This message from Pagosa Springs Mayor Shari Pierce appeared on the Town website on December 11, 2025.
In 2025, the collective efforts of our Council, staff, boards, and community helped advance a wide range of priorities, including:
- Successfully encouraging local voters to pass a one-cent sales tax increase to address the failing sanitation infrastructure. This is an important step for our businesses, schools, government agencies, and residents toward a successful future with a functioning sanitation system.
- Working in conjunction with our regional partners and citizens, we have successfully navigated two historic floods with no fatalities or injuries. We continue to work together to seek grant funding for repairs and repair infrastructure.
- Expanding access to affordable housing through fee waivers and strong partnerships with local organizations.
- Supporting the health and wellness of our residents by maintaining clean and safe parks, offering recreation programming, and planning for our community’s future through strategic land acquisitions and grant opportunities.
- Enhancing public safety through the work of our Police Department and the continued maintenance and improvement of our roads and sanitation systems.
- Strengthening economic development by partnering with and supporting the Community Development Corporation, the Main Street program, and the Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board.
- Ensuring the day-to-day operations of our Town government run smoothly to provide essential services to our community.
These accomplishments represent just a portion of the important initiatives undertaken over the past year. As we come to the close of another wonderful year and another season filled with holidays and celebrations, I would like to extend my gratitude to the many people who work to make Pagosa Springs and the surrounding area special.
The members of our town council — Mayor Pro Tem Matt DeGuise, Madeline Bergon, Mat deGraaf, Brooks Lindner, Leonard Martinez, and Gary Williams — work to guide the direction of the Town through planning and decision-making. The staff of our Town works under the guidance of our Town Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the town and carry out the plans of the Town Council.
Our advisory boards and commissions provide input to the Town Council and staff regarding their areas of interest and assignments.
Residents of our town and citizens of the surrounding area provide input on our various projects and assist with events.
With the care and effort of all of these people, we continue to keep Pagosa Springs an amazing place to live.
As we move into the new year, be kind, understanding, and caring to those around you. Strive to build relationships and work to better our community for yourself, your family, our struggling members, and our youth.
With gratitude,
Mayor Shari Pierce