About the Pagosa Springs, Colorado Area 

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Pagosa Springs, located in the southwest corner of Colorado, is nestled in the "sunbelt" and boasts more sun-drenched days than the state of Florida. It is a small friendly mountain community. Pagosa Springs, the county seat of Archuleta County, surrounded by the San Juan Mountain Range and the San Juan National Forest, has more than 3 million acres of National Forest to explore and enjoy. Pagosa Springs is a gateway to numerous attractions within the Four Corners area. 

Beautiful Pagosa Springs is situated at the junction of Highways 160 and 84, and is within easy driving distance of several major cities.  

Distance to Major Cities:
Albuquerque,NM: 212 miles
Colorado Springs: 242 miles
Cortez: 110 miles
Dallas,TX: 658 miles
Denver: 270 miles
Durango: 61 miles
Farmington, NM: 95 miles
Oklahoma City, OK: 654 miles
Phoenix, AZ: 501 miles
Santa Fe, NM: 160 miles 

Airports
The Durango-La Plata County Airport is a jet capable facility 56 miles west of Pagosa Springs. United Express, America West, Mesa Airlines and Mountain Air Express all provide service to Durango. There are currently 8 flights a day from Denver, 3 flights per day from Phoenix and 1 flight a day from Albuquerque. The winter months bring commercial air service from Houston as well. We see the prices fluctuate greatly but if you watch pricing on the internet, you should be able to fly into Durango from any major city for $275 - $350. If you want help getting the best airfares, call and talk to Lauri – she's our travel expert. She's been known to get to Minneapolis or Sacramento to visit family for under $250! 

Stevens Field is a public airport in Pagosa Springs. It is three miles northwest of the town. Its estimated elevation is 7700 feet. The airport has one fixed base operator, Durango Jet Center, that provides aircraft fuel service (Avfuel), 24 hour self service, charter and air ambulance flights, flight instruction, aircraft rental and repair, and sightseeing flights, tiedowns, hangar and maintenance services.
 

Terrain
Pagosa Springs, at an elevation of 7,079 feet above sea level, is located in the southwest corner of Colorado. It is bounded on the north by the beautiful, rugged San Juan Mountains and the Continental Divide, on the south by the Colorado-New Mexico border, on the west by the Yellow Jacket pass, and on the east by magnificent Wolf Creek Pass.  

It is located near the Four Corners region of the country where the States of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona meet.  

Population
The estimated population for 2,005 is 2,000 people. 

Jobs
In Archuleta County the industries providing most employment include Construction (18%); Arts, Entertainment, Recreation (17%); Retail Trade (14%); Educational, Health and Social Services (13%). These numbers have gone up since the 2000 census. 

Colleges/Universities
Colleges and universities closest to Pagosa Springs include Fort Lewis College, about 58 miles away in Durango, CO; Adams State College, about 81 miles in Alamosa, CO; San Juan College, about 85 miles in Farmington, NM; Western State College Colorado, about 99 Miles in Gunnison. 

Housing
Single Family new construction in 2004 cost an average of $179,000. The Median sale price for a home in 2002 was $189,549.  

Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
Nearby Wolf Creek Ski Resort declares that it gets "the first snow, the best snow and the most snow." Pagosa Springs is a paradise for cross-country skiers too. The 3 million acres of National Forest are open or you can ski on groomed trails at the golf course. There are endless possibilities for sledding or snowmobiling, too. For ice skating, visit the public skating pond behind the River Center in town. 

The Pagosa Springs Golf Club is a spectacular golf course with 27 championship holes. Ponderosa pines line the fairways making the course both beautiful and challenging. From the course you have a magnificent view of the San Juan Mountains.

Pagosa History
"Pagosa" is the Ute word for "Healing Waters". In 1859 when Captain J.N. Macomb, a surveyor for the U.S. government, arrived at Pagosa Springs, he described the location as "….the most beautiful hot springs in the world. There is scarcely a more beautiful place on the face of the earth."  

The Utes and Navajos probably agreed with these sentiments, as they sporadically fought for control of the springs. The Indians heavily used the springs with trails deeply worn from all directions. The largest spring (Great Pagosa) measured 75 feet across, and even today its water emerges from the rocks at a scalding 153 degrees. More than one Indian brave attempted to show his courage by trying to swim across this seething cauldron; the results were grim.

According to legend, around 1867, the Utes and Navajos agreed to a final one-on-one duel over the springs' rightful ownership. The Navajos chose a huge brave to fight for them. The Utes chose Colonel Albert Pfieffer as their representative. Both men, stripped to the waist and armed with bowie knives, rushed at each other. Pfieffer quickly outmaneuvered the large Navajo. Pfieffer flung his knife at his Navajo rival, killing him. The Utes took undisputed possession of the springs.

Unfortunately, Native American possession of anything of value was not part of the plan and in 1874 the Burnot Agreement was passed and possession of the hot springs went to the white man. By 1880, a one-square-mile area surrounding the springs had been clamed by the U.S. government and a town site was plotted that year. In 1891 the town was established and shortly after the Denver& Rio Grande Railroad arrived when it extended service to the nearby San Juan Mining district. Ranches and lumber mills sprang up. At one time the Pagosa Springs area was the largest lumber producing area in the state. Many of the original buildings from the late 1800's still stand on Main St. today.  

Special Attractions/Events
Pagosa Springs has the largest natural mineral therapeutic hot springs in the world. The hot mineral water still holds an aura of mystique and many attest to its therapeutic value. Though the springs have never achieved the notoriety of resorts such as Glenwood Springs and Ouray, they are finally being recognized as possibly the largest Hot Springs in North America. You can sit back, relax to the beautiful scenery, and bathe in the hot springs all year round. 

Durango-Silverton Railroad is an 1882 vintage train that travels from Durango to Silverton through remote areas. The Cumbres and Toltec scenic railway is the highest and longest narrow gauge railroad. Built in 1880, the steam railway has changed little from that time. It is a breathtaking tour through the mountains, over bridges, along narrow shelves that look over magnificent canyons.  

Waterfalls are abundant in Pagosa Country. The most accessible one is Treasure Falls, located at the foot of Wolf Creek Pass. 

Interesting Facts
Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve the building sites constructed by pre-Columbian Indians on the Mesa Tops and in the canyons. For 750 years the Pueblo Indians inhabited these structures 

The Weminuche wilderness area in Colorado is the largest roadless area in the state and it was the last area that a Colorado grizzly bear was confirmed to be seen. There is still a debate going on about the so-called “Ghost Grizzlies” some people say still live in the wilderness in secluded habitats. 

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