Pagosa Springs, Colorado Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Town
Tower at Pagosa Springs
Location of Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County, Colorado.
Country	United States
State	State of Colorado
County	Archuleta County Seat
Incorporated (town)	March 18, 1891
Government
• Type	Home rule municipality
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	7,126 ft (2,172 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	1,727
• Estimate (2019)	2,085
• Density	414.27/sq mi (159.94/km²)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP codes	81147, 81157 (PO Box)
Area code(s)	970
FIPS code	08-56860
GNIS feature ID	0184338

The Town of Pagosa Springs (Ute language: Pagwöösa, Navajo language: Tó Sido Háálį́) is the Home rule municipality that is the county seat, the most populous community, and the only incorporated municipality in Archuleta County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,727 at the 2010 census. 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 land.

Pagosa Springs and the surrounding county are both experiencing a substantial influx of second-home owners; a 2006 property assessment indicates that 60% of area private properties are owned by non-residents.

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.

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 the system of sulfur springs, Pagosa hot springs, located there, including the world's deepest geothermal hot spring. This "Mother Spring" feeds the primitive hot spring soaking pools located on the banks of the San Juan River which flows through town. These hot springs are free and public. The Mother Spring also feeds developed soaking pools hosted by three local hot spring soaking locations within town. The water from the "Mother" Spring is approximately 144 °F (62 °C).

Geography
Climate
Demographics
Images for kids
See also

Geography

Pagosa Springs panorama

Pagosa Springs is located at 37°16′5″N 107°1′28″W / 37.26806°N 107.02444°W / 37.26806; -107.02444 (37.268032, -107.024554).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.88 square miles (12.64 km²), of which 4.85 square miles (12.57 km²) is land and 0.027 square miles (0.07 km²), or 0.53%, is water. The area around Pagosa Springs has numerous large waterfalls, including Treasure Falls to the east of town off of Hwy 160 just past the Wolf Creek Pass summit.

Climate

Climate data for Pagosa Springs, CO (2000-2015 normals)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °F (°C)	37.9 (3.3)	42.6 (5.9)	49.2 (9.6)	59.2 (15.1)	68.3 (20.2)	78.3 (25.7)	83.1 (28.4)	80.7 (27.1)	74.3 (23.5)	63.7 (17.6)	49.7 (9.8)	39.6 (4.2)	60.6 (15.9)
Average low °F (°C)	1.4 (−17.0)	7.0 (−13.9)	15.9 (−8.9)	23.9 (−4.5)	30.2 (−1.0)	36.3 (2.4)	45.2 (7.3)	44.6 (7.0)	36.6 (2.6)	26.3 (−3.2)	15.4 (−9.2)	5.0 (−15.0)	24.0 (−4.4)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.97 (50)	1.42 (36)	1.60 (41)	1.36 (35)	1.20 (30)	0.95 (24)	1.88 (48)	2.52 (64)	1.85 (47)	2.29 (58)	1.39 (35)	1.78 (45)	20.22 (514)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	26.4 (67)	18.9 (48)	15.1 (38)	5.5 (14)	0.9 (2.3)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0.1 (0.25)	3.2 (8.1)	10.0 (25)	21.2 (54)	101.5 (258)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	223	—
1900	367	—
1910	669	82.3%
1920	1,032	54.3%
1930	804	−22.1%
1940	1,591	97.9%
1950	1,379	−13.3%
1960	1,374	−0.4%
1970	1,360	−1.0%
1980	1,331	−2.1%
1990	1,207	−9.3%
2000	1,591	31.8%
2010	1,727	8.5%
2019 (est.)	2,085	20.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,591 people, 633 households, and 415 families residing in the town. The population density was 363.1 people per square mile (140.2/km²). There were 746 housing units at an average density of 170.2 per square mile (65.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 74.61% White, 0.50% African American, 2.20% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 18.73% from other races, and 3.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 43.18% of the population.

There were 633 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,469, and the median income for a family was $33,831. Males had a median income of $24,125 versus $21,406 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,355. About 11.9% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 21.1% of those age 65 or over.