Through public and private donations, $90,000 was raised to make improvements to an existing access point on the upper San Juan River to meet recreational demands. Thanks to a very successful fundraising effort that began in September 2020, Phase 1 of the project has been fully funded, and construction will start and end this fall.
Funding partners include the Pagosa Area Tourism Board, Town of Pagosa Springs, Archuleta County, Friends of the Upper San Juan River, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Southwest River Engineering, Mountain Land Associates, Colorado Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and Trout Unlimited’s Five Rivers Chapter. Additionally, the Great Outdoors Fund coordinated an online crowdfunding campaign that collectively raised $5,000 donated by dozens of individuals.
Project highlights include a new boat ramp with an eddy feature to make it safer for boaters to take their boats out of the river. The parking area will also be expanded, and a new information kiosk will be constructed on-site to provide visitors with information about the area and tips on how to recreate responsibly and be a good steward of our natural resources.
The overall project goals are to preserve and enhance recreation opportunities, reduce conflicts between recreational users, improve the recreation experience for all users, and eliminate trespass issues on private and Tribal lands.
These improvements will enhance the boater take-out area 12.2 river miles south of Pagosa Springs after floating the Mesa Canyon section of the San Juan River. Recreational boating is an essential part of the Pagosa Springs economy, and demand continues to increase. According to reported data by the Colorado River Outfitters Association, estimated direct expenditures from recreational boaters are $625,000 annually, with an estimated economic impact of $1.6 million to the community.