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MINUTES
Town Hall 551 Hot Springs Blvd Town Council Meeting
Pagosa Spring, CO 81147 January 20, 2026 @ 5:00 PM
A regular meeting of the Pagosa Springs Town Council was called to order on January 20, 2026 at
5:00 PM in the Town Hall 551 Hot Springs Blvd.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Pierce, Council Member Bergon, Council Member
deGraaf, Council Member DeGuise, Council Member Lindner,
Council Member Martinez, and Council Member Williams
COUNCIL ABSENT:
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. DISCLOSURES AND/OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Council Member Bergon said that she is employed by Habitat for Humanity. Mayor Pierce said
she didn't think there was a conflict because Habitat was not asking for funding at this time.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Eddie Archuleta said he wants to know who was in charge of the sidewalks from 8th Street
to Florida Street and up Florida Street because no one is cleaning them or removing snow.
Mayor Pierce said that it is up to the property owner unless it is a town-recognized trail. Town
Manager Harris is looking into it.
VI. PRESENTATIONS
1. Habitat for Humanity Update

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Town Council
January 20, 2026
Executive Director Leah Ballard gave Town Council an update on year four of the five-year
plan from Habitat for Humanity. In the five-year plan, they have 15 energy-efficient, long-
term affordable houses set for 15 workforce families. In 2025, Habitat for Humanity
completed three homes, making the total homes built since 2022 eleven. The goal for 2026
is to complete four additional homes to complete the 15 homes in five years. Habitat for
Humanity has become a Clayton Modular dealership, helping save over $20,000 per unit. In
the future, they want to work with other non-profits and government organizations to
broaden their impact in the community.
VII. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of the January 6, 2026 Meeting Minutes
2. December Financial Statement and Payments
3. Quarterly Investment Report
4. Letter of Support for CTO Tourism Management Grant
Council Member Williams moved to approve the consent agenda, Council Member Martinez
seconded.
VIII. REPORTS TO COUNCIL
1. Sales Tax Report
The County reported sales and marijuana tax receipts for November down 10.28%, with
retail trade being the hardest hit. When the Town separated the marijuana tax, the sales tax
portion was down 9.91%.
2. Other Department Reports
a. Administration Report
b. Lodging Tax Report
c. Municipal Court Department Report
d. Parks and Recreation Monthly Report
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Town Council
January 20, 2026
e. Police Department Report
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Ordinance 1023, Second Reading, Authorizing an Amendment to an Agreement with
the Pagosa Springs Medical Center Affecting an Interest in Real Estate (San Juan
Rangers building, 302 San Juan St.)
Town Manager Harris said some questions were raised after the first reading about what
would happen if the Hospital no longer needed the property, and he said it would revert to
the Town's ownership.
Council Member Williams moved to approve Ordinance 1023, second reading, authorizing
an amendment to an agreement with the Pagosa Springs Medical Center affecting an
interest in real estate (San Juan Rangers building, 302 San Juan St.), Council Member
deGraaf seconded.
X. NEW BUSINESS
1. Tourism Messaging and 2026 Marketing Plan
Tourism Director Jennifer Green, said staff created a video promoting Pagosa being open
for skiing, soaking, and outdoor recreation. Staff is also working on spring break specific
campaigns that will target all the 2025 audiences that visited Pagosa in March 2025 (based
on mobility data). All of these efforts are in addition to multiple other campaigns currently
running across META, YouTube, and through the Colorado Tourism Office. Spring
campaigns will begin to roll out towards the end of February and will run through May.
She said the lodging tax for October was down 9%. She feels the October floods and the
government's 6-week shutdown play a role in that. November lodging tax was up 6.8%.
Council Member Martinez said he watched a show on PBS that featured the hot springs and
said it was very well done. Council Member Lindner said a thank you to staff for listening to
the local businesses' concerns about promoting Pagosa being open. Town Manager Harris
said new banners for parking will be placed on light poles around town to help direct visitors.
Mayor Pierce said feathered flags will be placed for business access.
2. Ordinance 1024, First Reading, Submitting to the registered electors of ballot
question to amend Article 6, Section 6.6 of the Home Rule Charter to modify the
maximum fine and maximum jail sentence for violations of Town Ordinances and
Regulations
Ordinance 1024 cleans up language in the Town Charter to shift the responsibility of setting
the maximum fine and maximum jail sentence for violations of town ordinances and
regulations to Town Council. The question will appear on the ballot for the April 7, 2026,
municipal election.
