Please take a few moments to read the Pagosa Springs Chamber's September/October Newsletter. Remember the following:
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Chamber Communiqué
September/October 2016



Everyone must take time to sit  and watch the leaves turn.
~Elizabeth Lawrence
 
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Note from the Executive Director                           


Greetings,

 
It is a busy time for us here at the Chamber in the fall.  Along with planning upcoming events, the chamber is also participating on several working groups in the community to try and solve some of the issues facing our businesses and residents.
First, for events! Don't miss one of the chamber and community's biggest events of the season, ColorFest.  This year, ColorFest weekend takes place from September 16-18.  Check out the schedule in this newsletter for more information.  Due to popular demand, we have increased the size of the tent to accommodate more people both for the Passport to Pagosa Wine & Food Fest and the Music and Microbrews event.  A first this year is Breakfast with Balloons, hosted by the Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership at their new greenhouse site in Centennial Park.  Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast on Saturday morning where you have ringside seats to the hot air balloon mass ascension.  The other event we partner with is ACVAP's 5K Color Run/Walk.  This is probably the "funnest" run of the year!  With the temperatures a little cooler and the leaves already starting to turn color, it definitely feels like a ColorFest time of year!
Now for community infrastructure.  The Chamber is working with a group of volunteers and taking a seat at two tables on behalf of the business community to try and improve the issues of lack of early childhood care and the unavailability of housing.  With over 530 vacation rental properties on the Pagosa market, affordable housing rental is more and more difficult to find.  The community, through the efforts of the Pagosa Springs CDC and support of Region 9, was awarded a Tiny Homes assistance grant by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).  The state will be sending down a team of consultants to work with our community as we investigate a possible Tiny Homes community.  Other southwest communities will be in attendance as well.  The working group is looking at potential available parcels of land to accommodate housing development, RV accessibility and mix use projects.  The Early Care & Education Work Group conducted a survey in early September to try and determine the interest and need of affordable early childhood care and education for children 0-5 years of age.  In addition, they are looking to work with the state to determine if there are ways to make home care or center licensing less tedious or cumbersome.  For someone looking to start a business in Pagosa Springs, child care and education is a much needed industry.  There is not only the local working group, but the La Plata Early Childhood Council is a great assistance organization. Anyone interested in pursuing this type of business is encouraged to contact the Chamber. 
Other rather exciting news is the movies being shot in our area.  There is "Hostiles" being filmed in Chama, which a number of people from Pagosa were called in to be extras.  The Chamber was pleased to have put the word out at the request of the "Hostiles" casting staff.  In Spring of 2017, another feature film will begin in Durango.  Cabela's will be in Pagosa at the end of September taking shots for their spring catalog. Then in November, Pagosa will be home to a feature-length film.  More information will be coming out about this film at the end of September.  These "shoots" are important as they can be a big economic impact to our community.  The Chamber encourages our businesses to get listed in the FREE 4 Corners Film Office Production Guide.  When producers and scouts are looking to bring a film to a community, they look to see what services and infrastructure a community has in place.  Therefore it is important to let them know that Pagosa Springs has lodging, restaurants, caterers, clothing, locations and so much more in our community to accommodate them.  Take just a few minutes and go to the Film Office website at www.4cornersfilmoffice.org and list your business, or if you are interested in being an extra on a film, send your information to them as well. Instructions are available on the website.   Let's put our best foot forward and tout to the film industry the beautiful and business rich community that we are.  Take advantage of this FREE service provided by the 4 Corners Film Office.  Enjoy the cooler weather and the stunning colors in the upcoming weeks!


Sincerely,

Mary Jo Coulehan

Updates & Reminders
  • There will be a Maximizing your Membership class on Monday September 26th, from 12-1:15. The Maximizing your Membership class for October will be on Monday the 24th.
  • There will not be a Business after Hours in September due to the Colorfest weekend event. The October B.A.H. is hosted by Skip's Coffee news, held at Stevens Field Airport on Wednesday the 26th.
  • The Pagosa Springs Chamber will be hosting the 31st Annual Colorfest weekend on September 16th-18th.
  • Watch for upcoming Business Bites presentations concerning Amendment 69, 2017 Health Care Changes,  and Starting your Business and Top 10 Fatal Business Mistakes by the SBDC.
See below for more information or contact the Chamber  at 970-264-2360.

