8/25/2025
Parks and Trails Committee Meeting
The Parks, Trails and Outdoor Recreation Committee will be meeting Tuesday, August 26th at 3 pm at the administration office to discuss the newly adopted parks and trails plan and make recommendations to the board concerning long range planning.
Protecting Our Shorelines is Protecting Your Property
Our five beautiful lakes are here for all of us to enjoy — but they need care and consideration to stay healthy. Protecting the shoreline is everyone’s responsibility. Something as simple as leaving behind trash or debris can harm wildlife and damage the environment. A good rule to follow is: whatever you bring in, you take back out.
For homeowners, shoreline care goes beyond cleaning up. Natural erosion, storms, and water activity can all damage shorelines, which in turn affects your property. While some repair and maintenance work is allowed, it’s important to know what requires approval and what does not. Many routine shoreline maintenance projects only need a staff approval permit, which is free. Larger projects, such as fencing or building at the high-water line, fall under the Project Permit Process (P.P.P.) 5.1 Shoreline Improvement Permits. This process exists to make sure repairs are safe, effective, and environmentally responsible. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to call — we’re always happy to explain what’s required.
The photos provided show the effects of shorelines that were not properly maintained. Without care, erosion can cause property loss and disrupt the lake’s ecosystem. Healthy shorelines, on the other hand, support vegetation that is vital for fish, birds, and other water-loving creatures. This vegetation stabilizes the land, provides food and shelter for wildlife, and keeps our lakes enjoyable for fishing, boating, and water sports year after year.
By caring for our shorelines, we not only protect the environment but also preserve the beauty, property value, and recreational opportunities that make our lakes so special.
BEARS ARE ON THE PROWL
Fall is approaching and the bears are out looking to fatten up. The dry conditions are making it more difficult for bears to find food. Bear sightings are becoming more numerous in neighborhoods. So, it is now important to take the necessary steps and habits to prevent bear conflicts. See the list below to prevent bears from becoming a nuisance and a danger.
- Secure your garbage. Use a bear-proof container and keep it locked.
- Clean your garbage cans regularly with ammonia or bleach cleaner
- Remove bird feeders or hang them a minimum of 10ft. high off the ground or anything bears can climb. Secure birdseed in airtight containers inside your home.
- Burn off food and clean up grease on the barbeque grill after each use.
- Do not leave pet food outside. Secure inside your home.
- Never feed or approach bears.
- Never compost meat, fish, oil, grease or dairy products
Lakes Update – August 18, 2025
The current drought has certainly put a strain on water resources this summer, water restrictions are in place through the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) and local rivers and streams are matching all-time low-level markers for August. The water quality in the lakes has been fair the past few weeks with minor algae issues occurring and lake levels are dropping in a couple of the lakes for several reasons.
Hatcher Lake is currently down about 42 inches from spill elevation due to high water demand in the community this summer. A significant portion of our domestic water supply comes from Hatcher Lake and the water treatment plant on the west side of the lake continues to work hard providing treated domestic water for the area. It will most likely continue to drop as we head into the early fall unless we get some sort of big break with monsoon moisture.
Lake Pagosa is also dropping and is currently about 18 inches down in an effort to assist with an important sewer line repair on the northeast side of the lake. It is anticipated that the lake will need to continue to be drawn down to somewhere between 4 to 6 feet in the coming weeks. If it is determined that a 4 foot draw-down is sufficient to de-water the repair area we may get lucky and that would take care of it. But, we should prepare for the possibility of up to 6-foot draw down. It is anticipated that when the sewer line repair is completed the PAWSD will begin re-filling the lake via Stevens Lake situated up above (Stevens Lake currently down about 40 inches but still contains a substantial amount of water). Hopefully the repair can take place in early to mid-September and the re-fill process can begin in early October.
The PAWSD is also allowing Village Lake to drop a foot or two to be able to handle the anticipated water from Lake Pagosa to be stored in it. The lower three lakes, Lake Pagosa, Village Lake and Lake Forest are all connected in a common daisy-chain water system where water passes through each into the next. Village Lake is the primary water source for raw water irrigation systems in the core area including the golf course.
We are planning to re-locate some of the floating docks in the coming days to prepare for low-lake level conditions. We will be removing the dock near the dam at Hatcher Lake and storing it in deeper water out of commission for the time being and the floating dock at the west boat ramp has been removed to keep it out of the muck. The floating dock at Lake Pagosa may also be temporarily removed as water levels drop to keep it from being damaged on the rocks along the dam. The smaller floating dock at the Lake Pagosa boat ramp may also be removed temporarily.
Night Sky
The night sky belongs to all of us. We get the fantastic opportunity to enjoy it more than many places. Not only does the night sky offer stars and constellations, but it also navigates most species of migratory birds. It is our responsibility to ensure that we are following the basic policies, not just for the animals but also for our neighbors. Taking a quick peek at the Project Permit Process (PPP) will provide all of the information you will need to understand the lighting policy better. As always, these policies are available to everyone on our website. These are just a few examples of the requirements.
3.1.16.1 General Requirements – All exterior lights (new or replacement fixtures) shall be fully shielded, including motion detection security, walkway, building entry, architectural, landscape, parking, flag, and all other exterior lighting. Bulbs or light sources that are visible from the street or adjacent properties are not allowed because the fixture is not fully shielded.
