PAGOSA LAKES NEWSLETTER

PHOTO: BETH TOLLEFSEN

ADMINISTRATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LARS SCHNEIDER

President (2025)

SASHA KING

Vice President (2027)

ERICKA BAILEY

Treasurer (2025)

MONTY WHITMAN

Secretary (2027)

WADE LUNDY

Director (2026)

BEN GARCIA

Director (2026)

ERIC JOHNSON

Director (2026) BOARD

ALLEN ROTH

General Manager

COMMITTEES

ECC COMMITTEE

David Rosandich, Leslie Rosczyk, Eric Christensen & Michael Bailey

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

ADAM BLOCKI Finance

KURT RAYMOND Parks, Trails & Outdoor Recreation

ROGER FLYNN Lakes & Fisheries

DENNY MINGO Recreation

TONI GALLEGOS Community Garden

2025 Annual Meeting & Election

Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association

Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse • 230 Port Ave. • Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Saturday, July 26, 2025 • 9:00 A.M. - Social Hour and Balloting 10:00 A.M. - Annual Meeting Begins

I. Notice and Call

The purpose of the meeting is to elect 2 members to the Board of Directors, vote on a Bylaw change, hear reports from the Board and its standing committees, and consider other business. According to the Bylaws Article V, Section 3, the term of office as a Board Member shall be three years.

II. Ballot Instructions

1. You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., or vote absentee by going online to www.plpoavote.com with your access code that will be sent via email or U.S.P.S. In either case, you must have been a “Member in Good Standing” for inclusion on the voter list certified at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, sixty (60) days prior to the election.

2. Article III, Section 6 of the Association Bylaws states: “The ownership of one or more lots shall entitle that ownership to only two votes, no matter how many lots are in that ownership. For each Time Share Unit interval, (1week) there shall be two votes on behalf of all Owners within such Unit interval. Such Time Share Unit interval votes shall be counted as onefiftieth (1/50) of a regular lot owner. The signature of a Time Share Unit interval Owner in Pagosa Lakes shall be counted as one-fiftieth (1/50) of that of a regular lot Owner for purposes of meeting any petition requirements of these Bylaws, provided that said Owner is in good standing and provided further that in no event shall the cumulative total of signatures of Owners in any Time Share Unit interval be greater than two.

“Voting Privileges - A Member in Good Standing shall have the right to vote at any meeting of the Association. Members of the Board shall be elected by the Association at the annual meeting. The privilege to vote shall be based upon one ownership - two votes, and one Time Share Unit interval - two votes.”

Remember – Each ownership entity receives two votes for each issue posted on the ballot, regardless of the number of properties owned.

IV. Online Elections – voting will be available from 5:00pm Friday, June 27, 2025 through 10:00am Saturday, July 26, 2025

1. PLPOA Property Owners - Email

a. If the Association has your email address on file, your voter access code and instructions will be emailed to you. Emails will be sent on June 25, 2025.

b. If the email sent to you is not delivered, you will receive a voter access post card via U.S.P.S. a few days later.

2. PLPOA Property Owners – U.S.P.S. Mailing

a. If the Association does not have your email address on file, a voter access post card and instructions will be mailed to you via U.S.P.S.

3. Wyndham Timeshare Owners – U.S.P.S. Mailing

a. A voter access post card and instructions will be mailed to you via U.S.P.S.

4. Other Voting options –

a. Paper Ballots - PLPOA Property Owners may request paper ballots by calling the toll-free number on the voter access post card. Have your access code available when you call.

b. Phone Voting – PLPOA Property Owners may vote by phone by calling the toll-free number on the voter access post card. Have your access code available when you call.

c. Voting on Friday, July 25th will be available at the Administration Office from of 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

d. Voting on Saturday, July 26th will be available at the Administration Office from 9:00 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Proposed Bylaw Change – What You Need to Know

This year’s election includes an important question: Should we change our Bylaws? There are two diﬀerent options for changing the same part of the Bylaws—speciﬁcally, Article VIII, Section 1a and 1b. This section deals with how much money the Board can spend on buying property or making major improvements without needing a vote from all members.

