Notice of Special Meeting, March 16
San Juan Water Conservancy District scheduled a Special Meeting for Monday, March 16, at 4 pm. The location is 4670 West Highway 160 Suite A2. An agenda and Zoom link will be posted on this website.
Author: SanJuan Water
Feasibility Study Submitted to Advance Reservoir Planning
San Juan Water Conservancy District and RJH Engineering Consultants have submitted a feasibility study (Final Feasibility Report) to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
In November 2025, San Juan Water Conservancy District entered a contract with RJH Engineering Consultants (https://www.rjh-consultants.com) to advance planning for water storage at Running Iron Ranch. An off-channel reservoir of up to eleven thousand acre feet has been proposed to serve Archuleta County.
A more detailed feasibility study is essential to the first phase of planning in order to meet a qualification deadline for a Bureau of Reclamation Small Storage grant consideration. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation defines a reservoir of this proposed size as small storage.
In May 2025, Yeh Engineering (https://www.yeh-eng.com) submitted a Preliminary Geotechnical and Geologic Hazards Report, an early Feasibility Report. The Final Report followed a period of engagement and extensive clarifications with SJWCD board members.
Following the completion of Yeh’s Final Report, SJWCD issued Requests for Proposals from qualified engineering firms with experience in building water storage facilities, large and small. After thorough research, deliberation, and on-site exploration, RJH was hired to move the project forward.
San Juan Water Conservancy District recognizes the need for extensive reservoir planning, engineering, and funding for water storage at Running Iron Ranch. SJWCD will post updates here as reservoir planning advances. The Colorado Water Conservation Board, SJWCD, and Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District own Running Iron Ranch.
SJWCD was created in 1987 in accordance with the Water Conservancy Act. The District is located at the headwaters of the San Juan River and encompasses all of the town of Pagosa Springs and most of Archuleta County. The District has transitioned over the last fifty years to a tourism-based economy with many of our visitors enjoying river recreation including fishing, rafting, tubing, and San Juan Forest-oriented activities like hiking, mountain biking, camping, and snow sports.
The conservancy of Colorado’s water continues to be a consideration of the Colorado legislature (https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb24-038) in the present day. The need for water storage is defined in the Colorado Water Plan (https://www.sjwcd.org/colorado-water-plan), which drives the decision-making of the SJWCD Board of Directors.
The primary focus of the SJWCD during its 36 years of existence has been managing water rights ceded to the District at its formation and exploring water storage options for the Upper San Juan River Basin. Nine Directors are judicially appointed and serve on a volunteer basis. SJWCD currently has no vacancies on its Board of Directors.
Climate Numbers Tell the Truth about Water
The Colorado temperature map pictured here is created by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and published by Colorado State University’s Climate Center.
To study more reliable numbers in map or graph from, link to https://www.drought.gov.
Notice of Regular Meeting, February 16
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) is scheduled for Monday, February 16, 2026, at 4 PM (Mountain Standard Time).
The public in-person meeting will be at the SJWCD office at 4670 West Highway 160 Suite A2 Pagosa Springs, CO. The public meeting is also accessible on Zoom.
San Juan Water Conservancy District is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: SJWCD Regular Meeting
Time: Feb 16, 2026 04:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89920037439?pwd=S1Z1bo4ja8BoryFhQr50CjaCXTPmhb.1
Meeting ID: 899 2003 7439
Passcode: 342671
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Proposed Agenda for the Regular Meeting is as follows:
1. Call to Order
2. Revisions to Agenda and Approval of Agenda
3. Disclosures of Conflict of Interest
4. Public Comment (limit 3 minutes)
5. Consideration of Executive Session. Upon an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members present, the San Juan Water Conservancy District will go into executive session pursuant to section 24-6-402(4) of the Colorado Revised Statutes to receive advice from their attorney and discuss matters concerning the transfer or sale of real, personal or other property interest pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(a) of the Colorado Revised Statutes, discussion of positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and instructing negotiators pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S., all regarding the potential sale of the Running Iron Ranch on the initiative of the Pagosa Area Water & Sanitation District and related litigation (Case No. 24CV30069 filed in Archuleta County District Court), settlement negotiations, mediation, and public statements.
6. Consideration of Actions Related to Litigation (Case No. 24CV30069 filed in Archuleta County District Court) and sale of Running Iron Ranch initiated by PAWSD.
7. Attorney’s Report
8. Treasurer’s Report
9. Update on SJWCD/RJH Submission to Bureau of Reclamation
10. Update on SJWCD Watershed Project Story Map, Monica Nigon, AmeriCorps/WSU
11. Updates from Directors
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SW Basin Roundtable
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Earth Day – Sunday, April 26
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3-2-3 meeting – Feb 24 & 25 in Espanola
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SWCD Annual Meeting – March 27 at Sky Ute
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Other items of interest
12. Discussion of Expiring Board Terms
13. Consideration of Approval of Record of Proceedings from January 12 and February 2
14. Reminder of Special Meeting, Monday, March 16, 4 pm
SAN JUAN WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
By /s/ Sally High
Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors
DISTRICT SEAL
Notice of Special Meeting, February 2
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) is scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, at 4 PM (Mountain Standard Time).
The public in-person meeting will be at the SJWCD office at 4670 West Highway 160 Suite A2 Pagosa Springs, CO. The public meeting is also accessible on Zoom.
