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Pueblo's city council is grappling with a major decision on the Pope Block Building, as costly data center fiber relocation complicates potential sale plans with looming lease expirations.

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City officials weigh sale, leases and costly data‑center fiber when considering Pope Block disposal
Public Works reported the city reacquired the Pope Block Building in 2014; operations run about $1M/year, multiple leases expire March 2026, and staff warned relocating the building's data‑center fiber could cost millions, complicating potential sale plans.
citizenportal.ai
February 19, 2026 at 12:51 PM
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Mayor Graham's proposed amendments to the half-cent sales tax could transform Pueblo by attracting retail and tourism projects while tackling economic leakage—are you ready to see the city's future unfold?

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Mayor proposes changing half‑cent sales tax criteria to fund placemaking, curb economic leakage
Mayor Graham proposed amending the half‑cent sales tax criteria to allow up to three additional uses (placemaking, preventing economic leakage and economic catalysts beyond primary jobs), with an illustrative 15% annual cap of the unencumbered balance; councilors debated oversight, clawbacks and whether city staff should take a larger role in incentive coordination.
citizenportal.ai
February 19, 2026 at 7:32 AM
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Pueblo's newly reformed Energy Commission is setting the stage for a future of affordable and reliable energy, but what does this mean for your wallet and the community?

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New Energy Commission outlines priorities as council weighs transit and lane-size bills
The reconstituted Pueblo Energy Commission introduced priorities — public education, research on rates and reliability, and advisory work — while city staff and lobbyists briefed council on pending bills including a draft transit bill requiring a 'partner pass' program and a land‑use bill capping minimum lot sizes.
citizenportal.ai
February 19, 2026 at 6:42 AM
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Pueblo is taking bold steps to enhance river access and safety with a master plan linking City Park to Waterworks Park—find out how this could transform your outdoor experience!

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Pueblo City Council hears preferred Arkansas River master plan focused on access, safety and phased projects
City staff and consultants presented a preferred master plan to link City Park, Waterworks Park and Runyon Lake, prioritizing river access, safety and phased projects tied to grants and partner agreements; staff said a supporting resolution will come to council for approval.
citizenportal.ai
February 11, 2026 at 10:09 PM
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Air Race X is proposing to transform Pueblo into a global racing hub with a high-stakes event that could attract up to 50,000 spectators and generate millions in revenue!

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Air Race X pitches international air-racing finals to Pueblo; seeks $1.2 million host payment and expedited council action
Air Race X told the council it can bring an international air-racing event and economic activity to Pueblo but requested a $1.2 million host-city payment and urged a prompt council decision; councilors asked for due diligence on infrastructure, promoter credentials and budget specifics.
citizenportal.ai
February 11, 2026 at 2:23 PM
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Pueblo City Council is facing pivotal changes in housing regulations that could reshape local development and funding—are you ready for what’s coming?

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Consultants brief Pueblo council on housing bills and a proposed fix to Prop 1-23
Alec Romero and Ryan Romero of Capital Success Group flagged two state housing bills—one that would require administrative approval of residential projects on qualifying public/nonprofit sites and another enabling a voter-approved vacancy tax—and described a proposed fix to Proposition 1-23 to tailor housing-growth targets to Pueblo's actual permits and job growth.
citizenportal.ai
January 28, 2026 at 7:17 AM
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Pueblo is tackling a $1.5 million sewer rehabilitation project to combat harmful groundwater infiltration and protect aquatic life—will they succeed before time runs out?

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Pueblo to pursue $1.5 million Basin 3 sewer rehabilitation to reduce selenium infiltration and avoid costly treatment
Wastewater director Andrea Ahrens and Brown & Caldwell engineer Chandler Wilson outlined a Basin 3 sewer rehabilitation project covering about 1,900 feet of sewer and up to 46 laterals, estimated at roughly $1.5 million, to reduce groundwater infiltration of selenium and sulfate; funding would come from the wastewater enterprise fund and no grants were identified.
citizenportal.ai
January 28, 2026 at 6:44 AM
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Pueblo's municipal prosecutor warns that new state rules are overwhelming an already strained legal team, pushing for urgent staffing changes to avoid a crisis in justice.

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Pueblo municipal prosecutor warns state rules and recent case law are overwhelming one-attorney office; city asked to add a prosecutor and paralegal
City municipal prosecutor Garrett Behrens told the Pueblo City Council that state sentencing changes and a recent court ruling have sharply increased trial and discovery work in municipal court, and the city attorney asked council to authorize hiring one prosecutor and one paralegal (estimated $130,000 and $75,000) or to contract for services.
citizenportal.ai
January 28, 2026 at 12:50 AM
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Mayor Heather Graham is taking bold steps to revitalize the blighted Bessemer/West Northern area, proposing significant actions to transform unsafe buildings into community spaces.

