On June 16, the Pagosa Springs Town Council decided to cancel the fireworks display scheduled for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations.
Tourism Director Jenny Green explained to the council that the town’s hired vendor had requested to be notified by end of day on June 16 regarding if the fireworks display would still be scheduled.
“The deadline is today,” Green explained, “to cancel without incurring any costs” for the town.
She added, “The vendor is trying to avoid unnecessary cancellation fees for the town and greatly appreciates its relationship with Pagosa.”
“At this stage, they have a semi and lodging booked that would need to be canceled. They fully understand the situation we are dealing with and are just trying to limit their non-refundable expenses,” an agenda document on the matter states.
Town Manager David Harris chimed in to remind the council that the town is currently in Stage 1 fire restrictions and that, under that level of restriction, fireworks would not be allowed.
By July 4, the town could be looking at elevated Stage 2 restrictions, he stated, adding that “it’s a tinder box we are sitting in.”
Green explained that under the contract with the vendor, a fireworks display would need to happen at some point in the year and that perhaps they could discuss having one in the fall — if or when fire danger subsides.
When a motion was made to cancel the July 4 fireworks due to drought, it was seconded and approved unanimously by their council.
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