4/18/2025
PINE NEEDLE PICK-UP UPDATE (Please Read Carefully)
The PLPOA Board of Directors has awarded the Pine Needle Pick-Up contract to Table to Farm Compost LLC. This is the first year Table to Farm Compost will be providing this service for PLPOA, and we’re excited to announce a major improvement: all collected pine needles will be transported to a dedicated facility to be turned into sustainable, nutrient-rich compost—instead of being sent to the landfill.
If you already have plastic bags filled and ready for pick-up:
We have a plan in place. This weekend (April 19 & 20), Table to Farm will drive through PLPOA neighborhoods and collect any plastic bags of pine needles they see. They will not be working from a list, but will track what they pick up. After this initial sweep, we will offer one final sign-up during the last week of April for anyone whose bags were missed. The sign-up is not live yet, but we will notify you as soon as it is available.
IMPORTANT:
If you have NOT already filled plastic bags, please DO NOT fill any more.
To support the composting initiative and reduce landfill waste, we are transitioning away from plastic bags. Table to Farm is generously taking on the extra work of removing pine needles from existing plastic bags for this final round only. Please help us by not adding more plastic bags to the process.
After April:
Starting in May, pine needles in plastic bags will NOT be picked up and will not be eligible for this service.
Moving Forward:
As always, it is the owner’s responsibility to purchase bags. Ace Hardware has been informed of this change and will be well stocked with approved paper lawn and leaf bags. You can also order online and select Terry’s Ace for free in-store pickup: Ace Ampac 30 gal. Lawn & Leaf Bags Flap Tie Paper 5 pk.
We understand that change can be challenging, but PLPOA is committed to reducing our environmental impact and keeping thousands of plastic bags out of our already stressed landfill. Thank you for helping us do better for our community and the environment.
Local Realtor Education for PLPOA
Everything you need to know about buying or selling property in PLPOA
By submitting the linked form with your information, you are registering to attend the PLPOA Realtor Education Session on Wednesday, May 21 at 1:00 PM, held at the PLPOA Administration Building located at 230 Port Avenue.
Based on your feedback, we will send out the final agenda to all attendees on Monday, May 19th.
In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at what to expect:
- General Manager, Allen Roth will provide a brief overview of what it means to buy property in a POA, including deed-restricted titles, the hierarchy of governing documents, and an introduction to CC&Rs.
- Lifestyle and Communications Manager, Jenifer Pitcher will demonstrate how to navigate the POA website and highlight its useful features, along with an overview of amenity access for property owners.
- Comptroller, Heather Lundy from the Accounting Department will explain standard practices for property transfers—covering topics such as working with title companies, FSBO transactions, quit claim deeds, prorated annual assessments, and transfer fees.
- Community Standards Department Manager, Chris Simpson and Staff will walk through the application and project permitting processes, land use codes, and how to locate property setbacks and understand deed restrictions.
We’re Hiring
Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association is accepting applications for the Accounting Assistant position. The Accounting Assistant serves as the Assistant to the Comptroller. The Accounting Assistant is responsible for accurately posting accounts receivable and accounts payable, communicating with title companies on the status of properties being sold or refinanced, producing and mailing lien notices, and communicating with owners. Candidates must have financial accounting education or experience, exemplary customer service skills, and strong organizational skills. This is a full-time, hourly position scheduled at 32 hours per week with great benefits. Interested candidates must submit a resume by April 25th. Email resume to comptroller@plpoa.com
Advertise in our Summer Newsletter
FIRE HYDRANT UPDATE
The on-going concern with fire hydrants not being tested in over ten years seems to have been resolved. The PAWSD Board of Directors agreed to hire a hydrant testing contractor, Distribution System Resources Ltd. The Company is licensed and certified and already has the equipment to perform the testing. It is estimated that all hydrants within the district could be inspected in twelve weeks. This provides a big relief to PLPOA residents with the extremely dry winter and insurance companies looking to increase rates.
2025 PLPOA BOARD MEMBERS VACANCIES
There will be two board positions vacant this coming Annual Meeting. All current board members are eligible to run again for another term. Any PLPOA property owner in good standing is eligible to run for election for one of these seats. Owners interested in serving on the Board, must submit a completed application form, a resume along with a petition sheet. The deadline to submit your application is May 12. According to the Bylaws, Article V, Section 3, each member will be elected for a three-year term.
Board Members are expected to attend in person or remotely all meetings which are scheduled the second Thursday of every month along with any other scheduled meetings. They are expected to understand the Association’s governing documents and its operations. Candidates should also be prepared if elected to fulfill their fiduciary duties to the community, exercise sound business judgement and balance the needs and obligations of the community as a whole.
Application packets can be accessed on the PLPOA website: https://www.plpoa.com/learning-about-plpoa/board-room/board-application-and-petition/
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.
FIBER INSTALLATION IN PLPOA
Great News! Fiber is coming to PLPOA. Fiber optics is the technology of transmitting information as light signals through thin, transparent fibers, typically made of glass or plastic. These fibers, known as optical fibers, carry data over long distances with high speed and minimal signal loss. Through a CPF grant to improve rural infrastructure, fiber will be installed throughout the PLPOA subdivisions. Two separate contracts have been awarded. One company will be working south of Rte. 160 and the other will be working north of Rte. 160. The work on the north side is beginning in the Hatcher area and will be heading south. More details on their schedule of work is coming.
