Top Stories
Archuleta County crash one of seven fatal crashes over weekend
The Valentine weekend winter storm impacted hundreds of travelers across the Colorado, beginning Friday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 16. In addition to difficult driving conditions, congested …
Lucero takes second at state wrestling tournament
Pagosa Springs High School’s Colton Lucero took second at the state wrestling tournament Saturday evening, falling to Isaiah Gallegos from Jefferson in the first-place match. The …
The San Juan Mountains are projected to get one to three feet of new snow in a 24-hour timeframe. This rapid load will quickly increase avalanche danger throughout the day on Friday. Avalanche danger will go from low (1 of 5) to high (4 of 5) overnight. Adapt your weekend plans accordingly and make very conservative terrain choices. This setup is ripe for a tragic avalanche incident, don't let it happen to you. NWS National Blend of Models, total snowfall by end of day Friday, Feb. 14.
Avalanche warnings in effect for busy and notoriously dangerous holiday weekend
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is warning backcountry travelers that the avalanche danger will rise to high (4 of 5) over the Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day weekend, one …
Measuring up: Feb. 1 snowpack below average
I think we’ve all seen those movies where on the side of the road there are some people waving signs and hollering about how the “End is near.”  You laughed it off at the time and continued with the movie, but now you’re thinking they’re probably right. I don’t blame you. It’s a scary time to be alive. Los Angeles was on fire again, and the snow is almost nonexistent for us in Pagosa Springs. 
PLPOA field, gym discussed at meetings
On Monday, Feb. 3, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) met with the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association (PLPOA) board, with discussions covering PLPOA’s proposed gymnasium, as wells as grants needed to construct a sports field behind the current PLPOA recreation center.
Town council to discuss Fourth of July celebration
The Pagosa Springs Town Council will be considering this year’s Fourth of July celebration at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18. 
Other local news

Schools, government offices and more close Friday

Friday's winter storm, which was accompanied by a power outage that at times affected 96.1 percent of La Plata Electric Association's meters in Archuleta County, closed local schools, government offices and …

Major winter storm to hit area late Thursday

A major winter storm associated with a strong atmospheric river will bring much-needed precipitation to the area late Thursday through at least Saturday evening, according to the National Weather …

Community Foundation celebrates 25th anniversary, announces granting for local nonprofits

Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado is excited to celebrate 25 years of supporting the nonprofit community in Southwest Colorado. 

LPEA plans ‘Coffee with Chris’ events

La Plata Electric Association Inc. (LPEA) invites cooperative members to meet LPEA’s new CEO, Chris Hansen, for a series of “Coffee with Chris” events. 

Archuleta County Democratic Club to meet Feb. 24

The Archuleta County Democratic Club will meet for lunch at Coyote Moon at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 24.
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Obituaries
Maurice Woodruff
Maurice Woodruff Sept. 25, 1939-Dec. 6, 2024  Maurice was born in Hollywood, Calif., to June Whitaker and Maurice Woodruff Sr.
Joe Bob Leake
In Loving Memory Joe Bob Leake Born Oct. 6, 1944 Died Jan. 19, 2025, at the age of 80 Born in Lubbock, Texas, Joe Bob lived in Pagosa Springs for 49 years.
Linda Kay Schoonover
Linda Kay Schoonover, 71, longtime resident of Pagosa Springs, passed peacefully Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. A joint come-and-go memorial service for Linda and Bill will be held at the Timber Ridge Clubhouse, 31 Shooting Star Drive, in Pagosa Springs, Colo., on Feb. 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon.
William Ray Schoonover (Bill)
A lifelong resident of Pagosa Springs, William Ray Schoonover (Bill), 75, passed Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. A joint come-and-go memorial service for Bill and Linda will be held at the Timber Ridge Clubhouse, 31 Shooting Star Drive, in Pagosa Springs, Colo., on Feb. 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon.
John Dudley Snider Sr.
John Dudley Snider Sr., of Pagosa Springs, Colo., passed away on Jan. 23, 2025, at the age of 82. He was born on Aug. 1, 1942, in Des Moines, N.M., the eighth of nine children.
Sports
The Pagosa Springs High School Lady Pirate wrestling team placed sixth out of 17 competing teams at the regional tournament held in Gunnison on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7 and 8, earning a total of 76.5 team points.
The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate wrestling team had four grapplers qualify for the state tournament at the regional tournament held in Parachute on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7 and 8.
The Pagosa Springs High School Lady Pirate swim team capped off its season Monday at the 3A Girls Swim and Dive Championship in Thornton.
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Business
A festive evening was held on Friday, Feb. 7, where residents and businesses of Pagosa Springs were honored at the annual Chamber Gala and Community Awards celebration. 
The Town of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County remain the most expensive places to live for a family of four in southwest Colorado, according to a study released Feb. 6 by the Region 9 Economic Development District.
Sales tax collections in December 2024 increased by 10.64 percent compared to figures from one year prior, according to reports released Feb. 11 by Archuleta County Finance Director Chad Eaton.
On Feb. 4, the Pagosa Springs Town Council authorized town staff to execute an agreement to collaborate with nonprofit organization Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) on developing a zero-emissions mobility plan for the Pagosa Springs area.
Education
Colorado families continue shaping history, with more than 19,000 applications already submitted for Colorado Universal Preschool’s 2025-2026 enrollment. 
A multigenerational group of more than two dozen parents, educators and community leaders gathered Monday evening inside Pagosa Springs Middle School (PSMS) to begin mapping a vision for the future of educational spaces in Archuleta School District (ASD).
Government
Opinion