Changing the Bylaws requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members who are present or who vote by absentee ballot at the meeting. To save money, we usually wait until the annual meeting to vote on these changes, instead of holding a special meeting, which would cost the Association about $27,000. Below, you’ll see the current wording of Article VIII, Section 1a and 1b, followed by two proposed options for changing it (Option A and Option B). On your ballot, you can:

•

• • Vote No to keep the Bylaws as they are, Vote for Option A, Or vote for Option B

If you leave this question blank on your ballot, it will count the same as a “No” vote (meaning no change). Approval is based on the total number of members who vote, either in person or by absentee ballot.

EXPLANATION ON: Vote No to keep the Bylaws as they are

Existing Bylaw – Article VIII Section 1a and b

ARTICLE VIII

COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITY PROPERTY

SECTION 1. Limitation on Capital Expenditure -

(a) (b) The Association is precluded from the purchase of real property or any capital expenditure in excess of 15% of total equity as determined by the most recent ﬁnancial audit, unless a majority of the Members in Good Standing present a meeting of the Members in which a quorum is present, vote to approve. The Board of Directors may by a vote of a Supermajority of its directors a meeting of the Board where a quorum is present, approve the purchase of real property or any capital expenditure not to exceed 15% of total equity, as determined by the most recent ﬁnancial audit. The limitation set forth in Section 1(a) above shall not apply to a reserve expenditure, a budgeted expenditure or purchase (including one that may have been included in the budget for more than one year in anticipation of the expenditure), or the bidding on or the purchase of real property in any foreclosure action brought by the Association.

What the Current Bylaw Means About Big Purchases and Spending

• The Board cannot spend a large amount of money (more than 15% of the Association’s total equity, based on the latest ﬁnancial audit) on buying property or making major improvements unless a majority of owners at a meeting vote to approve it.

•

The Board can approve spending up to 15% of total equity on these things, but only if a “supermajority” (more than a simple majority) of Board members agree at a Board meeting. This rule does not apply to:

• • Money spent from the reserve fund, Expenses that were already planned for in the annual budget (even if they were planned for several years),

Or if the Association is buying property at a foreclosure sale.

• In short: For big purchases or projects, the Board needs approval from the owners. For smaller or already-budgeted expenses, or reserve spending, the Board can act on its own.

EXPLANATION ON: Vote for Option A

Proposed Change A

The Board of Directors have proposed to amend the Bylaws in accordance with the Bylaws Article VII, Section 1a & d. The proposed amendment is to make a change to Article VIII, Section 1a and b This change further restricts the amount of funds the Board can transfer into the capital fund on yearly basis.

SECTION 1. Limitation on Capital Expenditure -

The Association is precluded from the purchase of real property or any capital expenditure in excess of 15% of total equity as determined by the most recent ﬁnancial audit, unless a majority of the Members in Good Standing present a meeting of the Members in which a quorum is present, vote to approve. The Board of Directors may by a vote of a Supermajority of its directors a meeting of the Board where a quorum is present, approve the purchase of real property or any capital expenditure not to exceed 15% of total equity, as determined by the most recent ﬁnancial audit.

The limitation set forth in Section 1(a) above shall not apply to a reserve expenditure, a budgeted expenditure or purchase (including one that may have been included in the budget for more than one year in anticipation of the expenditure), or the bidding on or the purchase of real property in any foreclosure action brought by the Association.

The Association shall be limited on the amount of funds transferred each year from the operation fund to the capital fund to 12% of the total annual assessment budgeted for the ﬁscal year.

Proposed Change A – What Does It Mean?

This proposed change would add a new rule to our Bylaws that will limit the amount of every lot owner’s annual assessment that can be contributed to the capital fund each year. The capital fund is used for larger projects and improvements.

What Would Change?

•

The Board would only be allowed to transfer up to 12% (current level) of the total annual assessment (the dues collected from all owners for the year) into the capital fund each year.

The current rule about not spending more than 15% of the Association’s total equity on a single project without a member vote would stay the same.

All other rules about reserve spending, budgeted expenses, and foreclosure purchases would also stay the same.

• Why Make This Change?

•

This new limit would help control how much of your annual dues can be set aside for larger projects, which can help keep dues from rising too quickly. Any change to the current limitation is only limiting the size of the project. So, owners would only vote if the size of the project exceeds a certain amount. Meanwhile, a group of projects could be completed exceeding the capital limit expenditure as long as each of them is under the limit expenditure.

