Meet David Harris
Pagosa Springs’ new Town Manager, David Harris, officially started in his new role on Monday, November 13. David and his family relocated from Texas to Pagosa Springs for the position, but with roots in southwest Colorado and annual trips to the Centennial State, David says that Pagosa Springs already feels like home. Get to know him a bit better through our Q&A below:
What got you interested in the Town Manager position in Pagosa Springs?
My love of Colorado began at an early age. I believe I caught the bug from my parents. My father grew up in Colorado Springs and lived there with my mother soon after they graduated college. They have fond memories of skiing at Monarch Mountain as newlyweds before returning to Baylor University in Waco for my father to attend law school and my mother to teach high school. We settled in San Antonio, where my brother and I grew up. Over the years, my parents made it a point of taking us on ski trips throughout Colorado and sending us to summer camp in Estes Park.
My introduction to Pagosa Springs came in the 1980s in high school when our church youth group would take annual ski trips to Wolf Creek, staying at the Sonlight Christian Camp. Fast forward to the early 2000s, my parents bought property and built a cabin in the northern part of San Miguel County, north of Telluride. Almost every vacation during the past 20-someodd years has been in southwest Colorado. I even met my spouse in Durango in 2017!
Since graduate school in the mid-90s, I have been involved in local government. We were excited when the Town posted the opening for Town Manager, and I jumped at the opportunity. We are excited to settle in southwest Colorado, which already feels like home!
What Town projects or initiatives are you most excited to work on?
That is a tough question…there are so many. I know the community has many projects in the works, from upgrading infrastructure and streets to tackling workforce housing to maintaining parks, trails and the cemetery. These are all important projects vital to the community's long-term health.
The Mayor, Council, staff and I look forward to working with area leaders around the state, county, region, school district, fire district, and hospital district to achieve these projects and more.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months or year on the job?
Wow. That is another tough question. At work, I hope to understand the history behind what we do as a Town and why. I plan on being active in the community…and figuring out how the office coffee maker works.
What are you looking forward to the most in your new role?
Pagosa Springs is blessed to have such a high-caliber Mayor, Councilmembers, and staff. I am walking into an organization that has a strong tradition of excellence. Everyone takes pride in delivering quality services to residents, businesses, and visitors…and it shows. I truly am honored to serve in this role and bring my 27 years of experience in local government collaboration to the community.
What do you like to do with your time outside of work?
We enjoy spending time with our dogs, family and friends, hiking, skiing, eating out, and cooking at home. We have been active in church and Rotary back in San Antonio and plan on getting involved and setting down roots here.
It may be too soon to choose, but do you have a favorite place or activity in Pagosa Springs?
We are excited to be in an area with four seasons, great hiking, outstanding skiing and awesome beer!
Is there anything else you'd like readers of the Town newsletter to know?
I have always believed in giving back to the organizations that helped me grow personally and professionally, as well as mentoring our future leaders. I have been active in many state-wide organizations, including serving as President of the Texas City Management Association in 2017-18 and as a Trustee of the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool from 2018 to 2022. I have been active in Fiesta San Antonio, serving in various roles with its leadership as well as with participating member organizations. I have also served as an adjunct faculty member teaching Finance and Budgeting at St. Mary's University's Master of Public Administration program in San Antonio.
Get in Touch
If you have questions or wish to reach out to David, contact him at dharris@pagosasprings.co.gov. And, if you see him walking his dogs or grabbing a beer in town, be sure to say hello!