Southwestern Colorado braces for another severe storm

Authorities are urging residents in parts of southwestern Colorado to evacuate immediately ahead of another potentially catastrophic storm that could push the San Juan River to historic levels.

The warnings Sunday morning come as the region is still reeling from last week’s flooding, which damaged roads, bridges and public infrastructure and left communities working to recover.

Residents living in low-lying areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo and Piedra rivers should leave immediately, the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday morning. People should not wait for water to rise or for another warning, the sheriff’s office said.

The San Juan River, which flows through Pagosa Springs, is rising faster than anticipated and could crest as early as 6 p.m., five hours earlier than expected, at a height of up to 19.71 feet, the sheriff’s office warned.

That’s nearly 2 feet higher than the devastating flood of 1911, which wiped out much of what was then the town of Pagosa Springs as it crested to 17.8 feet, the sheriff’s office said. 

Sewage has begun flowing into the river, prompting public health officials to warn residents to keep themselves and their pets away.

All incoming traffic into Pagosa Springs will be prohibited starting at 2 p.m. and re-entry will not be allowed. 

First responders are stationing resources in high-risk areas and requesting additional ground search-and-rescue teams, equipment from the Colorado National Guard, aircraft and specialized rescue teams.

“Our ability to respond during the worst time of this storm will be extremely limited,” the sheriff’s office said. “Helicopters will be grounded, and first responders may not be able to reach people in danger until the storm passes and conditions improve.”

A Colorado Department of Transportation employee walks past a collapsed section of Colorado 151 as seen on Oct. 27, 2026, between Pagosa Springs and Ignacio. Recent heavy rains have caused severe flooding across southwestern Colorado, forcing evacuations and damaging roads and homes. (Cheney Orr, The Colorado Sun via Report for America)

Authorities expect extensive damage from the incoming storm, which comes just a week after flooding tore through the same region. On Saturday, Gov. Jared Polis requested about $27 million in federal aid to help repair public infrastructure damaged in last week’s flooding, including roads, bridges, utilities, parks and recreation facilities.

A flood warning is in effect for the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs, with National Weather Service forecasters in Grand Junction warning of a “particularly dangerous situation” that could bring just as much rain falling in the next 24 hours that fell over a two-day period during last week’s storm. 

Flooding is also forecast for the Mancos, La Plata and Animas Rivers.

“If you are in or around the southern San Juans, now is the time to make a plan and be ready to seek shelter/safer ground should the need arise,” forecasters wrote. 

Residents needing shelter can go to Open Door Church at 110 Trinity Lane in Pagosa Springs. Small animals can be brought to the Humane Society at 465 Cloman Boulevard and larger animals can be brought to the Archuleta County Fairgrounds. 

Mandatory and pre-evacuation orders were also issued for parts of Rio Grande County on Sunday morning, ahead of flooding expected in South Fork, Del Norte and Monte Vista, South Fork Fire Rescue said in an update Sunday.

The risk of flooding is concentrated along the South Fork of the Rio Grande and the Rio Grande downstream. As the water moves through the San Luis Valley, toward Del Norte and Monte Vista, excess runoff can cause rivers, streams and creeks to overflow.

Evacuation shelters have been set up at South Fork Community Building at 254 CO 149 in South Fork and at the Rio Grande Hospital Wellness Center at 310 County Road 14 in Del Norte. Animals can be brought to the McMullen Building in the Ski Hi Complex at 2335 Sherman Ave. in Monte Vista. 

Across Rio Grande and Mineral counties, teams are working to remove debris from the Rio Grande riverbed to protect infrastructure  and help improve water flow to reduce the possibility of new flooding, South Fork Fire Rescue said in a post to its Facebook page Saturday.

In Conejos County, several communities were under mandatory evacuation notices Sunday. An evacuation center was set up at Knights of Columbus Hall in La Jara. Small animals and livestock can be brought to the La Jara Arena. 

“Residents whose properties were impacted during the last flood, especially in the Conejos Canyon, Guadalupe, and Manassa, should expect to be impacted again,” the sheriff’s office said. 

A winter storm warning is in effect for the San Juans above 10,000 feet, where 12 to 18 inches of snow is possible Sunday night through Monday. Farther north, 5 to 10 inches of snow is possible for the Flat Tops and the central Colorado mountains Sunday night and Monday, forecasters said. 

Ahead of the storm, the Wolf Creek Ski Area announced a temporary closure until mandatory evacuation orders in Archuleta County are lifted. 

“All municipal, county, and state agencies are under extreme duress, and as a precautionary measure, Wolf Creek Ski Area has determined it is in the best interest of the public to temporarily be closed,” the ski area said.