Right now, the Board could do several smaller projects in one year, each under the spending limit, but together they could add up to a large amount—without needing a vote from owners.

• For example, the Board could approve four projects at $400,000 each (totaling $1.6 million) without a member vote, as long as each project is under the limit.

By limiting how much can be put into the capital fund each year, the Association would need to plan and save for larger projects over time, rather than moving a lot of money all at once.

The rule that requires a member vote for any single project over 15% of total equity would still apply.

In past ten years, the Association has not spent more than $430,000 on any one project, so there has not been a need for very large projects.

In summary:

Proposed Change A is designed to give owners more control over how much of their dues are set aside for big projects each year, helping to keep dues stable and making sure large projects are planned carefully.

EXPLANATION ON: Vote for Option B

Proposed Change B

The Board of Directors received a proposed Bylaw change by petition from PLPOA members. The petition containing the proposed change and signatures is in accordance with the Bylaws Article VII, Section 1b-e.

SECTION 1. Limitation on Capital Expenditure

(a)

(b) The Association is precluded from the purchase of real property or any capital expenditure in excess of 15% of total equity as determined by the most recent financial audit five-hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00), with an annual increase of the annualized Consumer Price Index (CPI), as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for December of the preceding year, plus one percent (1%), unless a majority of the Members in Good Standing present at a meeting of the Members in which a quorum is present, vote to approve. The Board of Directors may, by a vote of a Supermajority of its directors at a meeting of the Board where a quorum is present, approve the purchase of real property or any capital expenditure not to exceed 15% of total equity, as determined by the most recent financial audit five-hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00), with an annual increase of the annualized Consumer Price Index (CPI), as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for December of the preceding year, plus one percent (1%)

RATIONALE:

•

• Before the Board spends signiﬁcant sums of money on large capital projects, requiring the vote of the Membership will keep the Owners informed and assure the organization is making improvements that are in line with the Owners’ needs and wants.

With the current wording, "15% of total equity as determined by the most recent ﬁnancial audit", the maximum limit that the Board can spend greatly increases each year. The more assets they approve and purchase or build, the higher the total equity rises. So, 15% of a higher number gives them a higher expenditure limit.

•

Example: Under the existing wording in the Bylaws, the Board can spend $998,033 without a vote of the Owners. Had the gymnasium project passed, that limit would have risen to $1,322,033. The proposed wording change would limit the Board's capital expenditure to $500,000 (plus the cost of yearly inﬂation + 1%) without a vote which is a much more reasonable amount.

2025 ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTION

Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association

Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse – 230 Port Ave. Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Saturday, July 26, 2025

9:00 a.m. Social Hour & Balloting 10:00 a.m. Annual Meeting Begins

ANNUAL OWNER APPRECIATION PICNIC

Immediately following the Annual Meeting

MEET THE PLPOA

ERICKA BAILEY

RETIRED ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING DESIGNER

ERICKA BAILEY RETIRED ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING DESIGNER

Ericka, her husband Michael and their pup Chloe Nicole retired to Pagosa Springs 7 years ago, leaving the busy Seattle pace for the wonderful peace of nature. Having worked as an Architectural Lighting Designer, it was a natural fit for her to join the Environmental Control Committee (ECC) where she spent 6 years. Filling a midterm vacancy Ericka joined the PLPOA board of directors in 2023, acting as Treasurer for the last 2 years. Community involvement is a priority, along with her PLPOA duties, Ericka also volunteers as the Company Manager for the Thingamajig Theatre here in Pagosa, and is one half of "Alchemy Laser Light Shows" which have been

offering free shows to the PLPOA residents for 4 summers in a row. Even though she is busy she still finds the time to walk in the forest daily and enjoy the wonders of Pagosa. Those who know Ericka know that she is quite the Disney Fan.

JIM GARRETT ATTORNEY

JIM GARRETT ATTORNEY

Jim Garrett and wife Melanie have been property owners in the PLPOA since 2008, and full-time residents since 2015. They are members of Pagosa Springs Rotary, and Jim has been a member of the Rotary Board since 2019. He has additionally served the community as a member of the Board of the Wings Early Childhood Center since 2020, and as a member of the Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation Board of Directors from 2020 through 2024.

Jim and Melanie are from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was a federal prosecutor for 36 years, after 8 years as a Pennsylvania state prosecutor.