Meanwhile, fiber installation south of Rte. 160 is being done by Clearnet Worx Digital. They will have equipment to install the fiber both underground and aerial. This work will be taking place in the road right-aways. All roads in the Meadows II, III, and IV subdivisions will have fiber installed for owners to connect. The work will continue all summer concluding on November 1st anticipating that the majority of the work will be completed. After the fiber installation owners will be able to sign-up and receive high-speed, reliable internet services. If you desire more information regarding how to sign-up to receive fiber and price packaging, please call Clearnet Worx Digital at 970 240-6600.
AUDIT REPORT
The 2024 Audit of the PLPOA financials has been completed and McMahan and Associates did a presentation of the draft audit during last evening’s board meeting. PLPOA has once again received an exceptional report. The Board of Directors will vote to approve the final audit report at the May 8 meeting.
Spring is here!
As we transition from winter to spring, the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association strives for compliance through engagement, education, and courteous outreach. The inspections will ensure compliance with community covenants, rules, and regulations, including property maintenance standards and aesthetic guidelines, and will pursue covenant compliance procedures accordingly. The inspection criteria will include complying properties and paying it forward with complimentary and thank-you notes from the DCS team. April forward – The Department of Community Standards is performing property inspections by quadrants, with quadrant one being Pagosa Highlands, Lake Hatcher, Coyote Cove, and South Shore Estates, and quadrant two being Martinez Mountain Estates I, Martinez Mountain Estates II, Twin-creek Village, Lake Pagosa Park, and quadrant three being Lake Forest Estates, Ranch Communities, North Village Lake, South Village Lake, Mallard Point, Eaton Estates, Capstone Village, Lakewood Village, Lakeview Estates, Ridgeview, Village Services, Central Core, Pagosa in the Pines I, Pagosa in the Pines II, and quadrant four being Chris Mountain Village, Pagosa Trails, Pagosa Vista, Meadows II, Meadows III, and Meadows IV. The goal is to deliver excellent customer service, ensure compliance, and fulfill commitments. We want to let you know that a concern is not considered a violation until it has been validated, and we have taken every opportunity to ensure compliance before taking any action.
April Lakes Report
The lakes were stocked this past week with a first round of 12-16 inch rainbow trout. Additional trout will be coming in the next few weeks including some limited numbers of Tiger trout for Hatcher Lake. We also expect some smaller bass and crappie to arrive for stocking later in April. The fishing should be outstanding over the next couple of months and provide some great opportunities for anglers. The floating docks have been installed at the boat ramps as well and we anticipate that boating on the area lakes will be quite pleasant this spring. Please be aware that spring winds can make for touchy boating conditions at times. If you see white caps and heavy winds it’s probably time to come off the lake.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW FIRE MITIGATION INFORMATIONAL PAGE:
Brush Collection Area Opening April 2nd
The Pagosa Lakes brush collection area will be opening for the season on Wednesday, April 2nd. Hours will remain the same as last year, Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 8 till noon. The gate will be closed at all other times. Please remember the annual load limits, 2 Truck/Trailer combination loads; or 3 full pickup loads per owner or lot. Brush and limbs up to eight inches in diameter can be dropped off for processing through the chipper, no yard waste or pine needles are accepted at this site. We also have good supply of wood chip material available to owners at no cost, and later this spring we will set up a regular morning for free loading of chips into a truck or trailer with the tractor.
There are resources available for owners who have larger wildfire fuel reduction projects on their property including chipper rebate programs and limited cost assistance programs available through Wildfire Adapted Partnership.
PAGOSA LAKES Board of Directors Monthly MEETING
ALWAYS On the second Thursday of every month at 6pm – May 8th
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
Simply click on the flyer image to register for your desired event.
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.
From the greater Community:
Community Awareness: New Impact Fee by Fire Department
Attention all property owners and developers:
The Fire Department has introduced a new impact fee for any new construction and additions to homes or properties. To ensure a smooth process for your project, please follow these steps:
- Approval from PLPOA: Begin by obtaining the necessary approvals from the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association (PLPOA).
- Visit the Fire Department: After receiving PLPOA approval, visit the Fire Department located at 165 N. Pagosa Blvd. For any inquiries, you can contact them at 970-731-4191.
- Proceed to the County: Once you have completed the steps with the Fire Department, proceed to the County for any additional requirements.
Please make sure to plan accordingly and factor in this new fee as part of your project budget.
Great News!! Pagosa Area Trails Council (PATC) with Pagosa Ranger District just got awarded a $196,000 Colorado Parks & Wildlife State Trails Grant.
With PATC’s cash match of $140,000, of locally raised funds, we will have $336,000 to hire trail crews to work on our local Pagosa Area Trails. Plus the continued work of our Local Trail Volunteers.
As Forest Service budgets are being cut and layoffs of trail crews, these funds are much needed to keep our trails cleared, maintained and safe.
More Great News:
Pagosa Area Recreation Coalition(PARC) is in the process of developing a Greater Pagosa Area Recreation Plan. As part of the process we are doing a “Community Recreation Survey”. Please fill out this very important survey so we can better understand your needs, priorities and concerns.😊
Click this link to take this survey. PARC Community Recreation Survey.
