Sample Emails:

 I am a Resident and Voter in Archuleta County and my business depends on the tourism revenues that come into our community. Vacation Rentals are a vital component many of our Tourists want and look for when they visit here. I am AGAINST further restrictions and higher taxes and fees on Vacation Rentals. My business would suffer if we lose visitors due to further restrictions and costs. 

 I am a Resident and Voter in Archuleta County and my job depends on the tourism revenues that come into our community. Vacation Rentals are a vital component that many of our Tourists want and look for when they visit here. I am AGAINST further restrictions and higher taxes and fees on Vacation Rentals. 

 Vacation Rentals are a vital component that many of our Tourists want and look for when they visit here. I am a property owner in Archuleta County and I am AGAINST further restrictions and higher taxes and fees on Vacation Rentals. 

We are currently full-time residents of Pagosa and have been for the past eight years. My husband is a lineman for LPEA and I am a full-time student online. We have owned four properties since moving to Pagosa, one of which was STR Condo 3061 from 2017-2020. Here is my rebuttal toward the diatribe against short term vacation rental owners in this town.

I adore Telluride. I'd live there in a heartbeat. I'd work three jobs if I had to. But even then, I wouldn't be able to afford it. Does that mean I should go into Telluride and cry to the town govt that they should restrict property owners rights because it's not fair that Joe Schmo gets to own three properties when I don't have any? And it's not fair that he can rent out two of them short term! And it's not fair that he barely even stays in his third, leaving it vacant most of the year! 

According to comments I'm reading on some PS social media pages, there are an overwhelming amount of complaints aimed at property owners and how they shouldn't be able to spend or invest their hard earned money (or heaven forbid inheritance!) in this town how they see fit. Oh no! They should feel obligated to turn their str's into long term rentals and then rent them at incredulously low rates (after all, if he's got that much money, he should be able to pay for any remaining monthly mortgage payment, insurance, taxes, association dues and expenses out of his own pocket) because it's abhorrent to neglect those who haven't saved for years, worked on their credit, and who want something for (next to) nothing. 

Folks, it's not the responsibility of private property owners to fill the gaps left by local government! It is the town and county govts responsibility to work with developers to bring them in and plan our neighborhoods! Incentivize! Look at deed restricted housing developments in other ski towns (Silverton built a successful development in the early 2000's)! Educate the public that short term rentals are not the problem. 

Short term rentals are bringing business to this town. Families no longer want to stay in hotels. Tourism trends show STR availability significantly influences first time guests. STRs are the first impressions that welcomes our guests and makes them stay longer. These guests spend money at the restaurants and stores. The lodging taxes are taken directly out and sent to the town/county. Those funds pay for amazing things in this town. The STR owners employ management, contractors and designers for remodels (which helps increase property values!), housekeepers, lawn/snow services, etc. 

It is a fundamental right to use our property how we see fit. In America, everyone has the opportunity to own property. It may mean living somewhere that isn't your ideal location where you can afford to stash away money from every check for awhile (like we had to do to own property in Pagosa) until you're able to afford your dream location but you can do it! Your "why" just needs to be bigger than your circumstance and you'll stay motivated to see it through! 

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXX

February 15, 2021

Dear Archuleta County Commissioners,

I have dreamed about living in Colorado since I visited for the first time when I was in high school. My husband and I have skied here over the past eighteen years, always finding a nice short-term rental for us and kids. Of course, we fed and clothed everyone and did all of the tourist-y stuff, blowing our vacation budget and adding to the economy and just having a blast!

We got a chance to buy a townhouse in Pagosa Springs by selling most of our other assets and putting all of our eggs into one basket, so to speak. In 2020, we remodeled and furnished the three/four bedroom townhouse, with much of the materials from local businesses. And, we bought all of our groceries and sundries for the townhouse HERE in Pagosa Springs. Tacking on an addition $1800 a year plus a $100/bedroom upcharge would crush an entire month of income. We plan to move here in two years. We are saving our profit to replace the 36 year-old windows in our place, of course, hiring a local company to do the work. Once we are here full time, we will be working and continuing to contribute to the Archuleta County economy.

Our short term guests began staying in September. We have received five star ratings each month for the comfort and ease of staying in our home. Of course, they spent money on food, skiing, clothes, and gasoline. We are living here in February 2021 to enjoy the weather, continue to tweak furnishings and continue household maintenance, and spend money playing with our friends. It's a WIN-WIN situation.

Here's a list of our direct contributions to the Archuleta County economy:

 PSpring/Summer 2020 and February 2012 Expenses

    Holy Smokes (Gas fireplace install and prep work)      4340.00                                                                   

    Precision Granite                                                          3702.00

    Alpine Excavation (Gas line excavation and install)     1600.00

    Ty Faber (Plumber for gas fireplace connection)          not sure                                        

    Ponderosa Lumber  500.00

    Terry's Ace Hardware  1051.00

    Pagosa Sears Hometown Appliance                              800.00

    Refurnish Pagosa -                                                      2100.00

    Pagosa Springs Humane Society purchases               1000.00

    Pagosa Springs Humane Society donations                 (furniture, refrigerator, oven, two microwaves, assorted  

 household goods)

    Crossfire Aggregate Service                                        207.00                                          

    WalMart  869.00

    Camino Real    300.00

 Wedgewood Villas POA dues     3339.00

    ITrip - Pagosa Springs  2407.00

 (various services performed by local residents)

    Travelers Insurance (Mackey insurance)                        658.00

    PPOA                                                                            2164.00

    Fuel (Local purchases)  570.00

    Memory Lane                                                                  160.00

GRAND TOTAL OF OUR DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR THE PAST 10 MONTHS:  $25,767.00

I have not included fees for recycling, landfill fees, or Short-term rental fees charged by Archuleta County. Also, I did not include restaurant spending (with COVID, who can remember?) or typical grocery shopping trips. I don't have any idea how much our guests spent, but I'm sure they blew their vacation budgets, too! (Especially the people who totaled their car hitting an elk, had to stay extra nights, and had to rent a van to get home.)

Please consider what we short-term rental owners contribute to the economy. We love Pagosa Springs and would not have bought here if we didn't want to live here.

Thank you,

XXXXXXX - Future neighbors (2023)