During a work session held by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on May 26, Commissioner Veronica Medina led a discussion on the county’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
The CEDS is facilitated by the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado.
According to Region 9’s website, “The CEDS document provides detailed economic and demographic profiles for Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan counties, and the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribes and is updated every five years. The purpose is to retain and create better paying jobs, fostering stable and more diversified economies, and improve the quality of life for residents of Southwest Colorado.”
During the work session, Medina indicated that the CEDS is historically led by Region 9, “which is appropriate,” she commented, but mentioned that she felt the BoCC didn’t have an opportunity “to really talk about what’s on it” and its vision for Archuleta County.
Medina noted that under the demographics and workforce section, employers consistently report difficulty in hiring.
She then spoke about the 3-mile plan overview, explaining how the Town of Pagosa Springs has its own 3-mile plan as well.
Medina noted that these plans are set by state law and deal with annexation.
According to the Department of Local Affairs, “The three-mile plan is a long range planning opportunity for municipalities to consider where they want to annex, how they will provide service in the newly annexed areas, and how they will sustain adequate levels of service throughout the rest of the municipality. It ensures that the municipality will annex land only when it is consistent with pre-existing plans for the surrounding area.”
Medina described the 3-mile plan as “interesting,” explaining that she’s had conversations with the county manager and attorney about annexation.
Medina also mentioned that she’s spoken with businesses located within town limits, stating they’ve asked what it would take for them to annex out of the town and back into the county.
“So, lots of conversation about annexation,” she said, noting that the state requires municipalities to review 3-mile plans every year, claiming the town has not reviewed its since 2011.
“If you’re not growing, you’re dying,” Medina said of the town’s plan, prompting the question of how annexation truly affects the county.
Medina then began to review items within the county’s CEDS, noting the first item being workforce housing.
“I feel like the county has done a lot with housing,” she said, mentioning completed and ongoing projects that the county has supported in the community.
Medina suggested that the Archuleta County Housing Authority (ACHA), which oversees the Socorro and elderly housing complexes, should be listed as a partner.
“They provide an essential housing solution for the elderly in our community,” Medina said.
Commissioners Warren Brown and John Ranson supported adding the ACHA as a housing partner in the CEDS.
Medina then commented on the Pagosa Area Recreation Coalition (PARC), which has been added as a CEDS item.
Medina explained that when PARC was forming the county and town “were talking a lot about a recreation district, and that was my hope and dream for PARC to be a recreation district.”
She acknowledged that there are difficulties in forming a recreation district, specifically with funding, “and that’s probably why it hasn’t been done.”
Medina mentioned that there could be some “real benefits” of the town and county helping PARC become a recreation district.
“I just feel like there’s a lot of opportunity …. having a recreation district would be very beneficial,” she said, noting that PARC’s current work is “absolutely beneficial” and that becoming a recreation district would be extra helpful.
Brown explained that the county’s previous attorney advised that forming a recreation district would be at least a two- or three-year-long process and would have to go to the ballot for voter support.
“To me, it makes sense,” Brown said, noting the town and county have separate recreation projects, and that the town has stepped up to support numerous projects.
“But, we do have a consistent stream of funds narrowly dedicated to parks,” Brown said, referring to Conservation Trust money the county receives from the state.
Medina then mentioned another CEDS item, the county’s landfill, and suggested that the Pagosa Fire Protection District and the Wildfire Adapted Partnership be added as partners in the county’s CEDS, due to a new chopper machine the county has that may be able to assist with fire mitigation work.
She also mentioned that the county’s plans for relocating its Pagosa Springs transfer station “will open up opportunities for recycling.”
Medina also mentioned there are biomass opportunities that “we just haven’t tapped into.”
“I like that concept a lot,” Ranson said, noting there are a “couple significant” businesses already located in the county that could tap into the biomass industry and create more jobs locally.
Brown agreed with Ranson’s and Medina’s comments, noting that biomass is a topic the county began talking about a few years ago, mentioning that it is “a resource that we underutilize substantially.”
Medina also talked about the county’s public health department, explaining the county separated from San Juan Basin Public Health in 2024.
