Author: SanJuan Water
SJWCD Updates Strategic Objectives for 2026/2027
Significant progress has been made toward stewarding the publicly owned property at Running Iron Ranch, negotiating a working agreement with Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD), and planning a small reservoir to ensure the future water supply of Archuleta County. For that reason, the Board of Directors of San Juan Water Conservancy District has begun to work with updated Strategic Objective for the remainder of 2026 and all of 2027.
Objective 1. Implement the settlement with PAWSD and Colorado Water Conservation District (CWCB).
Objective 2. Focus on a Water Demand Study and identify funding for the reservoir.
Objective 3. Engage with the community through specific active participation in: Archuleta County Comprehensive Community Plan, Region 9 Community Economic Development Strategy, Wildfire Ready Action Plan, and other community groups active in water issues.
Notice of Temporary Grazing Access
SJWCD invites offers for grazing use of approximately 34 acres on the Running Iron Ranch from 21 August to 15 September 2026. Location is in the SE corner of the Ranch and the exact area is delimited on the attached map. Requirements include erecting new fencing and repairing existing fencing so that cattle are contained within the specified area. SJWCD assumes no liability for damages related to this use. Written lease in form provided by SJWCD required. Invitation for offers closes 5 pm (MT) on 20 August 2026. Please submit offer to Randy Cooper (rcooper.sjwcd@gmail.com).
Notice of Special Meeting, September 21
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, September 21, 2026, at 4 PM (Mountain Standard Time).
The meeting will be held at 4670 West Highway 160 Suite A2, Pagosa Springs, CO. This meeting is in person, but may be attended by Zoom. Use the link below to connect to the scheduled Zoom meeting.
San Juan Water Conservancy District is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: SJWCD Special Meeting
Time: Sep 21, 2026 04:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84490307077?pwd=sbqMhEzkSYBVpvC1q2LCyd6qcNGAt4.1
Meeting ID: 844 9030 7077
Passcode: 627575
One tap mobile
+17193594580,,84490307077#,,,,*627575# US
If an Executive Session is needed, the public will be admitted before and after. Any unknown Zoom attendee will be asked to identify him/herself before being admitted to the meeting.
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. 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), Colorado Revised Statutes 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), Colorado Revised Statutes, all regarding the potential sale of all or part 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), next steps in settlement negotiations, and public statements,
B. matters related to Water Rights decisions.
6. Consideration of actions related to (A.) negotiations regarding sale of all or part of Running Iron Ranch or (B.) Water Rights decisions
7. Attorney’s Report
8. Consideration of Vacant Board Position
9. Treasurer’s Report
10. Consideration of Settlement Agreement with PAWSD
11. Consideration of Retaining Davis Engineering for Ranch-related Work
12. Consideration of Other Professional Services for Ranch-related Work
13. Consideration of Ranch Maintenance
14. Discussion of County Comprehensive Plan
15. Discussion of Forage Lease
16. Discussion of CWCB Water Plan Grant Funding, Water Supply Reserve Fund
17. Updates from Directors
-
San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership (Directors Tedder and Hagberg) • 2-3-2 Partnership Meeting, September 8 & 9 (Directors Hagberg, Jones)
-
Other items of interest
18. Discussion of 2026/2027 Strategic Objectives (if necessary)
Objective 1. Implement the settlement with Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) and Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB).
Objective 2. Focus on a Water Demand Study and identify funding for the Reservoir.
Objective 3. Engage with the community through specific active participation in:
a. Archuleta County Comprehensive Community Plan
b. Region 9 Community Economic Development Strategy
c. Wildfire Ready Action Plan
d. others as appropriate
19. Consideration of Approval of revised Record of Proceedings from August 17 Regular Meeting
20. Reminder of next Regular Meeting, Monday, October 19, 4 pm. Reminder to send the SJWCD Executive Assistant agenda items and relevant documents prior to scheduled board meeting.
SAN JUAN WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
By /s/ Sally High
Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors
DISTRICT SEAL
Notice of Regular Meeting, August 17
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, August 17, 2026, at 4 PM (Mountain Standard Time).
The meeting will be held at 4670 West Highway 160 Suite A2, Pagosa Springs, CO. This meeting is in person, but may be attended by Zoom. Use the link below to connect to the scheduled Zoom meeting.
San Juan Water Conservancy District is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: SJWCD Regular Meeting
Time: Aug 17, 2026 04:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89638740421?pwd=4RGQegvsInT1JuBxszIbiK0KHx9m26.1
Meeting ID: 896 3874 0421
Passcode: 857700
One tap mobile
+17193594580,,89638740421#,,,,*857700# US
If an Executive Session is needed, the public will be admitted before and after. Any unknown Zoom attendee will be asked to identify him/herself before being admitted to the meeting.
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. 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), Colorado Revised Statutes 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), Colorado Revised Statutes, all regarding the potential sale of all or part 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), next steps in settlement negotiations, and public statements,
B. matters related to Water Rights decisions.
6. Consideration of actions related to negotiations regarding sale of all or part of Running Iron Ranch
7. Attorney’s Report
8. Consideration of Vacant Board Position
9. Treasurer’s Report
10. Consideration of Water Operations Study payment schedule from RJH
11. Discussion of Forage Lease
12. Discussion of CWCB Water Plan Grant Funding, Water Supply Reserve Fund
13. Updates from Directors
-
San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership, next meeting Friday, August 21 (Directors Tedder and Hagberg)
-
2-3-2 Partnership Meeting, September 8 & 9, Sombrilla Springs Ranch, Pagosa Springs (Director Hagberg)
-
Watershed Enhancement Partnership event, August 19 (Director Tedder)
-
Archuleta County Land Use Plan Public Meeting, August 12 (Director Jones)
-
Other items of interest
14. Discussion of 2026/2027 Strategic Objectives (if necessary)
Objective 1. Implement the settlement with Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) and Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB).