3.1.16.1.1 Light trespass to adjacent properties is not allowed—maximum light level of one-half (0.5) foot-candle at any property line. Additionally, bulb or light sources shall not be visible when viewed from 5 feet high at the property line.
3.1.16.1.2 Decorative lighting for landscape or structures shall not be faced upward and must be fully shielded.
3.1.16.1.3 No transparent or translucent diffusers allowed on the sides, front, top, or below the light fixture, including amber or other colors. 3-8 Revision 68 Effective date 12/09/24
3.1.16.1.4 Light Fixtures equipped with motion detector devices shall not stay illuminated for longer than 5 minutes and shall be fully shielded.
3.1.16.1.5 Lighting attached to a single-family home or installed on a residential lot shall not exceed the height of the eaves or 12 feet, whichever is less.
2025 PLPOA FALL Flea Market
SATURDAY, Sept 20, 2025 8am-1pm
- Rules & Regulations
- PLPOA Members are allowed to be vendors – NO Artisan market on this date
- All booths are first come – first served.
- All stand fees are non-refundable – to be day of but will be put on your PLPOA account on day of sign up.
- Flea Market Booths: garage/yard sale type items for sale
- Flea market INSIDE BOOTHS are for PLPOA owners only and include 200 sq ft space and 1 – 6ft tables, you can add personal tables to your space that is just what we provide.
- Flea Market OUTSIDE Space are for PLPOA owners and are 2-parking spaces in size. Outside spaces do not include PLPOA provided tables
- Inside Vendor set-up is Friday, Sept 19, 2025 noon-5pm or Sept 20th from 6:30am-8am Outside vendors set-up is Saturday morning with set up complete by 8am.
- Market hours are Saturday 8am-1pm
- Booth Fee: Inside – $20 ——– Outside – $10
- Spaces can be reserved by filling out the form below.
- All unsold items must be taken home with the booth holder – the thrift stores are over flowing and not able to pick up.
- Inappropriate behavior or actions by booth holders will not be tolerated. Vendor will be asked to leave immediately.
REC CENTER PROGRAMS PAGE:
Click the image below to be redirected to the latest recreation offerings:
Water Consumption Restrictions – Drought Stage 2 (8/6/25)
At the 7/31/2025 Special Board Meeting the PAWSD Board of Directors voted unanimously to enter Drought Stage 2 per the PAWSD Drought Management Plan. The goal of Drought Stage 2 is to reduce water consumption throughout the District by 20 to 30%. This requires the following limitations to irrigation:
- Irrigation limited to 6 PM to 9 AM.
- Odd/Even watering days based on address (if your address is an odd number water only on odd numbered calendar days and vice-versa for even numbered addresses).
- Irrigation is only permitted Monday through Friday. Weekend watering is prohibited.
- Gardens (edible and ornamental) may be hand watered using a hose or drip irrigation.
- Restaurants shall serve water only upon the request of customers.
- Hotels are encouraged to replace towels and bed linens for new gusts and at the request of existing guests.
- A water rate adjustment of 2 times the standard tier rate is in effect for residential usage of more than 4,000 gallons a month. (there is no tier-rate adjustment or surcharge for commercial users or residential flows under 4,000 gallons per month).
Non-compliance of the drought stage requirements can result in fines up to $500.
For additional information on the Drought Management Plan please review the 2020 Drought Management Plan located on the PAWSD website.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Greenbelt Thinning Operations Progressing (8/6/25)
The Association contractors are progressing well in the several large greenbelt tracts in the community. Completed tracts include the large greenbelt properties in Chris Mt II, and Trails/Vista where wildfire fuel reduction work is occurring utilizing Colorado State Forest Service standards for Zone and Zone 3. Contractors have now moved into a couple of medium sized greenbelt tracts in Lake Forest Estates and Lake Pagosa Park. Underbrush is being removed by hand or with mastication equipment and in certain areas Ponderosa Pines are being thinned and removed to create improved spacing.
There are some new firewood log stashes in the community that are available to owners for firewood. One large stash is located at the end of Gary Place which is off Monument Blvd. At this location a significant number of 8-foot-long logs (approx. 8-10 inch diameter) are cut and stacked and ready for pickup. It most likely will require 2 people to handle these logs, please no chainsaws, just take the logs as they are and cut them up at home.
A second log stash is located on Dutton Drive about halfway down on the south side of the road.
Change to Monthly Board Meeting Schedule
Beginning in August, PLPOA Monthly Board Meetings will now be held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM.
The new schedule is as follows:
PLPOA Monthly Board Meetings
🗓 Every 2nd Tuesday of the month
🕕 6:00 PM – Open Board Meeting
🕠 5:30 PM – Executive Session (preceding the public meeting)
📍 Vista Conference Room, 230 Port Ave
Next Meeting:
📅 Tuesday, August 12th at 6:00 PM
Close Forest Gates
PLPOA borders 7 miles of National Forest. Along this border, the Association maintains a fence to keep cows from entering the community and destroying owner’s yards. The Forest Service issues permits each year for ranchers to graze their cattle in the forest. This normally begins in early to mid-June. There are designated gates and parking areas for PLPOA owners to use to access the forest trails. We ask our owners to please remember to close and secure the gates when using them, so the cows do not get out.
REC CENTER HAPPENINGS
