Cone Zone Care: The Latest on CDOT’s Downtown Construction Project

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The Pagosa Springs Main Street Program is all about keeping our downtown vibrant, welcoming, and full of life. With a range of initiatives, we’re here to support local businesses, enhance the downtown experience, and strengthen the bond between residents and visitors. These programs work together to make sure our downtown district reflects the spirit of our community. Let’s take a look at what we’re up to.

Cone Zone Care Program

Introduced in 2024, the Cone Zone Care Program is a game-changer for our downtown as we navigate the two-year Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) US Highway 160 Reconstruction Project. We created this program to help our community weather the changes brought by construction, offering a space for open conversations and tackling the challenges while embracing the opportunities that come with a major project like this.

Cone Zone Care kicked off with monthly community meetings that bring together local business owners, residents, and other stakeholders to share concerns, brainstorm solutions, and stay connected. It’s all about fostering collaboration and ensuring everyone has a voice in how the reconstruction impacts our downtown.

At the heart of Cone Zone Care is a strong communications plan, built in partnership with CDOT, the Town of Pagosa Springs, Tourism, the Chamber, and Archuleta County. This strategy ensures that everyone has access to clear, accurate, and up-to-date information. We’re making sure no one is left in the dark, and that the flow of communication stays smooth and transparent.

But we’re not stopping there. The program also offers local businesses practical tools to stay strong during the construction. Thanks to our Main Street America accreditation, businesses have access to free digital training, plus a “survival kit” packed with tips from other small Colorado towns that have faced similar projects. With these resources, businesses can stay ahead of the game and keep thriving, no matter the challenges.

Cone Zone Care isn’t just about surviving the reconstruction; it’s about thriving by maintaining economic stability, building community spirit, and fostering a positive outlook for the future. This program ensures our downtown remains resilient, connected, and prepared to embrace the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Revitalizing Main Street 

Our Revitalizing Main Street Program is all about making downtown Pagosa Springs the place to be. From sprucing up building facades to reimagining public spaces, we’re on a mission to create a downtown that’s vibrant, welcoming, and brimming with character. Think of it as a makeover for the heart of our community—a way to honor our history while inviting everyone to enjoy all the charm and energy downtown has to offer.

With thoughtful investments in infrastructure and beautification, this program isn’t just about aesthetics (though we do love a good photo op); it’s about strengthening the community, boosting local businesses, and making downtown more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Pagosa Springs Middle School Revitalization Project

One of our proudest projects under the Revitalizing Main Street Program is the Middle School Revitalization Project. We’re transforming the area around the middle school into a safe, engaging, and downright cool space that reflects our vision for a more connected downtown.

In Phase 1, we teamed up with the Town of Pagosa Springs to secure a $250,000 CDOT Revitalizing Main Streets Grant. This funding is bringing some much-needed love to the area around the school, including a brand-new sidewalk, upgraded landscaping, and a creative “parklet” featuring a transit stop and a solar-powered bike center. These updates focus on more than aesthetics. They prioritize pedestrian safety, improve accessibility, and create a space where people want to gather and connect.

Next up, Phase 2 turns attention to the middle school’s greenhouse, which could use a little love. With grant funding, we’ll replace those outdated panels with something modern and functional, turning the greenhouse into a cutting-edge educational hub for horticulture, food systems, and sustainability. But wait, there’s more! We’re also adding a Wi-Fi hotspot and creating a welcoming “front porch” for downtown that’ll tie the whole project together. It’s all about making this space a go-to spot for students, locals, and visitors alike.

Façade Improvement Grants Project

Who doesn’t love a fresh coat of paint or a shiny new look? That’s where our Façade Improvement Grants Project comes in. In 2023, we offered local businesses and organizations up to $2,000 each to help improve their building exteriors. The result? A more polished, inviting downtown that makes people want to linger a little longer.

With a $10,000 budget, we helped businesses like Mountain & Meadows Real Estate, PS FroYo, Towne Terrace, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and the Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership Domes breathe new life into their facades. All told, we awarded $8,851.99 to help make our downtown district a place that turns heads and wins hearts.

From the Middle School Revitalization Project to the Façade Improvement Grants, every effort under the Revitalizing Main Street Program is focused on creating a downtown that’s functional, beautiful, and full of life. Whether you’re a resident, a business owner, or a visitor, there’s something for everyone to love in our ever-evolving downtown. And we’re just getting started!

Business Assistance Program

Running a business is no small feat, and we’re here to make sure our local entrepreneurs and business owners have everything they need to thrive. From grants and loans to technical support and training, our Business Assistance Program connects downtown businesses with the resources and tools to grow, adapt, and succeed. Whether it’s navigating challenges or seizing opportunities, we’re ready to help you find solutions that work for your unique goals.

One standout initiative is the Business Disruption Loan Program, a collaboration between the PSCDC and Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado. This program is specifically designed to help businesses weather tough times, like the disruptions that come with major construction projects.

Here’s the scoop:

  • 0% interest for the first six months to give you breathing room.
  • 1% interest for the next six months, with interest-only payments.
  • A fixed prime rate after the first year to keep things predictable.

Use these low-cost loans (ranging from $1,000 to $10,000) for essentials like payroll, rent, or utilities to help you keep things running smoothly when times get tough.

Thanks to our partnership with Main Street America, we offer free digital training tailored for small businesses. Think webinars, on-demand workshops, and even one-on-one sessions with experts who know how to tackle challenges in small communities like ours. Whether you’re looking to boost your operations, engage more customers, or adapt to change, we’ve got you covered.

Through teamwork with regional organizations, industry pros, and programs like Main Street America, the Business Assistance Program is all about strengthening our local economy and creating opportunities for success. Together, we’re building a downtown business community that’s not just resilient—but thriving!

Heritage & Culture

Pagosa Springs is a town full of stories, history, and traditions that make it truly one-of-a-kind. Our Heritage & Culture Program brings that history to life in fun, interactive ways, helping everyone—from longtime locals to first-time visitors—connect with the past while looking to the future. Whether you’re exploring our rich heritage through oral histories, walking tours, or celebrating historic preservation, there’s something exciting happening around every corner.

One of the key highlights of our program is the oral history project, where we’re gathering stories from locals—whether they’ve lived here for decades or just a few months. By sharing these personal accounts, we’re creating a living, breathing record of our community’s experiences, challenges, and triumphs that will be passed down for generations to come.

We’re also enhancing the Visit Pagosa app walking tour to make it even more interactive and informative. Now, you can explore our downtown while learning about the fascinating historical sites that make Pagosa Springs such a special place. It’s a great way to see the town through a new lens and appreciate the rich history surrounding you.

In addition to these projects, we’re gearing up for Historic Preservation Month in May, where we’ll celebrate the local history and preservation efforts that make our downtown so unique. We’ll be sharing stories and articles to inspire others to join the cause, and we’re excited to support the grand re-opening of the Pagosa Springs History Museum over Memorial Day weekend—a perfect way to dive deeper into our town’s history.

But that’s not all! We’re also investing in the future of our downtown through the Façade Improvement Grants Project. In 2023, we provided local businesses and organizations with grants of up to $2,000 each to help give their buildings a fresh new look. With $8,851.99 awarded, businesses like Mountain & Meadows Real Estate, PS FroYo, Towne Terrace, and more have breathed new life into their exteriors, making our downtown even more inviting. The results? A more polished, vibrant space that’s sure to draw people in and keep them coming back.

From preserving our town’s history to revitalizing the downtown district, the Heritage & Culture Program is helping create a downtown that’s not only beautiful and full of character but also connected to the past and future of Pagosa Springs. There’s always something new to discover, and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it!