Upon first arriving in Pagosa, Jim was a reporter for the Pagosa Springs Sun for a year and a half, reporting on both the County and the town, as well as on High School Sports.

After enjoying his time with the Sun, Jim returned to the practice of law in 2017. From his office in town, Jim represents a wide variety of Pagosans in matters including business organizations, real estate, wills and estates, construction issues, and criminal prosecutions. He has served the PLPOA community as a panel member hearing residents' appeals from community standards violations.

Jim works in his wood shop in the winter, grows vegetables and plants trees in the summer, reads books daily, and hopes for his body to one day again function well enough to enjoy the privilege of skiing at Wolf Creek.

BOARD CANDIDATES

ALLAN PFISTER

RETIRED

Al has lived in Pagosa Springs on a full-time basis for the past 11 years and has been a property owner within the PLPOA for the past 25 years. Al retired in 2011 after a 31-year career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and US Department of Army as a Fish and Wildlife biologist and Natural Resources Manager. His experience involved working with aquatic and terrestrial plants and wildlife, mainly endangered species, in finding a ”balance of meeting the needs and desires of people and conserving our fish and wildlife resources and their habitat”. Since retirement, Al has been a consultant working primarily on aquatic and terrestrial endangered species issues throughout the western U.S. Al is

currently the Chair, and one of the founding members, of the Upper San Juan Watershed Other boards Al has served on in his time in Pagosa include the San Juan Water Conservancy District (President and Secretary), Southwest Basin Roundtable, Inter-basin Compact Committee, Pagosa Pickleball Club (Vice-President), Weminuche Aububon (President and Board member), and Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership (President and Board member). Al was also the President of the HOA when he lived in Grand Junction, CO. Al is also an Ambassador with Wildfire Adapted Partnership of Archuleta County.

Al enjoys playing pickleball, biking, fishing, hunting, and hiking, skiing and snowshoeing with his wife Kathy. Al’s thought process on applying for the PLPOA Board is that if he doesn’t like how things are going in a certain area, he needs to get more involved to let his voice be heard. The proposed gymnasium and other associated projects were not in the best interest of PLPOA homeowners. The PLPOA should NOT be serving as a community function, it should be serving the desires of the homeowners of the PLPOA. The Board should be more inclusive and transparent with homeowners about how their money is being spent.

PAUL ZEMAN

SETTLEMENT CONSULTANT

Paul is a three-year resident with over two decades of professional experience in financial consulting and structured settlements. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Investments from Baruch College and was born and raised in New York. Since 2008, he has lived in Colorado and has called Pagosa Springs home since 2022. Prior to settling there, he owned multiple properties in both Breckenridge and Denver—none of which were part of an HOA. That experience provided a clear perspective on the unique challenges facing both mountain and urban communities. He firmly believes that solving broader community or societal problems is not the role of POA. Paul feels the Property Owners Association’s sole purpose should be to enhance the quality of life for its members and increase property values.

He is committed to responsible governance, opposing unnecessary spending, and supporting decisions that directly benefit homeowners. His background has instilled a deep respect for fiscal discipline, careful planning, and transparent decision-making — values brought to his involvement in the property owners association. He has consistently advocated against unnecessary spending, including opposing the costly and impractical gymnasium project. Additionally, he played a key role in drafting a proposed bylaws amendment intended to be decided by a clear up-or-down vote. Unfortunately, the board altered the process in a way that diluted homeowner voices and obstructed the supermajority required to pass the change.

He remains committed to preserving the integrity of governance, ensuring residents are genuinely heard, and that the community is managed responsibly and within its means.

PAGOSA LAKES POA

COMMUNITY STANDARDS NEWS - SUMMER 2025

By Chris Simpson

Department of Community Standards Manager

SUMMER IS HERE

The Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association's Department of Community Standards strives for compliance through community engagement, education, outreach, and enforcement procedures. We believe community engagement builds bridges between organizations, departments, and their communities, fostering a shared purpose to create positive change. Responsibility is shared among multiple individuals or departments; instead, everyone works together as "the spokes in the wheel" to build community partnerships. Property owner being the primary focus, along with Archuleta County, Colorado 811, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Colorado Fire Wise Council (Wildfire Resiliency Code), Community Associations Institute, Elite Recycling and Disposal, Habitat for Humanity, International Code Institute

- Colorado Chapter, Make-A-Wish Colorado, Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation, Pagosa Springs Contractors, Pagosa Springs Fire Protection District, Pagosa Springs Land Surveyors, Pagosa Area Water & Sanitation District, Wildfire Adapted Partnership, Archuleta County Program, and Wildfire Partners, Boulder County, to date.