 
Upcoming Chamber Events
The 31st Annual Colorfest in Pagosa is just around the corner and is one of Pagosa Chamber's biggest events of the year! Taking place September 16th-18th, the weekend will once again have the Friday evening Passport to Pagosa Wine & Food Festival (this event is SOLD OUT), the Saturday Music & Micro Brew Festival (tickets only sold at the gate), balloon ascensions both Saturday and Sunday morning, plus much more! For more information about the weekend events, go to http://pagosachamber.com/colorfest2016/.
Colorfest 2016

Colorfest 2016
The Chamber is excited to offer our members a new benefit from Associates Insurance Group, Inc., who offers workers compensation plans and health insurance plans at incredible rates! If you would like to know more about their plans, please contact them at the number provided below, or give the Chamber a call at 970-264-2360.



 
Park 2 Park Arts & Crafts Festival
2nd Annual Chamber Golf Tournament
The ever-popular Park 2 Park Arts & Crafts Festival during the July 4th weekend was once again a huge success, drawing massive crowds for the holiday weekend. 
The 2nd Annual Chamber Golf Tournament started off with beautiful blue summer skies as teams took to the course for the 4-person scramble. A great time was had by all!
 
 
July Business after Hours
Two Old Crows
Everyone wanted a chance to win a prize from this beautiful store!
Mary Jo, Nicki, and Morgan pausing for a perfect picture!
Marion and Patricia, owners, took a moment to take this great picture.
 
The grand prize!
 
August Business after Hours
Lantern Dancer/co-hosted by Pagosa Brokers
The rainy weather didn't keep people away from this great B.A.H.!
The San Juan Mountain Boys provided wonderful music.
 Artists were available to discuss their work at Lantern Dancer.
Pagosa Brokers was a perfect place for engaging conversation!
 
Member News
Get Your Free Energy-Saving Tree from the Arbor Day Foundation and Black Hills Energy
 
In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees initiative, Black Hills Energy is distributing approximately 1,100 free trees, one per household, to customers who reserve one beginning today.
 
A free tree can be reserved on a first come, first served basis at www.arborday.org/blackhillsenergy . The 3- to 4-foot-tall dormant trees will be delivered directly to customers for fall planting in October.
 
"Our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation in the Energy-Saving Trees program offers us the opportunity to promote the cleaner air, energy savings and other valuable benefits you gain by planting the right tree in the right place," said Susan Bailey, Black Hills Energy's Vice President of natural gas operations for Colorado.
Geothermal Greenhouse a Reality (Pagosa Journal)

The dome greenhouse in Centennial Park has been a long time coming! Many volunteers  served on the committee over the years and they all helped move the project forward. There were setbacks and frustrations, with doubters along the way, but the core group held tight to the concept.  Everyone who had a hand in it should be congratulated. It is a great civic success and a proud facility for Pagosa's future.
 
Come by the GGP site to see the construction progress for yourself. Contact the nonprofit organization at www.pagosagreen.org or www.facebook.com/geothermalgreenhousepartnership.

Chimney Rock September Events (Pagosa Daily Post)
Chimney Rock National Monument's 2016 season is winding to an end, but there is still time to visit this spectacular Monument where the Ancient Puebloans once resided. Chimney Rock offers monthly programs, annual events and daily guided and self-guided tours that are fun and educational for the whole family through September 30.

Archuleta Schools are back in Session
 
September 6th marked the first day of school for Pagosa Springs families, and after-school electives, sports, and a variety of other activities have begun already. The schools have adopted a new parent portal system called Infinite Campus, which will provide even better communication tools for parents. All families are encouraged to go online at www.mypagosaschools.com or to the different building's facebook sites to keep current on all the activities and other information for the year.

 
Ribbon Cuttings for July and August
San Juan Lifestyle
Urban Armour Gallery
The Pagosa Escape Zone
Armor City Doors
Renewing Members July/August

Abracadabra
Angela's Flower Shop
Astraddle a Saddle
At Your Disposal
Axis Health System
Bank of Colorado
Bar D Chuckwagon Suppers, Inc.
Cabins at Hartland Ranch
Choke Cherry Tree
Colorado Dream Homes, Inc.
Cool Pines RV Park
Crossfit Pagosa
Dancing Bear Retreat
Durango Magazine
Edward Jones Investments
FireWise of Southwest Colorado
Flying Dutchman
Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership, Inc
Goodman's Department Store
Ron Gustafson
H & R Block
High Country Lodge
High Plains Nursery
Shellie Hogue with Exit Realty Advantage    Pagosa
Home Again
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic             Church
Jann C. Pitcher Real Estate
JoAnn Laird
Lantern Dancer Gallery & Gift Shop
Let It Fly, LLC




