At an Aug. 6 meeting held by the Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board, the board approved multiple funding requests, which included a transportation funding request for a pedicab service to operate in downtown Pagosa Springs.
Other items approved included funding for a visitor sentiment survey and monies to be used for a marketing matching grant from the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO).
Jennifer Green, executive director of Visit Pagosa, first briefed the board on the transportation funding request coming from Pagosa Zip Trips, represented by Jason Cox.
Green explained that the U.S. 160 construction project is the impetus for the pedicab service, though it could help improve transportation going forward after the project is finished.
“I think it’ll eventually become a business,” she said, explaining the plan is for the Pagosa Zip Trips to provide a free pedicab service for the first year “to get people around downtown.”
She described the service as a “last-mile solution” to help move people around downtown.
“We know that transportation is a challenge with or without construction,” Green added.
She explained the funding request amount is for $10,707, noting that as an “extremely specific” request, and that the funds will not be covering capital expenses, but only for the service to be free in 2025.
According to Green, the tourism board had $64,800 in the 2025 budget for “construction transportation” at the time of the request.
Green’s agenda report states, “While there was no specific plan for the funds, the idea was to have funds available as needs were identified once construction began.”
Cox explained that he would be ordering the pedicab vehicle later that week, noting the vehicle will be able to haul four to six people at a time.
He noted he anticipated having the vehicle by mid- to late September and plans to run the service throughout the fall season “to test the market.”
He also noted that the service would be offered for special events downtown, and explained that the vehicle could also be used to provide leisure rides for seniors.
Green also indicated that the Mountain Express Transit service intends to connect the pedicab to its transit to have a more robust transportation app available for the community.
Cox explained that he is not sure what the best way to run the service is yet, whether that be running fixed routes with designated pickup and drop-off locations, or having it run on a dispatch-style system and cater toward special events.
He also indicated that there would be “limited” year-round capacity and that the focus would be providing the service in the summer.
He mentioned that future plans for an uptown service are a possibility as well.
“This is gonna be a great community fit, and we want to just get it started,” Cox said.
He explained that a “fully certified” pedicab vehicle can cost up to $15,000.
“These are hefty vehicles,” he said, explaining it has an electric assist motor, brakes and shocks.
Board member Shane Lucero commented that he likes the idea, but was unsure about providing taxpayer money to help a business.
Cox explained that the pedicab service will likely not produce any profits for a while.
“We want to help the community,” he said.
Cox acknowledged that the construction project is the impetus for the idea, “but this is a longer-sided vision,” adding that he wants to be able to provide low-cost or free rides.
According to Green’s report, the funds will be used to cover operating expenses such as drivers’ salaries.
The board then voted unanimously to approve the funding request.
Visitor sentiment survey
Green then presented the request to pursue a visitor sentiment survey, explaining the last sentiment survey performed was in 2018.
She explained the survey will help identify through existing visitors what they liked and didn’t like about their visit.
She also explained that the survey will reach out to people who chose a different destination and ask why they did not choose to visit Pagosa Springs.
Green explained the price for the survey to be performed by Mission 2 Market is $9,750, noting there are still funds available from the personnel budget left from unfilled positions this year.
Green indicated the information from the survey could help guide the board’s 2026 priorities.
She explained the survey will be conducted largely through email and offer some sort of cash incentive for respondents to win.
Green mentioned these surveys could be performed on an annual or seasonal basis to better help understand the value of things like the construction project.
She noted this is an “opportunity to learn from the visitors.”
The board then unanimously approved the request.
2026 CTO marketing matching grant
The CTO offers an annual marketing grant program, Green stated, explaining that in the past Pagosa Springs has partnered with Durango and Cortez for the grant.
Green explained that Pagosa Springs opted to partner with Alamosa this year as the state “heavily” favors partnerships with its grant program.
She noted the past two years have focused on international travel and that this year will focus more on attracting domestic visitors.
She explained the “caveat” with the grant is that if an entity is awarded three years in a row, then it would not be eligible for receiving a grant the following year, essentially having to sit out a year.
She noted that a “loophole” with this is potentially by partnering with other entities, rotating which entity would be the fiscal agent for the grant.
Green indicated the grant provides an additional $50,000 of marketing through the state if awarded.
According to Green’s report, “For every $1 the organization allocates to the program, the Colorado Tourism Office will provide $2 in matching funds. The Colorado Tourism Office will award grants up to $49,000.”
clayton@pagosasun.com
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