To the Gas Station Owners and Managers in Pagosa Springs:
This letter is to inform you that we have formed a citizens group here in Pagosa Springs named ‘Citizens for Fair Fuel Pricing’. The core group is comprised of 14 individuals, and we have over 200 others in support of this initiative based on daily postings on Nextdoor social media or who have signed a petition.
Our objective is to work with you to establish fair prices for our citizens and businesses. We are appealing to you to explain why Pagosa gas prices are where they are, as well as steps which can be taken to reduce fuel prices. You are invited to a meeting at the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library located at 811 San Juan St in Pagosa Springs on January 18 from noon to 1pm. Those in attendance will be local citizens, county commissioners and media representatives.
I will also be e-mailing you an invite with Zoom information.
During the past two years, fuel prices have been inflated here. For example, in the last several months, while fuel prices have dropped considerably elsewhere, we have noticed that regular unleaded gasoline prices remained well above $4 per gallon until about 3 weeks ago. Fuel prices 30 miles away in Bayfield generally range from 14% to 17% less (54 cents – 69 cents per gallon less). That means a typical Pagosa family is spending an extra $9.21 each time they fill their tank.
The inflated fuel prices have several impacts.
Per data received from the Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation (PSCDC), the percentage of Archuleta County households living at or below the poverty line, as of the 2020 census, was 8.3% and it is highly unlikely that this has been reduced. Monies spent on overpriced fuel could go towards other needs, especially for this group.
Based on PSCDC data, in 2021, the total number of households in Archuleta County were 5,987. Assuming that each of those 5,987 households own one car (and many own more than one) multiplying that number times $9.21 per tank = $55,140 extra per month spent by our community… which totals $661,683 per year.
Higher gas costs impact businesses (and drive-up consumer prices) especially related to those who deliver goods, snow plow operators, home health care providers and likely more.
For folks who travel to Bayfield or Durango, most are filling up there. This has two significant impacts:
Fuel related tax revenues that would be paid to Archuleta County are being reaped by La Plata County.
Business is being taken away from Pagosa Springs local gas stations in the form of both fuel sales and other miscellaneous sales (such as, Coffee, snacks, etc.)
We hope to publish this letter in area media outlets (letter to the editor) and will continue to publish updates via social media as new information becomes available. Additionally, we are encouraging citizens to file complaints with the Colorado Attorney General.
File a Complaint – Colorado Attorney General | Colorado Attorney General
We are looking forward to a transparent and thoughtful discussion on January 18.
Sincerely,
Citizens for Fair Fuel Pricing
Jane Davison
Archuleta County
citizensforfairfuleprices@gmail.com