Pagosa Springs is not the only mountain community – or urban community, for that matter – that is experiencing a housing calamity. Communities are looking at Short-Term Rental moratoriums, restrictions, funding or tax assessment structures to assist funding Long-Term Housing or housing programs or projects. Other communities are looking at available land that can be developed, partnerships… and the list continues. Some communities have developed housing authorities to manage low-income housing projects, deed restricted housing projects, income from community-based funding streams and the like.
One such organization is the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority, and its Executive Director, Jennifer Kermode, will be coming to Pagosa to discuss some housing successes in Gunnison Valley, as well as facilitate a discussion on workforce housing solutions.
The presentation will be held on Monday, August 30 at 9am at the Ross Aragon Community Center, hosted by Pagosa Housing Partners in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and the Pagosa Chamber of Commerce. This housing forum will discuss success stories and ideas that may work in Pagosa, lessons learned and mistakes to try and avoid, and will address other important topics such as incentives, zoning regulations, deed restrictions, understanding the link between vacation rentals and long-term housing and much more.
The forum is open to the public and is a time for our community to learn, perhaps develop some next steps and move forward on a topic that is of great concern to many Pagosans. Please be a part of this very important community conversation.
Volunteers needed for ColorFest activities
Do you have some spare time on your hands? Have you been wanting to meet some new people and get engaged in the community? Have you tried to attend a ColorFest activity before, but it was already sold out? Now is your opportunity to become involved in one or more of the Chamber’s ColorFest weekend activities. Here are a few options you can choose from.
First is infrastructure of the event. Assistance in setting up, decorating, break down is always needed. These duties take place before and after the actual festivities. We then have the Passport to Pagosa Wine & Food Festival on Friday evening, September 17 and the Bands and Brews Festival on Saturday, September 18.
Volunteers are needed to serve food provided by our many fabulous restaurants, serve wine, serve beer by regional brewers, work at registration or entrance tables and also selling merchandise. We have an array of opportunities and skill levels.
The easiest way to check out the volunteer opportunities is to go to this link. Sign up now and be a part of an important community event.
One other volunteer opportunity is to crew for some of our hot air balloon pilots on September 18 & 19 in the morning from about 7:30-10:30am. The balloons will launch from the downtown area on Saturday and from the westside on Sunday morning. Balloon pilots look for assistance in helping launch the balloon the then “chase” the balloon as it descends. Knowledge of the various areas and access to streets is an important component in volunteering for this duty. If you are interested in being a “chase crew” please contact the Chamber directly for more information at (970) 264-2360.
To purchase tickets for either of the ColorFest activities — Passport to Pagosa on Friday night or the Bands and Brews Festival on Saturday afternoon — please visit the Chamber website at www.pagosachamber.com. Scroll down to the ColorFest graphic under Chamber and Community News.
Reserved seating for the Passport to Pagosa is sold out. However, you can still purchase general admission tickets and enjoy all the great food, wine and live music that will be available that night. Don’t miss out on this tasty event! We have new restaurants joining us this year as well as many annual favorites. Buy your tickets now!