Medina commended the work of the county’s public health director, Ashley Wilson, in figuring out the needs of the community, which “has really shown in the services being provided currently.”
Medina added that the public health department is an important resource for the community and that “families are finding value” in it.
“I feel like our public health department has come a long way and it has truly benefited our community,” Medina said.
Medina then moved to the topic of a new county administration building, noting she didn’t have much to add there.
Ranson commented that the county needs to do something, although he noted that he is not in favor of a 30,000-square-foot building at price of $25 million-$30 million, indicating the county may have an option to pursue a roughly 20,000-square-foot building at a price closer to $5 million-$6 million.
“I know there is a need,” Ranson said.
Brown agreed that the “need is there” and it is not going away, mentioning that he is looking forward to the results from facilities feasibility study being performed for the county by a company called Performance Services Inc.
During a later interview, Brown explained that earlier this year the county signed a “no cost” memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Performance Services for it to provide an assessment on a potential new administration building along with other existing “viable structures” in the community that might fit the county’s needs.
Brown indicated that he expects the assessment results to be shared with the county “anytime” now.
For more information on the MOU and what the assessment will provide, see the article “BoCC approves moving forward with facilities feasibility study,” published in the Jan. 22 issue of The SUN, or online at www.pagosasun.com/stories/bocc-approves-moving-forward-with-facilities-feasibility-study,121875.
During the work session, County Manager Longinos Gonzalez commented that the assessment results should be ready by mid-June.
Brown commented that any time the county is renting a space, it is not building equity for the county. He noted that the county is doing what it is needed to get by, but noted that renting a facility is not a permanent fix.
“I’m sure this board will come out with a reasonable and thoughtful decision,” Brown said in regard to deciding what to do for a new county administration building.
Medina then presented a series of her own items she suggested be added to the county’s CEDS.
She explained that the county receives tons of calls about roads, suggesting that be added as its own item to also include culverts, maintenance and gravel.
She noted that there is likely a “much bigger conversation” in regard to what roads in specific areas of the county it is responsible for.
Medina specifically mentioned that conversations with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe about rights of way are also occurring, noting that the county can not always immediately work on areas of County Road 500 due to portions of the road falling on tribal lands.
“It’s hard; we have some limitations there,” she said.
Medina went on to suggest that “power” be added as its own item, mentioning the need for generators in response to Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), or “rolling blackouts.”
Medina mentioned that the county needs reliable backup power from generators, “Because we know that, we — as a county government, we are not prepared if the power goes out for all things that we need to make sure have power.”
She also raised the question on what it would take to provide power into more parts of Aspen Springs.
Ranson commented that “the generator thing is big,” noting that Pagosa Springs Medical Center is working on getting more reliable backup power.
“They have some, but not what they’re gonna need,” he said, also suggesting the county may want to explore more power alternatives for future generations.
Brown offered similar comments, noting the power industry is growing by leaps and bounds.
“There’s a lot of movement in that field,” Brown said in regard to exploring alternative power options.
He also mentioned that having more options may give the county the ability to say “no” at times, “which I think may be as much, or more important.”
Medina then suggested that water be its own item under the county’s CEDS.
“Right now Colorado is in the fight of their life to keep the water that we have from other states,” she said.
Medina explained that the CEDS offers a vision for the county and that grant opportunities may become available for projects that align with items on the county’s CEDS.
“I’ve been told if it’s not on the CEDS, then it’s not really a plan,” Medina said.
She also brought up land banking as a way for the county to be “forward thinking” in its vision for the community, noting that land could be acquired and dedicated for certain purposes such as housing and commercial development.
Medina mentioned that the county really only has Cloman Park to offer businesses for industrial space at the moment, which is “pretty much tapped out.”
Ranson commented that the county is already doing some land banking in a small aspect with the parcel it purchased in Aspen Village in May 2025 for a potential new administration building.
“I’m not a big fan of grants to buy land,” Ranson said, noting he finds it hard to call it a grant when it requires more expenses on the county such as having to hire more employees.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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