• Late August and early September brought the annual seasonal uptick of bear activity, with bears appearing in driveways, in trees, on a roof and in the laundry room of a local care facility.
• The majority of Archuleta County students returned to school for the 2024-2025 school year on Sept. 3.
• On Sept. 3, it was revealed during an exchange at a BoCC meeting that the recall election on Medina would not be moving forward.
• At its meeting on Sept. 3, the BoCC tabled its decision to move forward with a letter of intent, as well as a purchase and sale agreement, for the purchase of five acres of property to construct a new county administration building.
With the same motion, the BoCC also tabled a decision on moving forward with a letter of intent with Pagosa Partners I for the purchase of approximately 5.5 acres of land. That property is located in the Aspen Village development at 2901 Cornerstone Drive.
• On Sept. 3, the town council approved a motion for town staff to enter into negotiations for the purchase of about four acres of property adjacent to the San Juan River near the junction of U.S. 160 and U.S. 84, hoping to expand river access in the community.
• On Sept. 3, the board of the Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District (PSSGID) voted to move $500,000 from town funds to kick-start critical repairs on its sewer system, pushing off a bigger decision on financing for a larger overhaul of the system.
Public Works Director Karl John- son said that he feared a “catastrophic event” could be in the cards if the district didn’t do something then to shore up the system.
• Christopher Ross Maez, 56, was found guilty of murder in the first degree with intent with a finding of domestic violence on Sept. 6 for the 2019 homicide of Millie Mestas.
He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Jeffrey Wilson.
• The Sept. 7 Joe I. Vigil XC Invitational in Alamosa showcased progress across the Pirate cross-country teams, and featured a number of personal records.
• Schools in Archuleta County made broad improvements in standardized testing scores from the year prior, demonstrating growth across subjects but falling short of state averages, according to results released by the Colorado Department of Education that were discussed by Archuleta School District in September.
• The Pagosa Pickleball Club announced there were 198 registered participants with players ranging in age from 9 to 75+ in its annual tournament. A total of 419 matches were played Sept. 13-15.
• The PSHS Pirate cross-country teams finished first and third at the Sept. 14 Bayfield XC Invitational.
The Lady Pirates took first out of five teams and the Pirates took third out of nine teams.
The Lady Pirates were led on the day by Sienna Rose, who finished first with a time of 23 minutes, 46.74 seconds.
• Community members gathered for Veterans for Veterans of Archuleta County’s pancake breakfast and Young Eagle rides Sept. 14 and 15. The event provided free flights for kids 8-18, with 165 kids flying over the two days, including more than 100 who were first-time flyers.
• The SJWCD, with a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, released the first of three short educational films regarding the watershed and the future of the water supply in Archuleta County in September.
The video, “The Value of Snow,” was shown in multiple venues in the county and can also be viewed online at sjwcd.org.
• A plane crash-landed around noon in the area of Colo. 151 and Forest Service Road 613 on Sept. 17.
According to a press release from the ACSO, the Archuleta County Combined Dispatch Center received a 911 call at approximately 12:03 p.m. reporting that a light aircraft had crashed.
Upon arrival, it was determined the pilot and passenger “had safely evacuated the wreckage and walked to a nearby residence and called for assistance.”
The plane had two occupants, one of who was transported for medical assistance.
• Results of the 2024 La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) election were announced at the cooperative’s annual meeting on Sept. 18.
Representing District 1 (Archuleta County), candidate Kirsten Skeehan won with 990 votes. Candidate Dusty Mars received 466 votes.
• LPEA also announced on Sept. 18 that it had entered into a strategic agreement with Mercuria Energy America LLC to help LPEA build a new energy portfolio following the transition from its incumbent provider on April 1, 2026.
• On Sept. 19, the town council adopted new rates for the geothermal water that the town sends to The Springs Resort.
The new rates are based on what the council deemed as the “fair market” values of the heat and mineral content of the water.
