The U.S. 160 project team will break for the holidays through Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. With favorable weather, a smaller team of workers will continue performing utility upgrades during the winter “slowdown.” The full WW Clyde/Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) team will resume season two of full construction in early March 2026, weather permitting.
For more on the project progress and what’s ahead for 2026, see the Jan. 1, 2026, issue of The SUN.
2025 project progress
Season 1 of construction included the following utility enhancements through a collaborative partnership with CDOT, the Town of Pagosa Springs and several utility partners:
• Upgraded and rebuilt water and sewer service lines from 1st Street to the Lewis alley.
• New waterlines to eliminate decades old, asbestos-lined pipes.
• Replaced fire hydrants with newer models.
• More than 16,000 feet of electrical conduit for upgraded streetlights and future technology services conduit needs.
• Geothermal lines replaced.
• Mapped all utilities from the 1st Street to the Lewis alley.
• Blackhills Energy (BHE): Advanced location of lines and relocation of facilities has been completed. Continued coordination between contractor and BHE for removal of retired lines. No further relocation work by BHE is anticipated.
• Lumen Communications: Installation of conduit crossing U.S. 160 at 5th Street.
• Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD): Replacement and installation of new water lines throughout the corridor.
• La Plata Electric Association: Retirement of overhead service line, installation of conduit for underground service lines.
Town 2025 end-of-year construction highlights
As work continues along US 160 and downtown, the town completed several important improvements this year that support safety, accessibility, infrastructure resilience, and downtown beautification.
Improved lighting and streetscape enhancements:
• New streetlights were installed along the north side of U.S. 160 from 1st Street into the 400 block.
• The 400-block sidewalk received upgrades including new red-dyed concrete to help clearly distinguish the accessible walking zone (gray) from the streetscape “furniture zone” (red), where benches, street trees, trash/recycling cans, and lighting will be placed.
• Irrigation conduit was installed to support future street trees and hanging flower baskets along both the middle school frontage and the 400 block.
Downtown greening and beautification
• New street trees were planted along the middle school sidewalk this fall.
• Additional tree boxes are now installed in the 400 block, with planting planned for spring 2026.
Middle school frontage upgrades
• The entire middle school sidewalk was replaced to improve accessibility, appearance and drainage.
• A new Mountain Express Transit shelter is now in place.
• In 2026, the town will also add benches, a bike repair station and new trash/recycling containers along this corridor.
Major underground utility improvements
• Thirty private sewer laterals were repaired or replaced between 1st and 7th streets, significantly improving reliability for adjacent homes and businesses.
• Three sections of sanitary sewer mainline were repaired, including a full 120-foot replacement between 6th and 7th Streets.
• The town completed replacement of the geothermal district heating supply and return lines, running from the heat-exchange building under U.S. 160 to the Lewis alley.
• PAWSD upgraded key water line infrastructure at both 2nd Street and 4th Street to modernize the system.
Improved fire protection
• New fire water lines and fire hydrants were installed in the 400 block to improve fire response and protection.
Stormwater and drainage improvements
• A new storm drain culvert was installed along the west side of North 2nd Street, connecting to CDOT’s upgraded drainage under U.S. 160.
• Related curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement were completed as part of this update.
Additional public parking options
Four improved temporary parking areas are now available at: The Springs Resort, the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library, the southeast corner of 5th Street and U.S. 160, and the River Center. These lots help support businesses and visitors during construction.
Help protect new concrete sidewalks this winter
• Do not use salt or standard ice melt on new concrete during the first winter.
• New concrete is still curing and salt causes permanent surface damage.
• Salt leads to scaling, flaking and spalling from freeze-thaw cycles.
• Chlorides in salt can chemically weaken concrete and cause steel reinforcement to rust.
• Once damaged, concrete deterioration worsens each winter and is costly to repair.
• Use these safer alternatives instead: sand (best for traction), nonclumping kitty litter or concrete-safe de-icers such as calcium magnesium acetate.
Stay informed and connect with the project
• Call the project information line: (970) 335-9230.
• Email the project team: Pagosa160reconstruction@gmail.com.
• Visit the project website: www.codot.gov/projects/us160pagosasprings.
• Subscribe to project updates: subscription.cotrip.org.
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