At its Nov. 18 meeting, the Upper San Juan Health Service District Board of Directors, which oversees Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC), took multiple steps toward having a location for emergency medical services (EMS) on the east side of Pagosa Springs.
The steps came months after the board first heard the district had received communication from the San Juan Rangers regarding a parcel of land on San Juan Street that was potentially still held in the district’s name. The district then carried out a title search on the property.
Then, on Nov. 18, the board unanimously approved Resolution 2025-17 following an executive session.
That resolution authorizes PSMC CEO Dr. Rhonda Webb to take actions to resolve any actual or potential title defects to the property and authorize fundraising for the renovation of the building to use it as an east-side EMS location.
PSMC Chief Administrative Officer/Legal Counsel Ann Bruzzese told the board the district is hoping to solve the title issues by agreement with the Town of Pagosa Springs.
The resolution explains that, on Oct. 16, the San Juan Rangers executed and recorded a quitclaim deed to PSMC conveying any interest it has to a surveyed description of 1.53 acres of property on San Juan Street.
That property, the resolution describes, “was initially conveyed in 1960 from the Town of Pagosa Springs to the Medical Center (a predecessor to the Upper San Juan Health Service District d/b/a Pagosa Springs Medical Center) and as a result of subsequent conveyances to the San Juan Rangers (and its predecessor the Colorado Mounted Rangers Troop F), the 1.53 acres are now known as:
“• 350 San Juan Street (1.34 acres of land) titled in the name of the Town of Pagosa Springs ... ; and
“• 302 San Juan Street (0.19 acres of land) titled in the name of Pagosa Springs Medical Center ...”
It adds, “certain historical conveyances and/or agreements have resulted in actual or potential issues that PSMC would like to remedy before it expends sums of money to renovate the building on 302 San Juan for the operation of an east-side EMS.”
The resolution also indicates the matter will come before the Pagosa Springs Town Council, noting, “the PSMC Board is hearing this matter in advance of any opportunity for the same to be reported to Town Council so PSMC staff seek authority to negotiate, execute documents and/or take other actions to secure PSMC’s uninterrupted right of use of 302 San Juan.”
The resolution and Bruzzese also noted the facility will need renovations, with the resolution stating, “the building at 302 San Juan needs renovation before PSMC EMS staff can safely and effectively work in the building for 24-hour shifts as an east-side EMS station, and as such, PSMC staff seek authority to pursue fundraising for such renovations.”
Bruzzese explained the facility needs bedrooms, work space and bathrooms with showers.
She noted it is in PSMC’s strategic plan to find a spot on the east side of town for an EMS facility and called it a good opportunity.
Board member Wayne Hooper noted he can’t think of a better place.
randi@pagosasun.com
>