Exploring the power of love

“So, when did the arrow strike?” It’s a question I sometimes ask couples about their encounter with Cupid. My probe draws immediate smiles framed within a variety of facial …

Beware the Trojan Horse targeting public land

Sometimes when I drive past the little house my wife and I bought when we first married, 30 years ago, it makes me sad. Not only because of nostalgia, but because of economics. We were young …

A California wildfire relief effort

The Los Angeles fires erupted on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Mysterious origins, probably the messy, overburdened utility lines, possibly arson, nobody knew — it just exploded, Los Angeles County and …

Entering eternity and the eternal now

I wonder. If I pray in the morning for the end of the Israel-Hamas war and for peace of mind and spirit for Daniel who is suffering alone in his room from a stroke, how can God receive and answer my …
Things to do

End of Life Education group announces upcoming speakers

People interested in end-of-life education will meet the third Thursday of each month at the Community United Methodist Church at 434 Lewis St.   Use the convenient parking lot with the …
Faith

Spiritual Experiences Group to continue spiritual IQ series Sunday

We are in month two of the “Raise Your Spiritual IQ” series. This month, our focus is “Your Dream Worlds Revealed.” This complimentary program offers 10 techniques …
Web extras
AI chatbots are becoming romance scammers — and 1 in 3 people admit they could fall for one
(BPT) - By McAfeeIt started with a DM.For five months, 25-year-old computer programmer Maggie K. exchanged daily messages with the man she met on Instagram, convinced she had found something …
10 can't-miss places to visit in the winter
Are you looking for trip ideas to embrace the cold weather months? CoPilot compiled 10 drivable U.S. locations that are ideal for winter visits.
A forecaster monitors incoming data for Hurricane Irma in 2017 at the National Hurricane Center, part of the NOAA.
NOAA’s vast public weather data powers the local forecasts on your phone and TV – a private company alone couldn’t match it
NOAA operates fleets of satellites, sensors on airplanes and ocean-going buoys, as well as radar, providing the data used by weather forecasters nationwide – and freely available to anyone.
What are the most distinctive baby names by state?
Spokeo used data from the Social Security Administration to find the most unique baby names in every state across the country as of 2023.
The best spring break destinations for both kids and their parents
(BPT) - Spring break takes on a whole new meaning when you become a parent. But that doesn't mean adults have to sacrifice all the fun for their kids.Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, home to …
Contributed
Top 10 Trusted Sources to Buy TikTok Likes
Jumping into the fire that’s the TikTok scene is a lot like stepping onto a never-ending escalator of content—sometimes, you’re up; sometimes, you’re down. For many users just …
Top 16 Trusted Sources to Buy TikTok Followers
Perhaps the best technique to boost and grow a sizeable presence on TikTok is to buy followers. If you wonder whether purchased followers will really become huge fans and buy the products …
Smart Money Management: How to Save Money on a Low Income
Managing finances and saving money on a low income can seem daunting, but with strategic planning and smart decisions, it's entirely possible to make the most of every dollar. This article outlines …
Buying Magic Mushrooms Online: Top 4 Brands & 6 Legal Alternatives Reviewed (2024)
Online stores selling magic mushrooms and psilocybin edibles are popping up across the internet, offering shipping to the United States, Canada, and Europe. Are the days of meeting up with the local dealer over?
Elevate Your Digital Security: Premier Antivirus Solutions and Cybersecurity Tools for Pagosa Springs, CO
In today's interconnected world, securing your computer network is essential to safeguard valuable data and maintain seamless operations. As cyber threats evolve, robust cybersecurity solutions …