Pagosa Springs, Colorado | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Aerial view of west Pagosa Springs | |
 Location of Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County, Colorado. | |
| Coordinates: 37°15′54″N 107°00′30″W / 37.26500°N 107.00833°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  State of Colorado |
| County[1] | Archuleta County Seat |
| Incorporated (town) | March 18, 1891[2] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Home rule municipality[1] |
| • Mayor | Shari Pierce [citation needed] |
| Area | |
• Total | 5.06 sq mi (13.10 km2) |
| • Land | 5.03 sq mi (13.04 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,110 ft (2,170 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 1,571 |
| • Density | 310/sq mi (120/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (Mountain (MST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (MDT) |
| ZIP Codes[6] | 81147, 81157 (PO Box) |
| Area code | 970 |
| FIPS code | 08-56860 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2413099[4] |
| Website | www |
Pagosa Springs (Ute language: Pagwöösa, Navajo language: Tó Sido Háálį́) is a home rule municipality that is the county seat, the most populous community, and the only incorporated municipality in Archuleta County, Colorado, United States.[1][7] The population was 1,571 at the 2020 census.[5] Approximately 65 percent of the land in Archuleta County is either San Juan National Forest, Weminuche and South San Juan wilderness areas, or Southern Ute Indian reservation land.
Pagosa Springs is located approximately 35 miles (56 km) north of the New Mexico border, at 7,126 feet (2,172 m) above sea level on the Western Slope of the Continental Divide. This combination of high desert plateau and the Rocky Mountains to the north and east creates an unusually mild climate, especially in the summer months. Pagosa sees around 300 days of sun each year, as well as four distinct seasons.[8]
The town is located in the upper San Juan Basin, surrounded by the 3-million-acre (4,700 sq mi; 12,000 km2) San Juan National Forest, and adjacent to the largest wilderness area in the state of Colorado, the Weminuche Wilderness.
The town is named for a system of sulfur springs, Pagosa hot springs, located there, which includes the world's deepest geothermal hot spring.[9] The "Mother" spring feeds primitive and developed hot springs located on the upper banks of the San Juan River, which flows through town. The primitive springs are freely accessible to the public, but are generally not for entering or interacting with because of the extreme water temperature. Developed springs feed soaking pools that are hosted by three privately owned soaking locations within town.[10] The water from the "Mother" spring is approximately 144 °F (62 °C).
- ^ a b c "Active Colorado Municipalities". State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2007.
- ^ "Colorado Municipal Incorporations". State of Colorado, Department of Personnel & Administration, Colorado State Archives. December 1, 2004. Archived from the original on August 23, 2003. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Pagosa Springs, Colorado
- ^ a b United States Census Bureau. "Pagosa Springs Town, Colorado". Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "ZIP Code Lookup". United States Postal Service. Archived from the original (JavaScript/HTML) on September 3, 2007. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Pagosa Weather | Pagosa Daily Post News Events & Video for Pagosa Springs Colorado". Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ "Colorado claims deepest geothermal hot spring record | Guinness World Records". September 14, 2011. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Pagosa Springs Harnesses Geothermal Energy for More Than Hot Springs". Visit Pagosa Springs. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.