{"id":21731,"date":"2025-06-23T18:57:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T00:57:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/pagosa-springs-highway-project-affects-businesses-but-they-remain-open\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T22:09:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T04:09:08","slug":"pagosa-springs-highway-project-affects-businesses-but-they-remain-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/pagosa-springs-highway-project-affects-businesses-but-they-remain-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Pagosa Springs highway project affects businesses, but they remain open"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Construction
Construction on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. Work began in March and is impacting some business owners. But they are optimistic the work will be worth it in the end. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

PAGOSA SPRINGS \u2013 Good things come to those who wait \u2013 but waiting is the hard part.<\/p>\n

The town of Pagosa Springs is undergoing a major two-year reconstruction of U.S. Highway 160 through downtown, disrupting daily life and reducing traffic to local shops and restaurants.<\/p>\n

The project will replace asphalt between Second and Eighth streets with concrete and improve traffic flow, fire infrastructure, sidewalks and utilities, said Adair Christensen, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation.<\/p>\n

The work will unfold in two phases, Christensen said. Westbound lanes are closed this summer, and eastbound lanes will close in summer 2026.<\/p>\n

\"Construction
Construction on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

With asphalt torn up, the town can upgrade water, sewer, gas and geothermal lines, as well as communications, electrical conduits and storm drains. Above ground, the town will install new sidewalks, improved crosswalks, ADA-compliant ramps, shade trees and streetlights.<\/p>\n

\"Dallas
Dallas Weaver, owner of Foot Prints shoe store, located at 456 Pagosa St., talks about the effects road construction is having on his business Tuesday in downtown Pagosa Springs. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The construction has resulted in the loss of storefront parking and has made navigating town slightly more difficult, said Dallas Weaver, owner of Foot Prints Shoe Store.<\/p>\n

\u201cI try to see the glass as half full, and our main numbers have been good,\u201d Weaver said. \u201cI\u2019m down 11% compared to where I was last year, and it\u2019s probably due in part to the construction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Weaver said business is better than expected, and the short-term disruption is worth the long-term benefits that come with infrastructure improvements.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the spirit of it all, you can choose to be angry or you can choose to be happy and see the good coming out of the bad,\u201d Weaver said. \u201cIt\u2019s construction, and construction is a mess, but it\u2019ll be beautiful on other side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Tourists
Tourists cross U.S. Highway 160 in downtown Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. Construction began in March and is expected to continue into next summer. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

But for Amanda Jones, owner of San Juan Eatery, the construction has hit harder. She said lost parking outside her restaurant has reduced foot traffic and prompted numerous complaints from customers struggling to access the business.<\/p>\n

\"Eddie
Eddie Tobin and Amanda Jones, owners of San Juan Eatery, 438 C Pagosa St., said on Tuesday that road construction on U.S. Highway 160 is having a negative impact on their business this summer in Pagosa Springs. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

With 53 restaurants in Pagosa, and hers among the most difficult to reach, Jones said customers are more likely to choose easier-to-access options, she said.<\/p>\n

Jones said her business is down 40% \u2013 largely a result of how hard it is to find parking. And though she received a $5,000 business assistance grant from Archuleta County, that\u2019s hardly enough to sustain her through the two-year project.<\/p>\n

\"Construction
Construction on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

To help offset the impact, the town has provided 200 temporary parking spots, said Kathleen McFadden, administrative manager for the Pagosa Springs Community Development Corp. and Main Street coordinator. She said the town is also launching the Cone Zone Care Program to support downtown businesses during construction.<\/p>\n

\"Map
Map of temporary parking in downtown Pagosa Springs. (Courtesy of Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

McFadden works with the Colorado Department of Local Government\u2019s Main Street Program<\/a>, which provides guidance, tools and grants for downtown revitalization projects across Colorado. The Cone Zone Care Program, which McFadden spearheads, is meant to support businesses affected by the project.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause everything has completely changed downtown, we are launching our official campaign to promote community participation and support,\u201d McFadden said. \u201cWhenever the businesses have something that they want us to address, we\u2019re stepping up to be able to do that however we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Traffic
Traffic backs up on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

McFadden said the program is aimed at keeping money flowing downtown during construction and involves a two-part strategy.<\/p>\n

The first part encourages residents to eat and shop downtown, keep receipts and submit them online. Purchases over $100 qualify for a monthly raffle, where participants can win one of three $100 gift cards to local businesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other part of it is just simply, \u2018I commit,\u2019 and that\u2019s for people who may or may not be able to support financially,\u201d McFadden said.<\/p>\n

McFadden said simply being downtown, showing support or posting online about favorite shops or restaurants can help attract visitors and travelers.<\/p>\n

\"Several
Several crosswalks have been closed on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs during construction this summer. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cI would urge people to stop and take in our beautiful downtown, because we are open,\u201d McFadden said. \u201cWe have so much to offer, even with the construction. We have our wonderful, unique storefronts that are downtown. So please take the time to stop and join us, because you won\u2019t regret it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pagosa is Open<\/a>, a local business collaboration, is offering shoppers the Pagosa Passport \u2013 a coupon book full of discounts to shops and restaurants to encourage downtown visits. Passports are available at participating businesses and Sherpa Real Estate.<\/p>\n

\"Rich
Rich and Sue Bertoli walk next to construction occurring on U.S. Highway 160 in the heart of downtown Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. The construction started in March and is affecting several businesses. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cWe really want to make sure that we\u2019re making sure everybody\u2019s smiling as they come through town and understand that it\u2019s a temporary inconvenience for a very welcome, permanent improvement,\u201d said James Dickoff, the town\u2019s development director.<\/p>\n

Jones said more can be done, such as lowering taxes during construction, adding signage and advertising, pursuing grants, hosting Main Street events and opening more crosswalks. But one of the best ways to support businesses, she said, is to shop local.<\/p>\n

\u201cShop downtown, share your experiences with other tourists, stop on Main Street every chance you get,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n

sedmondson@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

A previous version of this story erred in saying that business assistance grants were provided by the town of Pagosa Springs. They were provided by Archuleta County. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"Pops,
Pops, left, and Patrick Gibbons, with Let it Fly, a fly shop at 132 Pagosa St., said road construction has not effected their business noticeably. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Traffic
Traffic backs up on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Construction
Construction on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Construction
Construction on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Construction
Construction on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Construction
Construction on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Let
Let it Fly, a fly shop located at 132 Pagosa Street, with road construction happening in front of the business. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Construction
Construction on U.S. Highway 160 in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

patience amid delays, support for downtown shops<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21732,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[431,576,28,1686,310,1685,69],"naviga_topic":[],"class_list":["post-21731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-business-general","tag-colorado-department-of-transportation","tag-headlines","tag-heavy-construction","tag-pagosa-springs","tag-road-work-and-conditions","tag-u-s-highway-160"],"acf":[],"author_name":"dh_admin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21731"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77436,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21731\/revisions\/77436"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21731"},{"taxonomy":"naviga_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/naviga_topic?post=21731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}