On Tuesday evening, the Archuleta School District Board of Education — Bob Lynch, Tim Taylor, Amanda Schick, David Iverson and Butch Mackey — heard a lengthy presentation from local non-profit Build Pagosa about plans to construct a new CTE (Career and Technical Education) building adjacent to the Pagosa Springs High School at the south end of downtown. Build Pagosa has been fundraising for this project since 2017, and executive director Will Ridlehoover told the School Board that $4.5 million has been raised thus far, towards a construction cost of perhaps $6 million. Build Pagosa hopes to break ground on the project next summer.
I’ll be writing about this education project in an upcoming editorial.
Like all the school buildings in downtown Pagosa, this future education building would rely on the Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District (PSSGID) sewer system, which has been struggling financially for the past decade. Since I moved into downtown Pagosa in 1993, the monthly sewer bill for a residential home has increased from $8 to $71, with an increase to $76 scheduled for 2026.
I have no idea how much the School District pays for sewer service.
Following the Build Pagosa presentation, the School Board considered a resolution in support of Ballot Measure 2A, placed on the November ballot by the Pagosa Springs Town Council. If approved by town voters, 2A will create a new 1% municipal sales to be collected within the town limits.
Ballots were mailed out last Friday.
From the School District resolution:
A Resolution in Support of Ballot Measure 2A: Investing in Critical Sewer Infrastructure for a Resilient Community
WHEREAS, the long-term viability of our schools is directly linked to the strength of our towns infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Pagosa Springs School District is committed to fostering a safe, healthy, and thriving learning environment for all students, educators, and families; and
WHEREAS, Ballot Measure 2A proposes a targeted investment in essential sewer infrastructure to address aging systems, support responsible growth, and protect public health and environmental quality; and
WHEREAS, Measure 2A reflects a fiscally responsible approach to infrastructure planning, with clear accountability provisions and community oversight; and
WHEREAS, the School District recognizes that strong infrastructure supports not only education but also housing, workforce stability, and economic development, key pillars of a vibrant community;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Archuleta County School District Board of Education formally endorses Ballot Measure 2A.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board directs the Superintendent to share this resolution with local stakeholders supporting the importance of Measure 2A.
This resolution could be seen as augmentation for a similar resolution approved by the Town Council earlier this month, also urging the passage of Measure 2A.
Disclosure: I am a volunteer member of a political committee formed to encourage the passage of Ballot Measure 2A. You can view information posted by our committee on Pagosa-Sewer-Solutions.com
The case can be made for opposing 2A.
Sales tax is one of the more regressive types of taxation, generally putting a proportionally heavier burden on the poorest families. But we can hardly imagine any form of taxation that doesn’t put a proportionally heavier burden on the poorest families. The least regressive tax is probably a graduated income tax, but towns and counties in Colorado are prohibited from levying an income tax, as I understand it.
The Town’s financial advisors have estimated that a 1% sales tax will add $15-$20 more per month to an average family’s grocery costs, assuming the family spends around $2,000 a month on food.
The flip side of that argument being: if 2A does not pass, the Town might have to increase each family’s sewer bill, and each business’ sewer bill, and each downtown school’s sewer bill. One estimate from the Town put the future sewer bill for a residential property at over $200 a month, if 2A fails at the polls.
Most of the homes and businesses in Archuleta County are located uptown, and are served by the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) sewer system. Those monthly bills have also seen recent increases — the residential bill is currently $47 a month, and is expected to continue to increase. PAWSD has also struggled with sewer pipeline and lift station issues, but 2A will not provide any direct financial assistance for PAWSD.
The bottom line for 2A: it’s a sales tax that will be paid by all residents and visitors that will not directly benefit all residents and visitors. But it can address a serious deferred maintenance problem in a way that won’t bankrupt our downtown families and businesses and schools.