San Juan Water Conservancy District is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: SJWCD Special Meeting
Time: Feb 2, 2026 04:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88103054680?pwd=fGJtpjhn8TYkaMWaA7kByHHgyOQiIu.1
Meeting ID: 881 0305 4680
Passcode: 075103
One tap mobile. +16694449171,,88103054680#,,,,*075103# US
Proposed Agenda for the Special Meeting is as follows:
1. Call to Order
2. Revisions to Agenda and Approval of Agenda
3. Disclosures of Conflict of Interest
4. Public Comment (limit 3 minutes)
5. Consideration of RJH Submission to Bureau of Reclamation
6. Consideration of Revisions to 2026 Strategic Objectives
7. Reminder of Regular Meeting, Monday, February 16, 4 pm
8. Consideration of Executive Session. Upon an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members present, the San Juan Water Conservancy District will go into executive session pursuant to section 24-6-402(4) of the Colorado Revised Statutes to discuss matters concerning the transfer or sale of real, personal or other property interest pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(a) of the Colorado Revised Statutes, discussion of positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and instructing negotiators pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S., all regarding the potential sale of the Running Iron Ranch on the initiative of the Pagosa Area Water & Sanitation District and related litigation (Case No. 24CV30069 filed in Archuleta County District Court), settlement negotiations, mediation, and public statements.
SAN JUAN WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
By /s/ Sally High
Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors
DISTRICT SEAL
Notice of Special Meeting, January 12
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the San Juan Water Conservancy District (SJWCD) is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026, at 4 PM (Mountain Standard Time).
The meeting will be at the SJWCD office at 4670 W Highway 160 Suite A2, Pagosa Springs, CO. The SJWCD Board may require an Executive Session and discussion of shared documents related to the agenda below. This meeting is in-person, but may be attended by Zoom.
Use the link below to connect to the scheduled Zoom meeting. Only the SJWCD Attorney and Directors will be on Zoom during the Executive Session. The public may be admitted before and following Executive Session. Any unknown Zoom attendee will be asked to identify him/herself before being admitted to the meeting.
SJWCD is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: SJWCD Special Meeting
Time: Jan 12, 2026 04:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83198030018?pwd=3RygWiVBItERaT03GEtDK29qT1kT9P.1
Meeting ID: 831 9803 0018
Passcode: 092542
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Proposed Agenda for the Regular Meeting is as follows:
1. Call to Order
2. Revisions to Agenda and Approval of Agenda
3. Disclosures of Conflict of Interest
4. Opportunity for Public Comment (limit to 3 minutes)
5. Executive Session. Upon an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members present, the San Juan Water Conservancy District will go into executive session pursuant to section 24-6-402(4) of the Colorado Revised Statutes to discuss:
A. matters concerning the transfer or sale of real, personal or other property interest pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(a) of the Colorado Revised Statutes, for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions and to discuss strategy with the District’s attorney pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(b), C.R.S., and to determine positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and instructing negotiators pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S., all regarding the potential sale of the Running Iron Ranch on the initiative of the Pagosa Area Water & Sanitation District and related litigation (Case No. 24CV30069 filed in Archuleta County District Court), settlement negotiations, and public statements.
B. matters concerning water rights cases pursuant to section 24-6-402(4) of the Colorado Revised Statutes for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(b), C.R.S., and to determine positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, and instructing negotiators pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(e), C.R.S., all regarding pending water rights cases, settlement negotiations, and public statements.
6. Consideration of Actions regarding the Running Iron Ranch and Related Litigation (Case No. 24CV30069 filed in Archuleta County District Court), settlement negotiations, and public statements.
7. Attorney’s Report
8. Consideration of Actions regarding Water Rights Cases
9. Treasurer’s Report
10. Consideration of Town request for Letter of Support for CWCB WSRF Grant to repair flood damage
11. Updates on RJH Reservoir Engineering Project (Riehm and Cooper)
12. Updates on SJWCD’s Watershed Restoration (Monica Nigon)
13. Updates from Directors
- SJHFHP news (Hagberg)
- Other updates
14. Consideration of Revising Strategic Objectives
2025 Strategic Objective 1: Redefine the financial partnership for Running Iron Ranch. (Directors Tedder, Riehm, Cooper, Proffitt)
2025 Strategic Objective 2: Make the case for a reservoir at RIR by defining feasibility and demand. (Directors Cooper, Hagberg, Kappelman)
2025 Strategic Objective 3: Engage with the community, including PAWSD, on a project that advances a common community interest, like a planning/municipal water demand study and/or wildfire mitigation (Directors Hagberg, Nobles, Nossaman, Tedder)
15. Approval of Record of Proceedings from 12/10/25 Regular Meeting
16. Consideration of 2026 Meeting Dates – Third Mondays
Feb. 16; Mar. 16; Apr. 20; May 18; June 15; July 20; Aug. 17; Sept. 21; Oct. 19; and Nov. 16; and Dec. 14 (second Monday)
17. Adjournment
SAN JUAN WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
By /s/ Sally High
Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors
DISTRICT SEAL
Notice of Work Session, December 18
San Juan Water Conservancy District scheduled a public work session at 3 pm on Thursday, December 18. The location is 4760 West Highway 160. An Executive Session will allow Directors to confer with their attorney about Running Iron Ranch litigation. Any action will be taken after Executive Session. Members of the public will be placed in the Zoom waiting room or asked to leave the meeting during Executive Session.
Topic: SJWCD Work Session
Time: Dec 18, 2025 03:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84280067611?pwd=bH0nFpPcL5VoNQyau0J6kB3TEBBh6F.1
Meeting ID: 842 8006 7611
Passcode: 441517
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