Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting – December 8, 2025

The Pueblo City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, approval of routine consent items, a contested emergency sewer repair contract, a major engineering services contract, a zoning change for a six-unit multifamily development, and final passage of several annual ordinances. All votes were 7-0 except one 6-1 vote on the emergency repair contract.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Planning and Zoning Commission minutes from October 8, 2025 (Item L1).
• Confirmed appointments of Mary Beth Roth, Tony Montoya, and Mike Ricottone to the Pueblo Municipal Golf Course Enterprise Advisory Committee for three-year terms expiring December 1, 2028 (Resolution M2).
• Ratified appointments of Pueblo Regional Building Department Commission members as temporary members of the Southern Colorado Building Department Commission (Resolution M4).
• Ratified appointments of current Pueblo Regional Building Department Boards of Appeal members to serve as Boards of Appeal members for the Southern Colorado Building Department (Resolution M5).
• Passed on first presentation an ordinance approving a Delegation Agreement between the City and the Pueblo Area Council of Governments (PACOG) for 2026 transportation planning services (Ordinance N2).
• Passed on first presentation an ordinance designating 330 South City Park Avenue (City Park BathHouse) as a Local Historic Landmark (Ordinance N3).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Carmel Quintana Hall (speaking in Public Forum) asked how to get on the ballot for mayor despite a prior felony DUI conviction, stating she wants to open facilities to help the homeless. She requested the council’s guidance on the process.
• Kim Dante (Public Forum) urged the city to look forward on energy, noting Black Hills Energy remains the most expensive electric utility in Colorado. She warned against keeping coal plants open under the Federal 202 Act, risking $18 million in just transition money, and cautioned about data center incentives that could burden residents.
• Elvis Martinez (on Zoom, Public Forum) raised concerns about ethics complaints, alleged retaliation (vandalism of his car following complaints), the purchase of the PBR building (calling it a waste of taxpayer money and noting unknown LLC ownership), and blighted properties on Northern Ave and W. 29th St. He also called for an ethics commission.
• Michael Escobedo (on Zoom, later during Item Q1) expressed strong support for the 24th Street Bridge consultant contract, calling it “the best item you guys had in a long time.” He hoped for a 7-0 vote and noted the bridge construction may not occur until 2028.
• Elvis Martinez (on Zoom, during Item S4) spoke in favor of the School Resource Officer agreement but questioned whether it needed amendment to cover the new Hyde Park middle school (name unknown).

Discussion Items

Item M1 – Emergency Sanitary Sewer Point Repair Contract (Resolution)

• Council considered a resolution ratifying an emergency construction contract with Parker Excavating, Inc. for $191,903.17 for a sanitary sewer point repair at 101 W Riverwalk (Project 24-033).
• Staff reported the repair addressed a collapsed line caused by the weight of the PBR bowl, along with unforeseen utility conflicts requiring a change order of $112,165.17.
• Councilor Gomez questioned the large change order increase and expressed concern about change order abuse in government contracting. Staff explained the original scope increased due to undisclosed underground utilities and the need for quick restoration during an emergency.
• Vote: 6-1 (Councilor Gomez dissenting). Passed.

Item Q1 – Engineering Services for 24th Street Bridge and Downtown Corridor (Resolution)

• Staff presented a resolution awarding a $3,396,234.31 professional engineering services agreement to Bolton & Menk, Inc. for Project No. 25-002 (planning consultant for the 24th Street Bridge and Downtown Corridor). This is the third phase of the West Side Connector Project, funded by a RAISE grant received in 2022. The work includes design, right-of-way planning, and NEPA environmental review.
• Public speaker Michael Escobedo urged approval, noting the long wait for this bridge.
• Vote: 7-0. Passed.

Item R1 – Zoning Change from R2 to R5 (Quasi-Judicial Hearing)

• An ordinance to rezone a 0.34-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Madison Avenue and Pitkin Avenue from R-2 (Single-Family Residential) to R-5 (Multiple-Residential and Office) to allow a six-unit multifamily development.
• Staff reported the site is undeveloped, adjacent to single-family homes and the RMSER Empowerment Center. The Comprehensive Plan designates the area as Urban Neighborhood, allowing 6–16 units per acre. The proposed six units fall within that range, with nine off-street parking spaces behind the building. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 6-1.
• Applicant Michael Escobedo and architect Paul Glenn testified in favor, stating the project targets workforce housing (young professionals, traveling nurses, interns), will be tastefully designed, and will include off-street parking and trash service. Councilor Flores noted the Escobedo family’s long history of quality development in Pueblo.
• Councilor Boston asked about prior neighbor concerns regarding parking and maintenance; the applicant said he had spoken with neighbors and assured the project would not be low-income and would be well-managed.
• Vote: 7-0. Passed.

Item S1 – Fiscal Year 2026 Staffing Ordinance

• Ordinance establishing authorized personnel positions for FY2026, setting 848 full-time authorized positions (no new positions, 7 positions abolished, 24 unfunded frozen vacancies). Salary costs previously approved in the 2026 budget.
• Vote: 7-0.

Item S2 – Classification and Pay Plan for FY2026

• Ordinance amending the municipal code to set pay levels for 2026, reflecting union agreements and an across-the-board increase for appointed/exempt management. Includes new state minimum wage of $15.16/hour effective January 1, 2026.
• Vote: 7-0.

Item S3 – Adoption of 2024 Colorado Model Traffic Code

• Ordinance repealing and replacing Title 15, Chapter 1 of the Pueblo Municipal Code with the Colorado Model Traffic Code (2024 Revision 1.0), including updates to parade permits and parking penalties at bus stops.
• Vote: 7-0.

Item S4 – School Resource Officer Agreement with Pueblo School District 60

• Ordinance approving an agreement for the SRO program from January 1 to December 31, 2026, providing 10 officers to high schools, middle schools, and Paragon Learning Center. No additional burden or staffing for the city.
• Vote: 7-0.

Item S5 – CDOT Access Permit Agreement (Amendment)

• Ordinance approving a CDOT access permit for DTV Pueblo & Gretna, LLC and TBAZ, LLC (developers east of Minnequa Park). Due to a technical publishing error, the published version referenced a state fair agreement. Councilor Boston moved to amend Section 1 to correctly describe the CDOT access permit agreement.
• Vote on amendment then on the ordinance as amended: 7-0.

Item S6 – MOU with Intervention Community Corrections Services for PREA Compliance

• Ordinance approving a Memorandum of Understanding between Intervention Community Corrections Services and the Pueblo Police Department regarding compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act. The MOU clarifies investigation procedures without adding burden to the police.
• Vote: 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Emergency Sewer Repair (M1): Contract ratified with a 6-1 vote; Councilor Gomez voted no due to concerns over the change order.
• 24th Street Bridge Engineering (Q1): $3.4 million consultant contract approved 7-0.
• Rezoning for 6-unit Development (R1): Zoning change approved 7-0; development will proceed subject to building permits.
• FY2026 Staffing and Pay (S1, S2): Both ordinances passed 7-0, setting 848 authorized positions and new pay scales including $15.16 minimum wage.
• Traffic Code Update (S3): Adopted 7-0.
• SRO Program (S4): Approved 7-0 for 2026.
• CDOT Access Permit (S5): Ordinance amended and approved 7-0.
• PREA MOU (S6): Approved 7-0.
• Adjournment: Council President Aliff reminded residents to spay/neuter and microchip pets during the holiday season.