By Judy Patton
Following a recent community meeting about First Amendment Rights, it became clear that people across Pagosa Springs share something important: a desire to keep our community safe, respectful, and grounded in our shared values, especially during times of heightened tension.
That’s why PIRAC – Proponents of Immigrant Rights in Archuleta County — is sponsoring a free, community-wide de-escalation training, open to everyone. This training is for liberals and conservatives, people of faith, civic leaders, activists, and neighbors who may disagree deeply on issues — but who agree that violence, harassment, and fear should never define our public spaces.
The training is called Conflict De-Escalation in Protest Spaces, and it will take place Wednesday, March 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM Mountain Time, virtually, and at no cost. The session is led by Right To Be, a nationally respected organization with years of experience teaching practical, effective tools for de-escalating conflict before it turns into harm.
During this interactive 60-minute training, participants will learn how to:
- Recognize early warning signs of conflict using the pyramid of escalation
- Assess when—and when not—to intervene, with safety as the top priority
- Apply the Observe, Breathe, Connect framework to reduce tension in real time
- Respond to harassment or hostility in ways that protect everyone’s dignity
This is not about telling people what to believe. It’s not about silencing speech. And it’s not about choosing sides.
This training is about skills that help people disagree without dehumanizing each other, gather without fear, and show up in public spaces without situations spiraling out of control.
Register here for this free training.
Conflict de-escalation requires patience, awareness, and a commitment to seeing the humanity in others—even when we strongly disagree. These are skills that strengthen not only community and protest spaces, but school events, faith gatherings, town meetings, and everyday interactions across Archuleta County.
This training is free and open to all, and we encourage you to attend — and to share it widely. Invite your friends, neighbors, and groups across the spectrum.
In this moment, choosing preparation over fear, and skills over escalation, is one way we can do our part to keep everyone in Pagosa Springs safe.
Thank you!