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Mayor seeks council approval to use ARPA and TIF tools to clear blight in Bessemer
Mayor Heather Graham introduced two resolutions (M13, M16) and one ordinance (S16) to direct the Urban Renewal Authority to address blighted parcels on West Northern, acquire two adjacent lots and approve purchase of a block using ARPA interest funds for redevelopment and demolition contracts.
citizenportal.ai
January 16, 2026 at 7:12 PM
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Pueblo's finance director claims the city isn't legally bound to pay a disputed $1.4 million in tenant improvement costs, sparking calls for deeper investigation from councilors.

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Finance director says city has no legal obligation to pay $1.4M in alleged overruns; councilors call for further review
Finance Director Danny Nunn told the council that invoices totalling about $1.4 million tied to tenant improvements at 200 Greenhorn are not contractually payable absent a council action because contracts required PDF to absorb overruns; Councilor Gomez, a PDF board member, disputed the handling and requested more documentation and a special meeting.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 3:21 AM
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Pueblo City is taking bold steps to tackle blight by proposing a significant amendment that could unlock up to $7.1 million to demolish and rehabilitate homes in need!

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City staff ask council to add HUD loan guarantee as priority to attack blight; plan could finance demolition of ~60 homes
Housing staff proposed adding HUD Section 108 loan guarantee as a priority to the city’s consolidated plan to finance demolition of around 60 blighted homes; the program could allow borrowing up to about $7.1 million against future CDBG allocations, with estimated interest near 3.88% and a potential 20-year amortization window.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 2:52 AM
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Pueblo Memorial Airport is set to undergo a transformative $6 million renovation, expanding the TSA hold room and enhancing accessibility—could this be the boost the region needs?

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Pueblo airport director seeks $6M for terminal renovation to add TSA-area restrooms, ADA improvements and fire suppression
The airport director presented a four-phase terminal renovation and requested roughly $6 million in city funding (a $1.7M Wells Fargo account allocation plus about $4.28M from half-cent sales tax) to modernize the terminal, expand the TSA hold room and install a sprinkler system; staff said FAA and CDOT studies support the airport’s regional economic role.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 2:47 AM
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Pueblo's Convention Center is set to receive a $2.9 million vendor-fee boost, fueling economic growth and revitalizing downtown after a challenging pandemic period.

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Pueblo officials review $2.9M vendor-fee plan as convention center projects a subsidized 2026
City officials heard a presentation on how an estimated $2.9 million in vendor-fee revenue will be split between debt service and operations for the Pueblo Convention Center and Memorial Hall, with staff projecting a modest operating subsidy covered by vendor-fee funds and continued emphasis on driving hotel room nights and convention business.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 2:32 AM
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Pueblo's Steel City Works Center is on the verge of revitalizing its rich industrial history with a $640,000 grant proposal to restore the museum, while also actively engaging the community to tackle local issues.

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Steel City Works Center of the West seeks National Park Service grant, outlines archives and community work
Steel City Works Center of the West briefed council on CF&I history, a pending National Park Service grant request (~$640,000) for building restoration, extensive archival holdings, and local community programs including Bessemer town halls and collaboration with Rocky Mountain Steel Mill.
citizenportal.ai
November 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
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PEDCO is pursuing a groundbreaking project in southern Pueblo that could create over 300 jobs and attract more than $750 million in investment!

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PEDCO reports active prospects and a potential $750M+ project; councilors press to reinstate economic‑development contract
PEDCO's quarterly briefing outlined prospect activity, target industries and a major prospective southern Pueblo project (300+ jobs, more than $750 million CapEx). Councilor Flores urged the council to reinstate PEDCO's contract rather than rush an RFQ, citing the organization's history and community support.
citizenportal.ai
November 14, 2025 at 9:26 AM
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Pueblo City Council just approved year-round emergency shelter operations at 710 West 4th Street, transforming lives with a welcoming space for those in need!

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Pueblo City Council briefed on year-round emergency shelter rezoning, transit and public-safety updates
City staff told council the city now owns and operates the relief emergency shelter at 710 West 4th Street and that an ordinance rezoned nearby parcels to permit year‑round congregate sheltering; staff also announced transit route changes, parks programs and police activity figures.
citizenportal.ai
November 14, 2025 at 5:52 AM
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Pueblo City Council is on high alert as budget shortfalls threaten local revenue and critical services like healthcare and housing.