Made in Colorado Shoppe
Main Street Cottage
Monroe Chiropractic
Music in the Mountains
Outfitter Department Store
Pagosa Area Water & Sanitation
Pagosa Feed & Nursery
Pagosa Ranger District
Pagosa Springs Medical Center
Pinewood Inn
Plaza Liquor
Rio Grande Savings & Loan Assoc.
Joan & Malcolm Rodger
Rose Restaurant
Rosner Creative
San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging
San Juan Motel
San Juan River Village Metro District
Jacquelyn Schick
Lisa Scott
Sonrisas Spanish School
Southwest Garage Doors
Sportsman's Campground & Mountain        Cabins
Tavern LeBoeuf
The Tile and Carpet Store
Toner Ranch Outfitting, LLC
Tri-County Head Start
Voormi
Wild Horse Casino & Hotel
Wilderness Journeys/Pagosa Rafting            Outfitters, Inc.

New Members July/August
Armor City Doors
217 Piñon Causeway #3010
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: 303-570-9076
E-Mail: armorcitydoors@gmail.com

I've been doing locksmith work since 2008 and have trained with the very best. It is my pleasure to offer my services now in Pagosa Springs. I specialize in residential and light commercial lock work offering rekey services with (4 free keys included), repair of locks or replacement as needed. All locks and keys are tested on site to make sure everything is working perfectly. In addition, I know when you need a locksmith, you need one now, so because I'm based here in town, I'm able to offer very responsive times. When you hire Armor City Doors, you know the job will be done right. We also do door frame repairs, door adjustments, and weather stripping as well. Ask my customers and you'll know why they choose Armor City Doors.

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Associates Insurance Group, Inc.
8400 E. Prentice Ave. Ste. 300
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: 303-793-3388
E-Mail: msheedy@workcompnow.com

Associates Insurance Group is Colorado's premier provider of Workers Compensation and Commercial Insurance. Our organization insures a large client base in Archuleta county and offers extensive services and carrier options. Associates prides itself on providing our clients valuable service offering and saving them money.

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Black Hills Energy
Carly West
P.O. Box 505
Phone: 800-563-0012
E-Mail: carly.west@blackhillscorp.com

Black Hills Energy, the business name under which we operate our natural gas and electric utilities, serves 1.2 million customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Our utilities are subsidiaries of Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH). VISION: BE THE ENERGY PARTNER OF CHOICE We strive to be the energy partner of choice. Whether our customers are served by our regulated or non-regulated businesses, we want them to value our service and business relationship. MISSION: IMPROVING LIFE WITH ENERGY Every day, we want to be improving life with energy. We produce, market and deliver the vital electricity, coal, oil and natural gas that our customers need. Through our efforts, products and services, we also share our personal energy to strengthen our communities and support growth and development. VALUES: We are proud of our employees; they represent what we stand for. There are several key values that have been fundamental to our success for the past 125 years, and there are others that will be vital to our future success. These are the values we feel align us to our vision and that our employees demonstrate every day.

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Elk Heart Outfitters
Adam Mattingly
5600 East County Rd. 700
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: 970-731-2952
E-Mail: elkheartoutfitters@gmail.com

Elk Heart Outfitters offers the opportunity to experience the beauty of the San Juan National Forest in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Elk Heart Outfitters offers 1 hour, 2 hour, half day and all day scenic mountain horseback rides. Pack in on horseback and experience hunting at its best! Elk Heart Outfitters drop camps provide hunters with fully furnished camp sites. Services include pack in and out plus game packing. Camps supply: tents, costs, chairs, table, cook stove, propane, lanterns, and heaters. Hunting license, food, and cooking utensils are hunter's responsibility. Archery through third rifle for deer, elk, and bear.