Objective 2. Focus on a Water Demand Study and identify funding for the Reservoir.
Objective 3. Engage with the community through specific active participation in:
a. Archuleta County Comprehensive Community Plan
b. Region 9 Community Economic Development Strategy
c. Wildfire Ready Action Plan
d. others as appropriate
15. Consideration of Approval of Record of Proceedings from July 20 Special Meeting
16. Reminder of next Regular Meeting, Monday, September 21, 4 pm. Reminder to send the SJWCD Executive Assistant agenda items and relevant documents prior to scheduled board meeting.
SAN JUAN WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
By /s/ Sally High
Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors
DISTRICT SEAL
Extreme Drought, Red Flag Warnings, Stage 2 Water Restrictions: Water Is Life
SJWCD urges Archuleta County residents to conserve water, follow fire restrictions, and be safe this holiday season.
Notice of Special Meeting, July 20
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, July 20, 2026, at 4 PM (Mountain Standard Time).
The meeting will be held at 4670 West Highway 160 Suite A2, Pagosa Springs, CO. This meeting is in person, but may be attended by Zoom. Use the link below to connect to the scheduled Zoom meeting.
If an Executive Session is needed, the public will be admitted before and after. Any unknown Zoom attendee will be asked to identify him/herself before being admitted to the meeting.
San Juan Water Conservancy District is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
SJWCD is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: SJWCD Special Meeting
Time: Jul 20, 2026 04:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81423794607?pwd=oylE2rReuyXBTUu5AoZvB6XbbWuF3K.1
Meeting ID: 814 2379 4607
Passcode: 118613
—
One tap mobile
+17193594580,,81423794607#,,,,*118613# 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. 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, 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), Colorado Revised Statutes 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), Colorado Revised Statutes, all regarding the potential sale of all or part 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), next steps in settlement negotiations, and public statements.
6. Consideration of actions related to negotiations regarding sale of all or part of Running Iron Ranch
7. Attorney’s Report
8. Consideration of Stipulation / Proposed Decree of DFM East Fork LLC Water Rights Case
9. Consideration of Vacant Board Position
10. Treasurer’s Report
11. Discussion of Relocating Office to First Southwest Bank Building
12 Discussion of Running Iron Ranch Maintenance and Planning
13. Consideration of Finalizing and Adopting the 2026-27 Strategic Objectives
14 Consideration of “Water Operations Study” proposal from RJH engagement (Director Cooper)
15. Updates from Directors
- San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership updates (Directors Tedder and Hagberg)
- Watershed Enhancement Partnership updates (Director Tedder)
- Colorado Water Congress Summer Conference, August 18-20 in Steamboat Springs
- Other items of interest
16. Consideration of Approval of Record of Proceedings from June 15 Special Meeting
17. Reminder of next Regular Meeting, Monday, August 17, 4 pm. Reminder to send the SJWCD Executive Assistant agenda items and relevant documents prior to scheduled board meeting
SAN JUAN WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT
By /s/ Sally High
Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors
DISTRICT SEAL
Notice of Regular Meeting, June 15
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, June 15, 2026, at 4 PM (Mountain Standard Time).
The meeting will be held at 249 Navajo Trai l Dr ive in the Conference Room of First Southwest Bank, Pagosa Springs, CO. This meeting is in person, but may be attended by Zoom. Use the link below to connect to the scheduled Zoom meeting.
An Executive Session will be necessary. The public will be admitted before and after . Any unknown Zoom attendee will be asked to identify him/herself before being admitted to the meeting.
San Juan Water Conservancy District is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: SJWCD Regular Meeting
Time: Jun 15, 2026 04:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j /87323306934?pwd=bmAsEcZmWVFTQloziRRHe9yeWBZWCm.1
Meeting ID: 873 2330 6934
Passcode: 614586
One tap mobile
+17193594580,,87323306934#,,, ,*614586# 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. 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) on specific legal questions and to discuss strategy with the District’s attorney pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(b), Colorado Revised Statutes 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), Colorado Revised Statutes, all regarding the potential sale of all or part 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), next steps in 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), Colorado Revised Statutes 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 water rights applications due by SJWCD and PAWSD on or before August 31, 2026.
6. Consideration of actions related to negotiations regarding (A.) Sale of all or part of Running Iron Ranch (B.) Water Rights Cases
7. Attorney’s Report
8. Consideration of Expiring Board Terms
9. Treasurer’s Report
10. Consideration of Relocating Office to First Southwest Bank Building
11. Discussion of 2026-27 Strategic Objectives
12. Discussion of continuing RJH engagement (Director Cooper)
13. Discussion of Running Iron Ranch maintenance and Park Ditch Annual Meeting
14. Updates from Directors
-
San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership updates (Director Tedder and Hagberg)
-
Watershed Enhancement Partnership updates (Director Tedder)
-
Other items of interest