By De Anna Hoyle
As we enjoy the warmer days here in the Rocky Mountains, we recognize the mid-April celebration of Earth Day, first held in 1970. Pagosa locals have joined to honor and celebrate in various ways over the years, beginning in 2009, through a community event hosted by the Southwest Organization for Sustainability. We invite the community to join us again this month by joining the highway crews that pick up trash along our byways. You can lend a hand by picking up trash when you see it in your path and properly disposing of it.
Additionally, we will honor Earth Day on Saturday, April 24 with a community event along the River Walk loop, where various organizations will be sharing information about their programs.
We want to recognize the organizations that contribute to the beautification of our area through programs like CDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway and Archuleta County’s Adopt-a-Road. The following entities have donated many volunteer hours and energy to pick up trash along portions of highway in Archuleta County and the surrounding area:
- Pagosa Photography
- Last Resort RV Park & Campground
- Archuleta County Democratic Party
- Family and Friends of Bret Maulsby
- Colorado Kids 4-H Club
- Family of Heath Haven
- Wright Natural Bakery
- Pedal the Peaks
- Planeta/Browning Families
- The Pinon Project Family Resource Center
- Friends of Jerry Garcia, Tye Dye Steve, & Jesse Whisman
- In Memory of Garrett Wayne Carothers
- In Memory of Gary & Darin IBEW Local 111 Unit 26A
- San Juan Outdoor Club
- Pagosa Springs Noon Rotary Club
- Knights of Columbus #7560
The following are a list of volunteers and the locations for the Archuleta County’s Adopt-a-Road program:
- Timber Ridge HOA: Bristlecone DR.
- Friends of Fawn Gulch: CR 113
- Mauricio & Veronica Medina: CR411 – first 2 miles
- Archuleta County Republican Women: CR 500 – first 5 miles
- Masonic Pagosa Lodge: Light Plant Rd.
- TARA Community Center: Milton Ln. Arboles
- Tina & Craig Edwards: Saturn Dr.
- Veterans for Veterans of Archuleta County: Vista Blvd.
The Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association (PLPOA) also has volunteer groups picking up trash in their area.
A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to all! We gratefully honor all of the groups for contributing to the beauty of Pagosa Springs.