Colorado's San Juan River floods Pagosa Springs, forcing evacuations again
The gist
Pagosa Springs ordered mandatory evacuations as the San Juan River was forecast to crest above 20 feet.
Hundreds of homes were already hit by the river's second-highest flood on record.
How it unfolded
- Oct 12, 2025The San Juan River overflowed, prompting a flood evacuation in Pagosa Springs; Highway 160 through downtown closed with a detour before evacuations were lifted and the road reopened.
- Oct 22, 2026Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for 11 counties, and the town declared a local disaster emergency; a mandatory evacuation was issued for low-lying areas at 2:35 p.m. and Highway 160 closed between 5th and 8th streets by 4 p.m.
- Oct 23, 2026The San Juan River peaked at 15.02 feet, the second-highest flood on record for the river, and Archuleta School District schools were closed.