COMMUNITY COMPLIANCE

INVENTORY IS UNDERWAY!

A community map is comprised of four quadrants, each representing geographical areas for this purpose. Quadrant One is Pagosa Highlands, Lake Hatcher, Coyote Cove, and South Shore Estates. Quadrant Two is Martinez Mountain Estates I, Martinez Mountain Estates II, Twin Creek Village, and Lake Pagosa Park. Quadrant Three is Lake Forest Estates, Ranch Community, North Village Lake, South Village Lake, Mallard Point, Eaton Estates, Capstone Village, Lakewood Village, Lakeview Estates, Ridgeview, Village Services, Central Core, Pagosa in the Pines I, and Pagosa in the Pines II. Quadrant Four is Chris Mountain Village, Pagosa Trails, Pagosa Vista, Meadows II, Meadows III, and Meadows IV.

The idea behind the community compliance inspections is to establish a general overview of the over 6,500 properties, the 27 subdivisions, each having its own rules and regulations. These observations are intended not to target a specific property but to establish an accurate inventory and a baseline to determine the approach for implementing compliance strategies. We have begun analyzing the total number of compliant and noncompliant properties and will illustrate these findings using detailed mapping methods. The Department of Community Standards Inspectors will be conducting inspections throughout the community. Please be kind and respectful, and take a moment to greet one another and introduce yourself. Together, we can embody the community's spirit and make a positive difference.

North Pagosa BLVD.

Martinez Mtn. Estates l

Martinez Mtn.

Coyote Cove

South Shore

Estates ll

Lake Forest Estates

Twincreek Village

Meadows lll Meadows ll

Meadows lV

Pagosa In The Pines l

Martinez Hills

Lake Pagosa Park

Capstone

Mallard Point

This summer promises exciting opportunities for learning, exploration, competition, and fun through the PLPOA Recreation Center. There's something for everyone to make the most of the sunny months ahead. Here’s a look at some of the upcoming summer programs and events you can look forward to.

Summer swim lessons are kicking off in June, with more sessions in July and August. Children ages 3 and over can learn to swim with the help of our amazing instructors. With beginner, intermediate, and advanced groups, there are lessons for all levels of swimmers. Each session includes eight classes, where we aim to improve confidence in the water and refine strokes. Spaces for swim lessons fill up quickly, so be sure to register right away!

Indoors or Outdoors, Summer Recreation Awaits for All

Participants of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to join, making it inclusive for families, seniors, and anyone wanting to walk and talk. This group is designed to promote fitness, social engagement, and appreciation for the region’s stunning landscapes. There is no fee or registration for this group, just show up at the designated location. A location list and map are available on the website.

CAMP 911

Our very popular Camp 9-1-1 will be returning on June 4th! This all day program allows children ages 8-12 to see emergency services close up. Along with the sheriff’s office, EMS, fire department, and search and rescue, the health department and LPEA will be joining us this year! Arriving at 9:00 AM sharp will be the Flight For Life helicopter! Hands-on activities allow the children to learn about safety skills and emergency professions in an exciting environment. Registration is open now for this fantastic program.

The Jabberwalkies are back again this summer! The PLPOA brisk walking group will meet every Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM at various scenic locations, including Piedra River Trail and Reservoir Hill Park.

As families gear up for outdoor adventures, the PLPOA is stepping up to ensure children are equipped with essential skills. In June, the Rec Center will host a Kids’ Wilderness and Water Safety Course, geared toward kids ages 4 to 10. This program aims to equip young children with the knowledge and confidence to navigate outdoor adventures responsibly.

The course will cover trail awareness, wildlife precautions, basic first aid, emergency preparedness, and water safety techniques. Using the Hug-A-Tree and Survive program, outdoor education can be fun for even the smallest adventurers.

Kids will gain an understanding of what supplies to put in a pack and how to use them when unexpected situations arise. The program will include an outdoor session and a pool session to practice the newly learned skills.

