6/6/2025
PAGOSA LAKES Board of Directors Monthly MEETING
ALWAYS On the second Thursday of every month at 6pm – June 12th
This will Directly follow the 4:30pm Executive Session
IN THE VISTA CONFERENCE ROOM AT 230 PORT AVE
TO ATTEND VIA ZOOM:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86500470184
Limited Amount of Free Firewood Available
The Association contractors working on greenbelt thinning operations have stockpiled a limited amount of free firewood logs at the first of several locations coming this summer. The Ponderosa Pine logs are located near Martin Court and Trails Blvd. The firewood is available for PLPOA owners and is free of charge. No chainsaws please, the lengths are cut into manageable size. Announcements about additional firewood stashes will be made as the contractor’s progress through several subdivision greenbelt properties this summer and early fall.
BEARS ARE ON THE PROWL
Spring has arrived and the bears are out looking to fatten-up from their winter hibernation. 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
Be a Good Neighbor
We all can get along. The key is communication. It’s often the best way to prevent and resolve conflict before it reaches the legal system. You don’t have to be friends or spend time together to achieve a peaceful coexistence, but you should try to be a good neighbor and follow these tips:
Say hello. At the mailbox, while walking the dog or when you see a moving van arrive, introduce yourself. Learn your neighbors’ names and regularly offer a friendly greeting.
Provide a heads up. If you’re planning a construction project, altering your landscaping or hosting a big party, contact your neighbors beforehand.
Do unto others. Treat neighbors as you would like to be treated. Be considerate about noise from vehicles, stereos, pets, etc.
Know your differences. Try to understand each other. Differences in age, ethnic background and years in the neighborhood can lead to different expectations or misunderstandings.
Consider the view. Keep areas of your property that others can see presentable.
Appreciate them. If the neighbors do something you like, let them know. They’ll be pleased you noticed, and it’ll be easier to talk later if they do something you don’t like.
Stay positive. Most people don’t try to create problems. If a neighbor does something that irritates you, don’t assume it was deliberate.
Talk honestly. Tolerance is important, but don’t let real irritation go because it seems unimportant or hard to discuss. Let your neighbors know if something they do annoys you.
Be respectful. Talk directly to your neighbors if there’s a problem. Gossiping with others can damage relationships and create trouble.
Remain calm. If a neighbor mentions a problem they have with you, thank them for the input. You don’t have to agree or justify any behavior. Wait for any anger to subside before responding.
Listen carefully. When discussing a problem, try to understand your neighbor’s position and why he or she feels that way.
Take your time. Take a break to think about what you and your neighbor have discussed. Arrange to finish the conversation at another time.
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.
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
NEWSLETTER WITH NOTICE & CALL OF ANNUAL MEETING
The Summer Newsletter will begin distribution next week to all PLPOA owners. This publication contains the Notice and Call for the Annual Meeting announcing the date of July 26 along with times and location. The newsletter contains bios of the four Board of Director candidates seeking one of the two open positions. Owners will be provided information regarding three options to choose from to vote on a proposed change to the Bylaws. You will also be given instructions on how to vote for the candidates and the bylaw change. Be sure to read the newsletter to see articles from each department within PLPOA.
Also, there will be a Candidate’s Forum on June 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Administration Conference room. This is an opportunity for owners to meet the candidates running for the board and ask them questions.
Lawn Maintenance
We ask all PLPOA residents to assist in keeping our neighborhoods looking great by cutting the grass around your home and especially the tall weeds close to the house. This maintains a nice appearance and keeps the home values in our community high. Thank you.
Greenbelt Fire Mitigation Work Coming Soon
The Association has hired contractors to begin wildfire fuel reduction work in several larger greenbelts this spring and summer. Work may continue into late September. Over the past 4 years the Association has thinned multiple greenbelt properties in Twincreek Village, Highland Estates, Lake Forest Estates and Martinez Mountain Estates. The work typically entails masticating understory oak brush and thinning pine trees to create appropriate crown separation according to Colorado State Forest Service standards for zones 2 and 3. We once again qualified for a Wildfire Adapted Partnership 50% cost share grant enabling us to double the work this year of improving the safety and forest health of these important open space properties.
Work this spring and summer will include over 115 acres of mitigation work in six larger greenbelt tracts in Chris Mountain II, Trails/Vista subdivisions, Lake Pagosa Park and Lake Forest Estates. Near Chris Mountain II contractors will be working in the large westerly greenbelt tract that runs along the canyon rim and back into the private lots near Trails Blvd, High Drive and Travelers Circle. In Trails/Vista contractors will be thinning the large hillside greenbelt that is between Trails Blvd, Bonanza and back up to the areas below Canyon Circle. In Lake Forest Estates the work will include thinning a meandering greenbelt property that is situated between Antelope Ave and Dutton Drive extending up to North Pagosa Blvd and back down to Lake Forest Circle. In Lake Pagosa Park the mitigation work will include two tracts, the first being a greenbelt property that is situated between Monument Avenue and Aspenglow Blvd (Monarch Ct and Moffat Ct) and over to Gary Place. This project will entail primarily thinning a severely overcrowded and stunted Ponderosa Pine forest; and the second tract is located behind Inspiration Drive and extending over to the Powderhorn subdivision.
Much of the work will include reduction and clumping of oak brush and some of the work will include the removal of overcrowded Ponderosa Pines to create spacing. The pine logs will be cut into shorter manageable lengths and made available to PLPOA residents for firewood, we will make announcements as to the locations of these log stashes as they become available. No chainsaws will be allowed at these locations, please just take the short 4 to 6 foot logs home and cut them up there. Also, be aware of contractors with machinery in these greenbelts in the coming months and do not venture close to thinning operations, it can be difficult for these guys to see people approaching and work safely at the same time. Please avoid thinning operations while work is in progress.
Local Pinochle Group Seeking a Player
Join the fun every Tuesday at 1 PM!
If you’re interested, contact Maxine for details. 928-775-9167
REC CENTER HAPPENINGS
ROAD WORK UPDATE
The culverts in the Vista Subdivision are currently being improved in preparation for resurfacing. Culvert ditches are being graded to improve drainage. Road crews are scheduled to begin hot mill in place in mid-May which will be followed by chip and seal work. While road work is being done, please do not park on the roadway or shoulder. Also, please remember new driveway entrances and new parking areas on your lot require a permit from both the County and PLPOA. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the road work, contact the County Road & Bridge office at 970-264-8402. The following roads in the Vista Subdivision are scheduled for improvements:
Canyon Circle Lyn Ave.
Highland Ave. Ray Court
Prospect Blvd. – from Lyn Ave. to Surrey Dr. Homestead Dr.
Surrey Dr. Manor Court
Fireside St. – from Fortune to Paradise Dr. Brook Dr.
Other Road Improvement Locations –
Full depth restoration
S. Pagosa Blvd. – from town limit to Cameron –
Chip & Hot Mill in Place
Meadows Blvd.
N. Pagosa Blvd. – from split lane to Aspenglow
Lake Forest – from PAWSD to N. Pagosa Blvd.
Saturn Dr.
Pinon Cswy.
Brush Collection Area Open
Grass Seed for Sale
@ PLPOA Admin Office
(drought tolerant once established)
Low Maintenance 3# $18.00
Best for “traditional” lawn – Three kinds of fescue. Coverage about 1,000 sq ft.
Low Grow Mix 5# $30.00
Best for open native area – variety of fescues, rye and blue grasses. Coverage approx. 1,800 sq ft.