The council decided that a fair market rate for the heat/energy of the water should reflect the same percentage of rate increases that general customers have experienced.
The council’s calculations deem that if The Springs Resort also paid these rate increases for the geothermal energy, its rate would be $2,084 per month or $25,007 annually, and this rate would be the fair market value for the heat/energy component of the water.
On the mineral component, the council decided that the fair market value would be determined by the daily entry fee that The Springs charges its nonresident visitors, resulting in a fee of $1,675 per month or $21,100 annually.
• On Sept. 19, the town council approved a resolution to authorize the professional services of a financial advisor to guide the town through the difficulties of financing large capital projects, such as the town’s needed sewer system improvements.
The council approved a professional services agreement with McLiney and Company to serve as the town’s financial advisor.
• A PSPD investigation determined no crime was committed and there was no nefarious intent when a maintenance person at 449 San Juan St. accessed the counting room of the Archuleta County Election’s Office on Sept. 20.
According to Rockensock, a maintenance employee for the building owner was working on a water leak at the facility on Sept. 20 and entered the election room “in the course of their duties.”
Rockensock and Archuleta both reported that the individual was in the room for a few seconds and left without touching anything, with both citing surveillance video.
• The Pirate football team hosted Monte Vista on Sept. 20 for the team’s first home game of the year.
The Pirates defeated Monte Vista 28-6, improving their record to 2-1 on the season.
• Students and staff at PSHS celebrated homecoming in the week leading up to the football game. Sophia Sottek was named queen, with Seth Zeigler named king. Honestye Sweet, Christopher Young-Martinez, Edgar Ortiz, Cadence Kerns, Kaila Limebrook, Tommaso Nigro, Duke Ketchum, Madison DeClark, Molly Washburn and Gage Sams rounded out the homecoming court.
• The annual ColorFest festivities brought color to town Sept. 21 and 22 with two mass hot air balloon ascensions, the Passport to Pagosa Wine and Food Festival, and Bands and Brews Festival.
• The PSPD reported a fatal bicycle accident that occurred on Sept. 21 at U.S. 160 at 8th Street.
The PSPD, PFPD and Pagosa Springs Medical Center EMS were dispatched to a vehicle and bicycle crash with injuries near the intersection of San Juan (U.S. 160) at 8th Street.
Upon officers’ arrival, lifesaving efforts were being administered by citizens on the scene.
The 64-year-old bicyclist, Conrad Steffens, from Seattle, Wash., was transported to Pagosa Springs Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.
The investigation determined the vehicle was driving westbound on San Juan making a left turn onto South 8th Street. The bicycle was riding east on San Juan. The bicycle collided with the passenger-side door of the truck.
• The major lunar standstill was observed in September and was featured in a number of events in Pagosa Springs and at Chimney Rock National Monument.
Every 18.6 years, the moon’s titled orbit aligns with the Earth’s axis, bringing the moon to its farthest northern or southern rising positions.
During the event, the moon rose between the two rock pinnacles, Chimney Rock and Companion Rock.
• In September, the PSPD reported that the pedestrian involved in an Aug. 1 collision passed away while hospitalized.
Rockensock identified the pedestrian as 68-year-old Brian Ambrosich.
• At a regular meeting on Sept. 26, the Archuleta County Planning Commission voted unanimously to table its recommendation in regard to an outdoor shooting range development at the Keyah Grande property.
In an interview, County Develop- ment Director Pamela Flowers explained that the range was developed in cooperation with the county to provide local law enforcement agencies with a place to train.
• At its Sept. 12 special meeting, the PAWSD board voted unanimously to direct staff to notify and consult with the SJWCD and the Colorado Water Conservation Board on a potential sale of Running Iron Ranch.
The board continued discussion of the sale at a Sept. 27 special meeting.
• Smith and fellow Pirate Tyler Dimond earned the chance to compete at the 3A state golf championship in Pueblo while competing at regionals in Cortez on Sept. 30.