The PLPOA will be hosting a kids’ learn to fish event at Lake Pagosa in June. Little Anglers, Reel Big Fun will be a great way to get children outside and hooked on fishing. Some of the activities include how to bait a hook and cast, fish identification, catch and release methods, and preserving the aquatic environment. Along with the educational aspect, the event will feature a kids’ fishing derby, with prizes awarded in various categories! Create family memories by taking advantage of the beautiful lakes surrounding our community and let the children cast their lines, with no fishing license necessary during the event.

2005 Hi-tri throwbackscan below to register for 2025

Young athletes aged 7 to 14 can participate in the Super Mini Sprint, which includes a 50m swim, 2k bike ride, and 1k run. Beginning in June, the Rec Center will be offering a triathlon training program for kids to gear up for the PLPOA Give It A Tri. As part of training, the kids will learn transitions, work to improve in each of the three disciplines, and have the opportunity to participate in a short duathlon before the big day.

The PLPOA Give It A Tri - Sprint Triathlon is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 23, promising an exhilarating challenge for athletes of all levels. This annual event, hosted in the heart of the PLPOA, offers multiple race categories, including an Adult Sprint Triathlon featuring a 750m swim, 20k bike ride, and 5k run. Competitors can race individually or as part of a team, making it an inclusive event for both seasoned triathletes and newcomers alike.

Beyond the triathlon race itself, the event is expected to bring a festive atmosphere with booths, music, and fun activities. PLPOA Give It A Tri - Sprint Triathlon is shaping up to be a must-attend event for the community. Whether you're racing for a personal best, simply cheering on the competitors, or vibing to the band, this event is sure to be the best way to bring the summer season to a close.

The PLPOA Recreation Staff is grateful for the opportunity to provide quality programs and experiences for individuals of all ages who use the recreation center. Your continued support enables us to grow and enhance both our programs and our facility as the PLPOA community expands. We’re excited for a great summer ahead and look forward to continuing to work together with the wonderful members of the PLPOA!

Environmental NEWS

Heading into the summer of 2025 we are all hoping to see a strong monsoon pattern develop in July and August. This past winter was certainly disappointing regarding snow and moisture, and we have been hearing from owners who are understandably concerned about the potential for wildfire in our region. The Association has been very active for the past 3 or 4 years implementing some large-scale wildfire fuel reduction work in many of our open space and greenbelt properties. Work included heavy oak brush mastication in understory forests and creating spacing between trees to meet Colorado State Forest Service Standards within these properties. That work will continue this spring and summer where we are working with Wildfire Adapted Partnership (WAP) to implement over 115 acres of mitigation work in 2025, our largest effort to date. We once again qualified for a cost assistance grant through WAP to help us meet our goals, a 50% cash match enabling us to double our efforts. The project scope this year includes heavy oak brush mastication and tree thinning work in Chris Mt II, Tract 4 (34 acres); Tracts B and I, Trails subdivision

BY LARRY D LYNCH

MORE MITIGATION COMING IN 2025

(53 acres); Lake Forest Estates, Tract B (12 acres); and Tracts AA, G and H, Lake Pagosa Park (19 acres). While much of this work will be contracted out, the Department of Property and Environment crew is also working on the greenbelts handling several smaller tracts, hazard tree removals and maintenance.

The Association also provides other programs to assist owners with wildfire fuel reduction work on their properties, including providing a very popular brush collection program and facility where owners can drop off brush and limbs up to 8-inches in diameter to be processed with our large 200 HP Rayco Drum Grinder.

Over the past several years we have seen on average well over 1000 sign-ins and drop-offs each year at the brush collection area. We also work with owners directly to provide quick and easy (and free) tree removal permits anytime trees need to be removed on a property. Keep in mind that trees smaller than 4inches in diameter (at 4-feet height) do not require a permit, nor do oak brush of any diameter or Juniper (Cedar) trees of any diameter. Those trees can be removed at any time without a permit. We have some great information from Colorado State Forest Service about creating defensible space, wildfire resistant construction recommendations and evacuation preparedness on our website under the “Living in PLPOA” tab. Also, check out the Wildfire Adapted Partnership website for information on home ignition zones, free property assessments and cost share programs.