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Footprints
Karen Hoch
458 Pagosa Street
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: 970-264-3668
E-Mail: theoutfitterpagosa@gmail.com

Located in downtown Pagosa Springs, CO, Foot Prints is your #1 source for long-lasting, quality footwear from esteemed brands like Keen, Merrell, Dansko, Salomon, and more! Foot Prints opened in August 2015, and since then, Bruce and Karen have been serving the community of Pagosa Springs with top-notch customer service, working hard everyday to provide customers with the best products at the right prices. The couple cares about Pagosa, and looks forward to greeting you with a smile during your next visit. 9-6 Mon-Sat 10-5 Sun

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Living Space Design & Management
Oliver Phillips
65 Twincreek Circle
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: 970-903-0520
E-Mail: oliver.phillips@gmail.com

Living Space Design & Construction is the Expert Design/Build Contractor in Pagosa Springs Colorado and Surrounding Areas. Residential Design Services - Custom Home Design, Construction Documents, 3D Renderings, Solar Sun Studies, Structural Member Calculation, Material Schedules, Material Value Engineering and REScheck Calculations (Energy Efficient and Responsible Design). Construction Planning Services - Provide Complete Construction Budgets, Construction Permitting (Town, County, PLPOA, HOAs), Utility Planning and Permitting, Construction Loan Application Assistance, Consulting. Construction Services - Complete Dirt Work Services, Top Quality Framing, Carpentry and Finishes. Complete Turn Key Construction and General Contracting Services. Construction Loan Draw Services. Remodel and Addition Services. Fully Insured Services. Who We Are - LSD&C is a Family Owned and Operated Business Founded in 2008. Pagosa is Home to Our Family of 5 and we Enjoy Making it Home for Others. With a Sustainable Design and Regenerative Energies Design Degree from Western State College, we have the Right Training to Design and Build the Best Home to fit Your Needs, Your Location and Your Life. Our Construction Experience of Over 20 Years and Local Relationships of over 10 Years Ensures we know How, Who and What to get the project done right!

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Mary Hunt USHealth Advisors
Mary Hunt
135 Country Center Dr. F105
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: 970-444-5144
E-Mail: mary.hunt@ushadvisors

At USHEALTH Group and our Family of Companies, we understand that your health coverage is one of the most important decisions you can make. That is why we have made it our mission to provide innovative health coverage that can be tailored to your individual needs. And the best part is, you can apply any time of year, even outside of open enrollment. 9-4 by appointment

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Pagosa Escape Zone
Bob Hart
190 Talisman Dr. Ste D7
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: 970-731-2715
E-Mail: info@pagosaescapezone.com
Web: www.pagosafunzone.com

You will work together in a group of 2-8 people ranging in ages from 8 on up to solve clues and decipher puzzles in and effort to ESCAPE in 60 minutes or less. The setting is in Mr. Gibb Stevens studio apartment. Mr. Stevens is a CIA agent from New York City who comes to Pagosa Springs to get off the grid...this time while in Pagosa Springs he goes out for a hike in the San Juan Mountains and never returns. You have to figure out what happens to him in an effort to find clues and break the codes to Escape the Room. It's challenging and it's tough. CAN YOU ESCAPE? From Downtown Pagosa Springs, head west on Highway 160 approximately 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Pinon Causeway. Turn left onto Village Drive. Turn right onto Talisman Drive. Pagosa Escape Zone will be on your left (190 Talisman Drive, Suite D7). From North Pagosa Road turn east onto Village Drive. Turn left onto Talisman Drive. Organization Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday - 2:30 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. Saturday - 1:00 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. Sunday - 1:30 p.m. through 4:30 p.m. *Special Sessions Can Be Booked Outside of These Hours, just call (970) 731-2715*

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Solid Rock Builders
Jason Logan
1222 Lake Forest Circle
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: 970-759-3882
E-Mail: solidrockbuildersllc@gmail.com

Solid Rock Builders, LLC is a family owned and operated business located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Owner, Jason Logan, is a third generation custom builder/general contractor that moved to Southwest Colorado in 1996. Solid Rock Builders has been in business in the area since 2003, doing projects ranging from quality custom homes to extensive remodel projects, decks, landscape, fences, and more. Solid Rock Builders, LLC also provides management/maintenance services to local home owners and the rental home market through "Solid Rock Management." "Building a foundation of Excellence" is our motto, and we offer the highest quality materials and craftsmanship to our customers! Value is as important to us as it is to you, so we're committed to providing our customers with the best services that will give them peace of mind and the quality of life they deserve. So please contact us for a no obligation consultation and let us help you start your next project on a foundation of "SOLID ROCK.

