The Community of Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Welcome to Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Imagine sunbelt living at 7000 feet.  Fresh mountain air, Colorado blue skies, a four-season climate with non-humid summer days, cool summer nights and intense winter sunshine with abundant snow. The town is appealing day or night - the winter night photo was shot by local photographer, Jeff Laydon.  Pagosa Springs is one of National Geographic Adventure's 50 Best Places to Live - The Next Great Adventure Towns (Sept 2008).

Pagosa is a charming little mountain town surrounded by a recreational paradise of stunning beauty - ski, ride, hike, hunt, fish in the 2.5-million acre San Juan National Forest and adjacent wilderness areas.   In Pagosa Lakes there's a 27-hole championship golf course and downtown there are healing mineral hot springs to soak and relax in. Whether you are seeking adventure or serenity, you're dreamin' of life in Pagosa Country.

We also have quite an active arts community and a plethora of local events throughout the year.  Visit the Arts & Events page for more details.

County population: Approximately 12,000 with some 1500 in the downtown area

Only 35% of the land in Archuleta County is privately owned...
Approximately 50% is owned or controlled by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

Approximately 15% is owned by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

Greater Pagosa Springs is primarily a resort area, with no industry and a high percentage of both youngsters and retirees and semi-retirees.  A building boom that got underway in the early 90's has kept the construction business busy through most of the past decade ... not so much these past few years, however.  Being a resort area, the local economy is sensitive to the national economy and this recession has been quite brutal to Pagosa businesses.

Alas, I couldn't pick just 12 photos to represent Pagosa, so here's more: