Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting – January 13, 2026

The Pueblo City Council held its regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The agenda and transcript identify the meeting date as Monday, January 12, 2026, while the supplied metadata date is January 13, 2026; this summary uses the supplied date. The council administered oaths to newly elected members, elected 2026 officers, adopted proclamations, heard public comment and public-hearing testimony, approved the consent calendar, and took final action on numerous resolutions and ordinances.

Election of 2026 Officers

• Mark Aliff was elected Council President, receiving 4 votes to Brett Boston’s 3.
• Roger Gomez was elected Vice-President with 4 votes, defeating Ted Hernandez and Brett Boston.
• President Aliff appointed Selena Ruiz Gomez to serve as Work Session Chair.

Special Recognitions

• A proclamation declared January 19, 2026 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Roxana Mack, NAACP President, and Dawn Tripp-Sena, NAACP Secretary, accepted and invited the community to a march from Rawlings Library at noon to the El Pueblo History Museum, followed by speakers, a dancer, and a choir. They noted the event would also mark Colorado’s 150th birthday and the United States’ 250th birthday.
• A proclamation declared January 12, 2026 as Pueblo Crime Stoppers Community Safety Recognition Day. Board President Crystal Estrada accepted and highlighted the all-volunteer board’s anonymous-tip reward work.

Agenda and Minutes

• A motion to amend the agenda, moving items M11 and M18 to the regular agenda and moving item R2 to the end for a recusal, passed 6-1.
• The minutes of the December 22, 2025 regular meeting were approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A speaker criticized two Facebook pages and asserted that the city’s vacant property registration ordinance was not being enforced. The speaker also attempted to submit an ethics complaint against a city employee; President Aliff responded that complaints against employees must be submitted in writing to the mayor or department director, not during public forum.
• A speaker who referred to herself as Sue spoke against ICE enforcement, urged the council to protect constitutional rights and due process, criticized the city’s homelessness response, and said she would participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day march.
• Ronald Furry said vacant buildings are a serious problem, proposed appraising vacant properties at their highest and best use and taxing long-vacant properties at higher rates, and objected to the invocation at the start of meetings.
• Later public hearing testimony is noted with the relevant agenda items below.

Council Member and Mayor Commentary

• Mayor Heather Graham congratulated new council members, reported that the RFQ for an economic development consultant had been released, and updated the small business window repair program: council allocated $50,000, five businesses had been awarded about $3,600, and five additional applications were pending for about $7,800, leaving substantial funds available.
• Councilor Latino said the city council previously granted $200,000 for homeless services, with Catholic Charities operating the program; 20 of 60 initial participants had graduated, three of whom now work for the city and 17 in other full-time jobs.
• Councilor Boston discussed homeless shelter support, the future Allen Hamill Boulevard handicapped access ramp, blight remediation, airport opportunities, and a goal of rebranding city council through collaboration.
• Councilor Gomez noted the previous council voted together 97% of the time and asked the public to lower the temperature around council criticism.
• Councilor Hernandez thanked District 3 voters, city staff, police, and fire personnel, and promised to work to earn support.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved 7-0, covering routine resolutions and ordinances, including construction contracts, fund transfers, board and commission appointments, meeting-posting designations, 2026 construction specifications, and first-presentation ordinances. The consent vote set public hearings for January 26, 2026, and ordered ordinances published by title. Items M11 and M18 had been moved to the regular agenda.

Discussion Items

M11 – City Boards and Commissions Appointments

• The resolution confirming city officials’ appointments to boards and commissions for 2026 passed 5-2. Mayor Graham said she appointed herself to the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority seat, citing ongoing agency turmoil, the need for city accountability, and authority under state law. Councilor Gomez objected to the concentration of power and said he could not verify the mayor’s statements; Councilor Boston supported the appointment as a transition measure.

M18 – Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority Appointment

• The council confirmed Dr. Kathy Deniro to a five-year term on the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority, expiring February 1, 2031, by a 5-2 vote. Mayor Graham said she interviewed all applicants and chose Deniro for institutional knowledge and time commitment. Councilor Gomez criticized the selection process for not being skill-based.

Q1 – Catholic Charities Sponsorship

• The council authorized $1,000 from the council contingencies account to sponsor Catholic Charities of Southern Colorado’s Espiritu Dinner – Mardi Gras Masquerade Casino Royal on February 14, 2026. Staff said the sponsorship tier includes 10 tickets and that the post-approval contingency balance would be $84,000. It passed 7-0.

Quasi-Judicial Proceedings

R1 – 300 W. Abriendo Ave. Rezone

• The council approved, 7-0, a rezoning of 300 W. Abriendo Ave. from R-5 to B-2. Staff reported the 0.65-acre site contains a 1906 historic landmark residence and would support an outdoor auditorium, banquet hall, and bed and breakfast. Zoning Board of Appeals conditions include a 250-person occupancy limit, outdoor concerts only Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., sound-dampening measures, and parking mitigation such as signs and bicycle taxis. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval 7-0. Multiple speakers, including applicant Jeff Bailey and local musicians, supported the venue as a community and economic asset.

R2 – Muniz Sunny Heights Subdivision Filing No. 1

• The council approved, 6-0, the subdivision of a 0.77-acre lot into three residential lots south of Thatcher Avenue and west of South Pueblo Boulevard. Councilor Selena Ruiz Gomez recused herself due to a conflict of interest. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval 7-0.