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City's lobbyist warns of state budget shortfalls, outlines housing, data‑center and municipal court issues
Gil Romero of Capital Success Group told Pueblo City Council the state faces recurring budget shortfalls and flagged risks to local revenue, Medicaid funding and housing dollars; he briefed council on work with CDPHE on burned/abandoned homes, prospects on data‑center legislation, and municipal court legislation.
citizenportal.ai
November 13, 2025 at 10:50 PM
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Residents passionately urged Pueblo City Council to support the zoo and tackle rising personnel costs, warning of a looming $11.9 million deficit.

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Pueblo budget hearing: Residents press council to support the zoo and address rising personnel costs
At a public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget, zoo staff and supporters pleaded for additional funding while multiple speakers warned about increasing personnel costs, falling reserves and a projected $11.9 million deficit; councilors and residents urged more transparency and explored cuts and hiring freezes.
citizenportal.ai
November 13, 2025 at 4:37 AM
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The Pueblo City Council just approved a significant financial package aimed at revitalizing key projects, including $750,000 for Pope Block maintenance and $500,000 to demolish the blighted Greyhound Park.

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Pueblo City Council approves package of transfers and projects, including Pope Block and Greyhound Park demolition assistance
At its Oct. 27 meeting the council approved multiple resolutions and ordinances: transfers to building upkeep and parks, $750,000 for Pope Block maintenance, $500,000 to incentivize Greyhound Park demolition, an $8 million initial appropriation for Saint Charles Industrial Park infrastructure, and several smaller grants and leases.
citizenportal.ai
November 13, 2025 at 3:08 AM
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Pueblo residents are rallying against a potential collaboration with ICE for deportation flights, urging their city council to protect local values and taxpayer dollars.

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Residents and councilors urge Pueblo City to resist ICE use of Pueblo Memorial Airport after staff outreach
Speakers and some council members pressed city leaders after an email from Aviation Director Greg Perdoza surfaced showing outreach to Freeman Jet Center about potential ICE transport flights. Petitioners urged the council to adopt a policy limiting city facilitation; council members said the cityhas limited legal authority over ICE use but may be
citizenportal.ai
November 12, 2025 at 11:55 PM
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A federal government shutdown has left thousands in Pueblo County facing a SNAP benefits crisis, prompting urgent emergency measures to support struggling families.

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County details emergency plan after federal shutdown halts November SNAP issuance
Pueblo County Department of Human Services told the council that federal shutdown guidance halted November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issuance, affecting about 41,241 residents; the county identified $195,874 in local funds and partner resources to cover immediate gaps.
citizenportal.ai
October 30, 2025 at 9:17 AM
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Local lawyers sound the alarm as ICE and CoreCivic may expand detention operations at Pueblo Memorial Airport, raising serious legal and ethical concerns for the city.

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Local lawyers warn council about possible ICE flights, CoreCivic expansion and legal risks
Speakers told the council that ICE internal memos and private prison postings point to a potential reopening and expansion of the Cuerfano (Cœurfano) County Correctional Facility and possible detention flights into Pueblo Memorial Airport; presenters outlined constitutional risks and state statutory limits on municipal contracts with detention and
citizenportal.ai
October 30, 2025 at 7:36 AM
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Pueblo City's proposed 2026 budget reveals a staggering $11.9 million fund balance decrease, alongside significant personnel changes and ambitious capital projects!

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City presents 2026 proposed budget; staff cite $11.9M projected fund balance decrease and staffing changes
Finance staff presented the proposed 2026 City of Pueblo budget on Oct. 20, outlining an $11.9 million projected decrease in general fund balance, wage and health‑insurance increases, personnel abolishments and capital priorities. The budget will be heard at a public hearing Oct. 27 and returned for readings in November.
citizenportal.ai
October 23, 2025 at 2:58 PM
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Pueblo City is on the verge of transforming a blighted area into a thriving hub with a new Circle K and 45-50 workforce housing units, thanks to a $600,000 city investment!

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Council to Reconsider $600,000 Incentive for Circle K–led Redevelopment of blighted northern site
City staff presented details of a proposed Circle K redevelopment that would pair a new convenience store with 45–50 workforce housing units and use $600,000 in city funds to make the deal feasible. Council voted 5–2 to reconsider the resolution allocating demolition/incentive funds; the item will return to the Oct. 27 agenda.
citizenportal.ai
October 23, 2025 at 1:46 PM
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Pueblo City received a "clean" opinion on its 2024 financial statements, but auditors uncovered significant weaknesses in grant accounting that could impact federally funded programs.

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Auditors give Pueblo a clean 2024 opinion but flag grant-reporting weaknesses
External auditors told the Pueblo City Council they issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the citys 2024 financial statements but identified a material weakness in grant accounting and a separate single-audit reporting failure for a CDBG subrecipient disclosure. Auditors also described implementing GASB guidance on compensated absences and said,
citizenportal.ai
October 16, 2025 at 12:18 AM