What's New

Colorado Master Gardener 2012
Colorado Master Gardener/Colorado Gardener Certificate, CMG/CGC, training is offered via distance education at the local county Extension office. Applications are due December 30, 2011.

The typical basic curriculum includes ten weeks (60 hours) of classroom instruction. Classes are held January through April, one day per week, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an hour for lunch.

Participants may enroll as CMG volunteers (that is apply to become a CMG volunteer). CMG activities include the training class plus 50 hours minimum volunteer CMG service.

The training is also available without a volunteer commitment (classroom training only) for a higher fees as Colorado Gardener Certificate Students.

Applications are due December 30, 2011 to the Archuleta County Extension Office
Click Here for the Colorado Master Gardener Cover Letter
Click Here for the Tentative Schedule in Archuleta County
Click Here for the Colorado Master Gardener Application

Call the Archuleta County Extension Office if you have any questions. 264-5931

Myrtle Spurge
Myrtle spurge is designated as a “List A” species in the Colorado Noxious Weed Act. It is designated for statewide eradication.
Myrtle spurge contains a toxic, milky sap which can cause severe skin irritations, including blistering. This plant is poisonous if ingested; causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Wearing gloves, long sleeves, shoes, and eye protection is highly recommended when in contact with myrtle spurge, as all plant parts are considered poisonous.
For more information visit www.colorado.gov/ag/weeds and click on the Noxious Weed Management Program. Or call Archuleta County Weed and Pest Control at 970-264-6773.

Garden Success Submissions Wanted
The CSU Extension Office in Archuleta County is compiling information concerning vegetable & herb gardening to be published in a new document, Successful Gardening in Pagosa Country, which will be available at the Extension Office in the Spring of 2011. We encourage locals to submit entries for this publication to help gardeners be aware of edibles that can be grown in our area. Multiple and single submission forms can be picked up at the Extension office or on-line at www.archuleta.colostate.edu.

Information to be collected includes: vegetable name; seed packager; variety name; where planted (raised bed, in ground, grow dome, greenhouse, cold frame, etc); number of years grown; elevation and aspect would also helpful because of our varying micro-climates.

Multiple Submission Form in PDF
Single Submission Form in PDF

Help Grow the County Fair
Archuleta County is looking for people to join the Fair Board to help plan the 2012 Fair - our 61st Anniversary. The dates for the fair will be August 2nd - 5th, 2011. There will lots of new and exciting things planned as well as the return of many old favorites for this years' Fair. Some activities where you can help include: Entertainment, Education Tent, Lee Sterling Chili Cook-Off, Advertising, Sponsors and Fair Royalty. The Fair Board will continue to emphasize the importance of the root of our fair, which are 4-H and our Western Heritage. We will always be committed to this priority and at the same time we are also dedicated to meeting the needs of our growing community. If you are interested in helping with the 2012 Fair, contact the CSU Extension Office at 264-5931 or e-mail: info@archuletacountyfair.com

Be Prepared!
Preparedness is everyone's job. Not just government agencies but all sectors of society -- service providers, businesses, civic and volunteer groups, industry and neighborhood associations, as well as every individual citizen should plan ahead for disaster. During the first few hours or days following a disaster, essential services may not be available. People must be ready to act on their own.
One of the most overlooked preparedness kits is the car kit. You should have a car kit for each vehicle in your household. You should also try to maintain at least 1/2 a tank of gas during winter weather events. Suggested items include a first-aid kit and manual, fire extinguisher, radio and batteries, non-perishable food stored in a coffee can or other container, bottled water, bag of sand or kitty litter, deicer or salt, shovel and other tools, blankets or sleeping bags, a sundry kit that includes paper and pencil, map, tissues, moist towelettes, plastic bags and essential medications, flashlights and batteries, reflectors or flares, tire repair kit, waterproof matches and candles, jumper cables, tow rope and short rubber hose for siphoning. Be sure to keep copies of important documents that concern your automobile in your glove box. Download the 72-hour Kit information.

Register for Code Red
Seconds count in an emergency! Archuleta County and the Town of Pagosa Springs have instituted the Code RED Emergency Notification System – a high-speed telephone communication service for emergency notifications. You may register your cell phone, unlisted number, voice of IP phone or business phone by clicking here. Listed numbers, those found in the phone book, are automatically added to the system. If you are unsure, please register. If you have any questions please contact the Archuleta County Office of Emergency Management at (970) 731-4799.