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Stephanie R. Wagner CPA PLLC
Stephanie Wagner
P.O. Box 736
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: 970-264-0670
E-Mail: cpapagosa@gmail.com

Accounting Services.

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Sweet Water Pagosa, LLC
Carlie Sweet
135-F Country Center Dr. #85
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: 970-946-0411
E-Mail: info@sweetwaterpagosa.com

Great Service you Know and Trust! Let Carlie Sweet and the Sweet Water Pagosa, LLC Team see to all of your: 1.)Water treatment and filtration system installation and maintenance. 2.)Water pump installation, repair, and replacement. 3.)Cistern installation, maintenance, repair , and cleaning. Serving the Pagosa Springs, Bayfield, Durango, and surrounding areas.

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Urban Armour Gallery
Chris Nelson
136 East Pagosa St. #6
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: 970-903-5384
E-Mail: pagosachris@mac.com

Urban Armour Gallery showcases fine art jewelry created by Chris Nelson, Goldsmith. he is nationally/internationally recognized for his highly innovative work in iron jewelry, fused golds, Australian opal, and raw, uncut diamonds. Nelson's work has been shown in San Francisco, Santa Fe, Chicago, and New York City. He also teaches his jewelry techniques in national and international "Ferrous Musings/Fusings" workshops. Several 5 & 6-day workshops are presented in his home studio in Pagosa Springs, CO, attracting local, national, and international students.

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CDC Corner
 
SBDC in Archuleta County
Although housed in Durango, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has had a huge presence in Archuleta County and other southwest counties for many years. Through their efforts of one on one mentoring, classes and workshops, printed material and conferences, the SBDC has assisted many an individual start, expand or revamp their business here in Pagosa Springs. When the SBDC assists a business, there is a tremendous amount financial and residual impact to a community.
Here are some examples of their impact to our county. For the first six months of the year, they have visited with 128 clients. They have help create 46 new jobs and have retained 16 jobs for a capital investment of $1,232,350. Now what does that mean? Each business that has received assistance from the SBDC fills out a survey. The survey asks businesses, "with the help of the SBDC" to complete the answers. New Jobs is self-explanatory - how many new jobs were created with the start-up of your business. Retained jobs is how many jobs were "saved" because of the assistance the SBDC offered. Capital investment is primarily how much money was generated through loans, financial assistance, or monies invested by the business into their new, expanded or revamped business. These numbers are significant to our county.
The SBDC has offered classes such as Marketing for Smarties, Leading Edge and Top 10 Fatal Mistakes Businesses Make. In conjunction with the Chamber they have offered Starting Your Business classes, QuickBooks training, Marketing workshops and many more useful and pertinent sessions. The SBDC personnel meet at the Chamber every month, typically the 4th Tuesday of the month for one-on-one counseling sessions.   To book a session, simply call the chamber and we will assist you with open slots. If you would like to meet with the SBDC in Durango or another time outside the usual Chamber time-slots, give them a call at 247-7009.
The CDC is proud to have such a close working relationship with the SBDC. When a client comes to inquire about business opportunities or challenges, the first call we recommend is the SBDC. For more information on the SBDC, stop by the Chamber and pick up one of their brochures or helpful publications.
 
The next public meeting of the Community Development Corporation will be held on Wednesday, September 14th at San Juan Marketplace from 5:30 -7:30 p.m.  CDC members and the community are welcome to attend.  Check the CDC website www.pagosaspringscdc.org for the agenda.  


To view the latest meetings, events, and other news occurring with the PS CDC, visit their website at  or like them on  Like us on Facebook.




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We appreciate the support and commitment of our members, and we will continue to serve your needs as our commitment to you!

Sincerely, 


The Chamber Staff






105 Hot Springs Blvd.
PO Box 787
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

        BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President:        Jeannie Sinkey
V. President:    Jack Searle
Treasurer:        Mike Beckel
Secretary:        Jessica Bilazzo
Directors:         Nicki Alley
                          John Janowski
                          Jimmy Muñozcano
                          Chris Smith
                          Jon Johnson

(970) 264-2360
Fax" (970) 264-4625

                            STAFF
Executive Director:    Mary Jo Coulehan
Membership Coord.:   Angela Wirth
Events Coordinator:   Cheryl Bowdridge
Administrative Asst.: Amanda Powers
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