1928, Eugene G. Groves. 455 Pagosa St.
Archuleta County's third courthouse, a Denver architect's design, uses naturally heated water from a 170-foot-deep artesian well pumped through a heat exchanger to an otherwise standard system of hot water radiators. When constructed, it was considered one of the most advanced geothermal buildings in the country. Subsequent additions to the original two-story structure have greatly enlarged the original space. By extending the structure down a bank to the San Juan River, the county added basement space exposed on the south and fronting the new river walk. The whole is united by a stucco coating with raised horizontal banding and grouped windows with arched surrounds. Contrasting vertical piers visually divide the long facade into bays.