Summer Projects

The Department of Property and Environment will be working on several summer projects at our properties and facilities including dam maintenance projects, landscaping work at the Recreation Center, fencing the maintenance facility perimeter, constructing some new raised planting beds for the community garden at Vista, noxious weed control efforts, trail maintenance projects, mailbox site improvement projects and additional greenbelt work.

We expect another busy season on the lakes this summer. The lakes were heavily stocked this past spring with around 10,000 pounds of trout as well as 4000 each of largemouth bass and black crappie. We also brought in some beautiful brook trout and tiger trout for Hatcher Lake in late April. The fishing was outstanding in April and May, and we anticipate that fishing conditions should be very good extending into the summer. It is our understanding that the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District is planning to implement a sewer system repair near Lake Pagosa this fall, and that the lake will need to be drawn down about 6 feet during this repair work in that September timeframe. We will provide updates as we receive them. The lake is around 26 feet deep near the dam and large portions of the lake are much deeper than 6 feet, but those areas near most of the shoreline will be affected to some degree. Hopefully the repair can be done relatively quickly and if there is some reserve water in upstream Stevens Reservoir the lake could be partially re-charged before winter...

...Water availability could be a challenge this summer

and fall, we learned that the Four-Mile creek diversion that feeds Hatcher and Stevens reservoir was cut off at the end of April and snow water equivalent snowpack in the high country is well below normal due to the unusually dry winter.

CANDIDATES FORUM

6pm I Thursday I June 26, 2025

230 Port Ave

In Person and zoom attendance options ANNUAL

MEETING

Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse @ 230 Port Ave

Saturday, July 26, 2025

9:00 A.M. - Social Hour and Balloting

10:00 A.M. - Annual Meeting Begins OWNER APPRECIATION PICNIC

230 Port Ave - Vista Lake Park, July 26,

2025 - directly following annual meeting

PLPOA HI-TRI TRIATHLON & END OF SUMMER BASH

SAVE THE DATE: August 23, 2025

Pagosa Lakes Recreation Center 45 Eagles Loft Cir.

FALL FLEA MARKET

Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse @ 230 Port Ave

Saturday, Sept 20, 2025

8 am - 1pm

HOLIDAY MARKET

Vendor Market Nov 1 & 2 2025 st nd OTHER HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Scan QR code above for Lifestyle happenings

Pagosa

The Importance of Community in a Property Owners Association

A community is more than just a collection of homes or properties—it is a network of people who share common interests, values, and goals. In a property owners association (POA), the sense of community is especially important, as it fosters cooperation, enhances quality of life, and helps maintain property values.

At its core, a community is built on relationships. Neighbors who know and support each other are more likely to work together to address challenges, help one another, celebrate successes, and create a welcoming environment. This spirit of collaboration is essential in a POA, where decisions about shared spaces, amenities, and rules affect everyone.

Active participation is key to a thriving community. When residents attend meetings, volunteer for committees, or simply engage in friendly conversation, they contribute to a positive atmosphere. This involvement ensures that diverse perspectives are heard and that the association’s actions reflect the needs and desires of all its members and not just certain segments. However, participation strictly in social media can cause the rapid spread of misinformation. Posts and comments can quickly circulate rumors or inaccurate details about association policies, board decisions, or community events. This can lead to confusion, unnecessary panic, or even conflict among residents, jeopardizing the community.

A strong community provides a sense of security and belonging. Residents who feel connected are more likely to look out for one another, report concerns, and take pride in their neighborhood. This collective responsibility helps keep the community safe, attractive, and enjoyable for all. In summary, community is the foundation of a successful property owners association. By building relationships, encouraging participation, and fostering a sense of belonging, residents can create a place where everyone feels at home.

We’ve made some changes to our pine needle pick-up service, to make things easier for you, Here’s what you need to know:

WE’RE COMPOSTING !!!

Vendor: Table to Farm

Pick-Up Timing: There is no set pick-up day. After you sign up, your bags will be picked up within 10 days.

Bag Allowance: Each property gets 20 free bag pick-ups per year (not per pick-up).

Need more? No problem! Additional bags are just $4 each.

Bag Requirements: Only paper bags are accepted for pick-up

You can buy paper bags at Terry’s Ace Hardware or order them online for in-store pickup.

Email: info@tabletofarmcompost.com

Schedule your pick up at: tabletofarmcompost.com