Pueblo City Council Meeting - February 10, 2025

The regular meeting of the Pueblo City Council on Monday, February 10, 2025, began with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a proclamation declaring February 17–21, 2025 as Career and Technical Education Week. The council heard public testimony on a range of issues including the proposed municipalization of Black Hills Energy, downtown crime and vandalism, and city finances. Council members discussed the natural medicine ordinance, a special municipal election, and several budget transfers and land-use items. Key votes included the failure of the natural medicine ordinance (5-2) and approval of the special election ordinance (5-2), along with unanimous passage of most consent and regular agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda as distributed (7-0).
• Approved the minutes of the regular meeting of January 27, 2025 (7-0).
• Approved the consent agenda, including seven resolutions (M1–M7) for construction contracts, professional services agreements, and procedural changes, and set ordinances N1–N11 for first presentation (all 7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ted Freeman opposed the municipalization of Black Hills Energy, citing high costs, lack of financial resources, and a history of failed municipalization attempts nationally. He noted that only 5 of 64 such efforts since 2000 succeeded and argued the city cannot afford the process.
• Doug Hatton (owner of 3D Cigars) expressed frustration with rising crime, vandalism, and blight. He reported three break‑ins and one smashed window in three months, costing $7,700 in repairs and $16,000 in security shutters. He argued that moving homeless from the river bottom had dispersed crime citywide, criticized the city’s appearance, and called for new approaches to public safety.
• Elvis Martinez spoke on multiple topics: he opposed a full grocery tax, suggested alternative revenue sources (alcohol/tobacco excise tax, park sales, casino ballot measure, charter amendments, paid downtown parking), and supported further study of municipalization. He also congratulated CTE students and thanked the mayor for a Facebook reply.
• Charlie Fatty (former USW Local 2102 president) discussed the steel mill and PEDCO, alleging PEDCO may represent interests other than Pueblo’s. He claimed his idea for a 200‑MW solar farm was taken by BP and urged the city to consider the Comanche power plant as a bargain. He also built electric tricycles and offered expertise on electric vehicles.
• Diane Dante suggested the council receive regular Public Utilities Commission updates on Black Hills Energy cases.
• Ken Dante supported municipalization, arguing that owning the utility would save ratepayers money long‑term. He criticized the city for dropping its 100% renewable energy pledge and disbanding the Energy Commission, and urged following the feasibility study.

Discussion Items

• Council Member & Mayor Commentary: Councilors and the mayor addressed crime, the Black Hills study, and the special election.
  • Councilor Gomez read a letter about streetlight outages on Union Avenue and bridges, attributing neglect to Black Hills Energy.
  • Councilor Boston expressed optimism about the $300,000 feasibility study, noting it examines more than just municipalization.
  • Councilor Latino emphasized the need for increased police presence and quicker response times, and mentioned a proposed ban on sitting/lying on city streets.
  • Mayor Graham described a meeting with Black Hills Energy where the company raised concerns that municipalization could jeopardize a potential large employer prospect; she viewed this as a threat. She also updated the council on the upcoming PUC hearing regarding Black Hills’ rate increase.
  • Council President Leaf requested that the sheriff be invited to a work session to explain jail booking policies, noting that many offenders are released quickly.
• Natural Medicine Ordinance (R1): The council debated an ordinance regulating natural medicine facilities (healing centers, grow, testing, and manufacturing). Staff presented options for buffering distances of 1,200 and 1,500 feet from schools/daycares, and noted that state law requires local regulation. During public hearing, Elvis Martinez suggested limiting the number of healing centers. Council members expressed divided views: Councilor Gomez opposed allowing any new drug‐related businesses; Councilor Boston argued that passing some restrictions was better than none; Councilor Latino wanted no facilities near schools. The motion to approve the ordinance as written failed (5-2). The council then directed staff to send the ordinance back to the Planning and Zoning Commission with a recommendation for a 1,500‑foot buffer and removal of certain zoning districts.
• Special Municipal Election (R6): The council heard public comment from Campbell Hawkins (Black Hills Energy) who urged rejection, arguing that municipalization is costly and risky, and that the city would lose franchise fees. Ted Freeman questioned the purpose of calling an election without specifying the ballot question. Councilor Martinez clarified that the ballot question (related to municipalization) was addressed in a separate ordinance for first reading (N10). After debate, the motion to approve passed (5-2).

Key Outcomes

• Natural Medicine Ordinance (R1): Failed 5-2; council directed staff to return the ordinance to Planning and Zoning Commission with recommendations for more restrictive zoning and a 1,500‑foot buffer.
• Special Municipal Election (R6): Approved 5-2, setting the election for May 6, 2025.
• Other Regular Agenda Items: All resolutions Q1–Q7 passed: Q1 (budget transfer for a VACAL truck, 7-0), Q2 (amendment for wastewater clarifier design, 7-0), Q3 (design contract for West Side Connector, 7-0), Q4 ($1,000 sponsorship for St. Baldrick’s event, 7-0), Q5 ($1,100 sponsorship for Latino Chamber dinner, 6-1), Q6 ($1,000 sponsorship for Team Pueblo Volleyball, 7-0), Q7 ($2,140.12 reimbursement for Chihuahua delegation, 6-1).
• Ordinance R2 (CDOT trail signage grant): Approved 7-0.
• Ordinance R3 (sale of city lot to Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority for affordable housing): Approved 7-0.
• Ordinance R4 (CSAC amendment with county): Approved 7-0.
• Ordinance R5 (MOU for air quality sensor): Approved 5-2.
• Rezoning ordinances S1, S2, S3: All approved 7-0, allowing commercial reuse of a residential property, conversion of a former liquor store into a triplex, and creation of a second dwelling unit on a lot, respectively.
• Consent Agenda: All resolutions and first‑reading ordinances approved 7-0.