Ordinances – Final Presentation

• S1 – FTA Operating Grant: Approved, 7-0, the FY2024 Section 5307 operating grant agreement in the amount of $3,181,584 for transit operations, vehicle maintenance, facility maintenance, paratransit, and security.
• S2 – Bus Stop Art MOU: Approved, 7-0, an MOU with the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment for local artists to beautify four bus stops at Central Main Street, Pueblo Community College campus, 24th Street, and 8th and Fountain Street. Staff said the project costs the city no money. Speakers supported community pride, transit ridership, and youth substance-abuse prevention.
• S3 – FHWA Safe Streets for All IGA: Approved, 7-0, an IGA with the Federal Highway Administration and related fund transfer. The agenda lists the federal amount as $959,559; the staff report stated $959,059. The total appropriation, including a $230,069.02 city match, was $1,189,628.02, funding Northern Avenue corridor studies and reflective signal backer plates.
• S4 – Street Repair Utility Fee Suspension: Approved, 7-0, a 12-month suspension of monthly street repair utility charges beginning with January 2026 bills. Staff said the fee had been suspended since 2022, a required rate study had not been performed, and the fee would raise about $2.5 million per year. A motion to postpone the vote was made and then rescinded after staff warned that collecting the fee without the required study could require repayment. A work session was planned.
• S5 – Wildland Fire Mitigation Grant: Approved, 7-0, a grant agreement with Colorado Department of Natural Resources for 12 weeks of SWIFT crew time, focused on the Runyon Lake area.
• S6 – Sexual Assault Response Team MOU: Approved, 7-0, an MOU establishing the Pueblo Sexual Assault Response Team with multiple agencies. Staff said the concept was spearheaded by UC Health Parkview Medical Center employees beginning in 2021.
• S7 – Airport Terminal Transfer from Relocation Project: Approved, 6-1, transferring $1,721,401.66 from the City Council and Department Relocation Project to the Memorial Airport Renovation Project. Staff explained the funds were originally intended for a failed Wells Fargo building purchase. Councilor Gomez voted no, citing timing concerns.
• S8 – Airport Terminal Transfer from Capital Improvement Fund: Approved, 6-1, transferring $4,288,640 from the 1992-2026 Sales and Use Tax Capital Improvement Projects Fund to the airport terminal project. Staff tied the investment to job retention, the future PCC air mechanic training school, and airport economic development. Councilor Gomez again voted no on timing.
• S9 – CDBG/HOME Consolidated Plan Amendment: Approved, 7-0, a substantial amendment to the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan, adding a priority to explore a Section 108 CDBG loan of up to approximately $7.2 million to demolish more than 60 blighted structures, and adjusting other CDBG and HOME allocations, including $43,877.25 for CHDO operating support.
• S10 – 2024 CDBG/HOME Amendment: Approved, 7-0, reprogramming $35,000 to East Side Child Care Center improvements, adding $10,649 for environmental testing, and allocating $44,017 for CHDO operating support.
• S11 – El Pomar Healthy Eating Kitchen Grant: Approved, 7-0, budgeting and appropriating $5,000 from El Pomar Foundation for the Healthy Eating Kitchen Program at El Centro del Quinto Sol.
• S12 – IQor Lease: Approved, 4-3, a lease with IQor US, Inc. for 317 North Main Street. The three-year initial lease includes two three-year renewal options, about 3% annual increases, a starting rate of $7.50 per square foot rising to $9.70 by year-end, and no termination-for-convenience clause. Staff said the rate is below market but helps offset building costs; if IQor left, the city could face about $1.7 million in building expenses.
• S13 – Quick Quack Deposit Agreement: Approved, 7-0, a deposit agreement with QQ Operating Holding Company, LLC for a car wash at Eagleridge and Dillon, allowing the developer to contribute toward the city’s roundabout project instead of installing improvements that would be removed. A public speaker opposed the number of car washes and questioned job creation.
• S14 – CDOT Access Permit Agreement: Approved, 7-0, an access permit agreement with Martinez Property Holdings, Inc. for the future Starbucks development near Mira and Acero/Pueblo Boulevard. Staff said a temporary signal could be installed within months and a permanent signal before further development.
• S15 – NeighborWorks Special Warranty Deed: Approved, 7-0, accepting a 1.75-acre special warranty deed from NeighborWorks Southern Colorado for Fire Station 11.
• S16 – West Northern Avenue Property Purchase: Approved, 5-2, authorizing purchase of 316-322 West Northern Avenue for $99,000 from ARPA interest funds, part of blight remediation. The contract includes 90 days for inspection and due diligence. Public opposition from Alvis Martinez cited vacant-registry non-enforcement, alleged illegal activity, and property condition; Councilor Gomez also opposed, saying real estate purchases should rest more firmly with council.

Communications and Ethics Complaints

• T1: An ethics complaint against former Councilor Regina Maestri was accepted and dismissed 7-0. Staff said it did not state a claim and that Maestri is no longer on council.
• T2: A second ethics complaint against former Councilor Regina Maestri was accepted and dismissed 7-0. Staff said the campaign-finance address issue was a corrected typographical error and did not constitute an ethics violation.

Key Outcomes

• Officers elected: President Mark Aliff; Vice-President Roger Gomez; Work Session Chair Selena Ruiz Gomez.
• Agenda amendment passed 6-1; minutes approved 7-0; consent calendar approved 7-0.
• M11 and M18 each passed 5-2; Q1 passed 7-0.
• R1 passed 7-0; R2 passed 6-0 after recusal.
• S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 passed 7-0; S7 and S8 passed 6-1; S9, S10, S11 passed 7-0; S12 passed 4-3; S13, S14, S15 passed 7-0; S16 passed 5-2.
• Both ethics complaints were dismissed 7-0.
• A work session on street repair utility funding and road maintenance was planned within the following 30 to 60 days.