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Town Council
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Council Member Bergon moved the approval of Ordinance 1024, an ordinance of the Town
of Pagosa Springs submitting to the registered electors a ballot question to amend Article 6,
Section 6.6 of the Home Rule Charter to modify the maximum fine and maximum jail
sentence for violations of town ordinances and regulations, Council Member Lindner
s econd.
3. Ordinance 1025, First Reading, Ballot Measure authorizing a CWCB $3 million loan
for flood recovery efforts
Ordinance 1025 allows the Town to apply for a $3 million loan through the Colorado Water
Conservation Board (CWCB) to assist in the two-mile downtown river corridor flood
recovery. It will appear on the ballot for the April 7, 2026, municipal election. The current
flood recovery efforts is not to reconstruct the river corridor to what it was prior to the
October 2025 flood. Given the two-mile downtown river is in essence a public playground,
the intent is to ensure that the river corridor is a safe place for public use, and riverbanks are
armored to protect public infrastructure. The CWCB loan has a three-year period at zero
interest, and a low 3.35% interest rate after the no-interest period.
Council reviewed the loan total amount of $3 millions through CWCB with an annual
payment of approximately $170,000. There are several grants associated with the $6 million
dollar repairs needed for the most damaged areas of flooding. The loan is not required if
FEMA is obtained later or if additional funds are received. Mayor Pierce said she wants to
make sure if the loan is voted on and approved, that all projects regarding the river are
approved by the Town Council before moving forward. She said she is not sure which roads
and bridges need fixing and how much work needs to be done to the river in case of another
flood. Council Member Bergon said it's important to recognize the huge economic driver the
river is to our community. She wants to protect the resources our town has. Council Member
Williams said he is concerned about everyone assuming another flood won't happen, but he
supports the project.
Council Member DeGuise moved the approval of Ordinance 1025, an ordinance of the Town
of Pagosa Springs submitting to the registered electors at the April 7, 2026, regular town
election a ballot question authorizing the town to incur debt in the form of a loan from the
Colorado Water Conservation Board to fund disaster recovery from the October 2025 San
J uan River flood. Council Member Bergon seconded.
XI. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Executive session pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e), determining positions relative to matters that
may be subject to negotiations, developing a strategy for negotiations, and instructing negotiations
regarding the pre-development agreement between the Town and Servitas, LLC.
Council Member deGraaf motioned to go into executive session pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(e),
determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing a strategy
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Town Council
January 20, 2026
for negotiations, and instructing negotiations regarding the pre-development agreement between
the Town and Servitas, LLC, Council Member Lindner seconded.
Town Council entered executive session at 5:59 pm. Mayor Pierce called the meeting back in regular
session at 6:46 pm.
XIII. MAYOR, COUNCIL, TOWN MANAGER COMMENTS/UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS
Town Manager Harris gave a sanitation update that pump station one has a functional bypass
pump in place and are waiting on prices and lead times for other repairs. He said the message
boards on either side of town belong to CDOT. The Town is able to put messages on them and
he will be working with Jennifer Green and Karl Johnson on future messages. He said the jersey
barriers along the highway can be moved if desired, but it will cost $15,360.00 each time they
are moved. He said the Humane Society Thrift Store wants to work with the Town to get waivers
for staff parking during construction on their side of the highway.
Council Member Williams said he would like to see the Town raise the problem with the sewer
system to an emergency level with the State. He said it would help show the need for a new
treatment plant. Town Manager Harris said he had a conversation with DOLA about how to fast-
track our sewer situation and applications.
Council Member Martinez said he found the uptown location for the new school district
interesting. Council Member Lindner said the desire for the uptown location would be for more
field space for all the schools, since they are currently fighting over field time at their current
location. Council Member Bergon said she would like to keep the school district downtown, but
likes the idea of them going uptown to get more development out west. Council Member
Williams said he would like to see more public buildings built in the center of town.
XIV. UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS
January 26, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Joint Town Council and County Commissioners Work Session
February 3, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Regular Council Meeting
February 17, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Regular Council Meeting
February 23, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Joint Town Council and County Commissioners Work Session
March 3, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Regular Council Meeting
March 17, 2026 at 5:00 pm: Regular Council Meeting
XV. ADJOURNMENT
M ayor Pierce adjourned the meeting at 7:13 pm.
Shari Pierce
Mayor
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