In the wake of the historic flooding in Archuleta County, we have been reminded of something that makes our community special: the willingness of neighbors, organizations, churches, businesses, and volunteers to come together, share resources, and support one another when it matters most.
Recovery is not something any one organization or agency can accomplish alone. It takes collaboration, communication, and a shared commitment to making sure no one is left behind. Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed this spirit of cooperation in many ways, from helping families access food and other resources to neighbors working together to restore community spaces damaged by the floods.
Healthy Archuleta has been working alongside Town and County emergency and recovery teams, local food pantries, and community volunteers to help maintain access to food and connect residents with available resources. At the Disaster Assistance Center, volunteers have been sharing information about local food pantries and helping residents learn where they can turn for assistance.
Behind the scenes, Food Pantry Network partners have been identifying emerging needs, sharing resources, and coordinating food assistance during flood recovery. Healthy Archuleta has supported these efforts by distributing gift cards to local pantries so patrons can purchase food and coordinating the distribution of pallets of donated food to meet community needs. This work demonstrates the value of relationships and partnerships built over time, which become even more important during a crisis.
The flooding has also disrupted other efforts to support community health and well-being. We were deeply disappointed to cancel this year’s Archuleta Health Fair & Expo due to the initial flooding, knowing how many residents look forward to accessing health information, screenings, and other resources through this annual event. With the additional flooding and ongoing recovery efforts, the Health Department has had to postpone the planned laboratory services until after Thanksgiving. We are grateful for their continued partnership and commitment to making these services available as circumstances allow. Meanwhile, Healthy Archuleta is exploring other ways to connect residents with health resources and services that would have been available through the Health Fair.
This spirit of cooperation was especially visible in efforts to restore the Pagosa Springs Community Garden following recent flood damage. At our Growers and Producers Forum on November 5, community members gathered to discuss the garden’s future and explore how it might be rebuilt to better coexist with the river. During the meeting, representatives from GGP graciously offered to include the garden in an upcoming community cleanup day they had organized, a wonderful example of neighbors helping neighbors.
Just two days later, on Saturday, November 7, many community members turned out to participate in the GGP-organized cleanup efforts. The positive energy and shared determination to help restore our community’s growing spaces were evident as neighbors of all ages came together to lend a hand. What began as a conversation about the garden’s future quickly turned into hands-on action, reflecting the generosity, enthusiasm, and collective spirit of a community eager to rebuild.
Beyond this effort, this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting local growers, restoring spaces for food production, and sustaining community gardening for years to come. Plans for the garden’s next chapter are being explored with the Town, the garden coordinator, longtime gardeners, and other community members. The hope is to create a garden that can thrive alongside the river in greater harmony with the natural environment while continuing to contribute to our local food system.
As we rebuild, we also have an opportunity to involve our young people in meaningful ways. Recovery is about more than restoring buildings, gardens, and community spaces. It is also about strengthening connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and helping people of all ages feel they have a role in shaping our community’s future. Inviting youth to participate, listening to their ideas, and supporting their emotional well-being are important parts of that process.
We are deeply grateful to the volunteers staffing the Disaster Assistance Center, those who helped with garden efforts, the food pantries and their dedicated volunteers, and the many individuals, churches, businesses, agencies, and organizations working quietly behind the scenes. Some are donating food and supplies, others are offering financial support, and many are simply showing up wherever an extra pair of hands is needed. Every contribution matters.
As recovery continues, we encourage everyone to consider how they might contribute, whether by volunteering a few hours, sharing an idea, making a donation, connecting someone with resources, or checking on a neighbor who may need support. We also encourage organizations, churches, neighborhood groups, and others coordinating recovery activities to share what they are doing and where additional help is needed. By staying connected and sharing resources, we can make the most of our collective strengths and reach more people.
Healthy Archuleta relies on a dedicated network of volunteers and strong community partnerships. We welcome individuals and groups interested in volunteering, sharing ideas, providing resources, or making donations to support ongoing recovery efforts. To learn how you can get involved, please contact us at fsfearchuleta@gmail.com or visit https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org.
Rebuilding will take time, and our community’s needs will continue to evolve. Whether ensuring access to food, connecting residents with health services, restoring community spaces, or creating opportunities for young people to participate, each effort is part of a larger commitment to caring for one another. The kindness, generosity, and cooperation we are witnessing remind us that our greatest strength lies in our relationships and willingness to work together. Through these shared efforts, we have an opportunity not only to recover from these historic floods, but to build an even stronger, healthier, more connected, and more resilient Archuleta County.
Vanessa Skean writes for Healthy Archuleta and foodcoalition4archuleta.org