Alzheimer’s. She passed peacefully …
Gene Doyle Johnson
Gene Doyle Johnson was born Dec. 17, 1931, in Farmersville, Texas. Sadly, Gene passed away Aug. 13, 2026. Gene was the youngest of three children born to Jess T. and Cora Lee Johnson. He is …

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