The Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District is advancing three major sewer projects while continuing normal maintenance and operations.
Planning for a new Wastewater Treatment Facility is moving forward. The District expects to issue a Request for Qualifications by the end of the month for an Owner’s Representative to help oversee the project through design and construction.
Work also continues at Pump Stations 1 and 2, including new pumps, electrical and communication systems, re-lining the holding tank at Pump Station 2, and purchasing new surge tanks.
The McCabe Creek project is nearing completion, with a final sewer line replacement planned between North 7th and North 8th streets. That work is expected to reduce creek water and runoff entering the system, lowering the amount of unnecessary flow that must be transported to the PAWSD Vista Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Hill Top Cemetery Maintenance and Decoration Updates
The Town has completed the first of three phases of tree thinning at Hill Top Cemetery. Crews are also raking pine needles, and a final mow is planned within the next month.
The Town recently updated cemetery rules to clarify gravesite decorations. Decorations must remain within 12 inches in front of the headstone, with no more than four decorative items per gravesite; flowers do not count toward the limit.
Families are encouraged to review gravesite decorations before the May 2027 Cemetery Clean-Up, when items outside the designated area will be removed.
Meet the Team: Darren Lewis
This month, we’re highlighting Darren Lewis, the Town of Pagosa Springs Parks and Recreation Director.
Darren has worked for the Town for 15 years and oversees the Town’s parks, adult and youth recreation programs, and the Community Center.
For Darren, the most rewarding part of his work is seeing how Parks and Recreation directly contributes to the quality of life in Pagosa Springs. “What I enjoy most about being the Parks and Recreation Director is knowing that the work we do has a direct impact on the quality of life in Pagosa Springs,” he said. “I enjoy seeing a project go from an idea or a community need to something that people can actually use and enjoy.”
Darren is especially proud of the KIDS Camp summer program, which has run for 11 years, as well as the continued development of Yamaguchi Park. He also enjoys seeing the community come together each summer during the Town’s ComFest concert series.
He hopes residents understand that Parks and Recreation involves much more than maintaining parks and running programs. The department also handles planning, budgeting, grant writing, events, trails, and facility maintenance, project management, and coordination with community partners. “Our staff genuinely care about this community,” Darren said. “We may not be able to accomplish everything at once, but we are constantly working to improve our parks, recreation opportunities, trails, and open spaces and make Pagosa Springs a better place for everyone.”
Outside of work, Darren enjoys spending time with his family, especially his five children and four grandchildren, riding his motorcycle, being outdoors, and taking trips to the lake with his wife.
Thank you, Darren, for 15 years of service to the Town and the Pagosa Springs community.