Regular City Council Meeting – January 26, 2026

The Pueblo City Council met on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, public forum, council commentary, and votes on multiple resolutions and ordinances. Key actions included approving a mentorming proclamation, adjusting work session and regular meeting start times, and approving several contracts and agreements. A lease for the Pope building failed, and a health department funding agreement was postponed.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission (12/10/2025) – received and filed.
• M1 – Awarded a $163,770 construction contract to Cyclone LLC for abatement and demolition at 1124 West 11th Street and 2810 Berkley Avenue, with $25,000 contingencies.
• M2 – Awarded a $49,382.01 contract to The Tile House, Inc. for flooring replacement at the Pueblo Transit Administration Building, with $7,400 contingencies.
• M3 – Ratified an emergency $31,129.72 contract with Morton Electric, Inc. for traffic signal work at Northern and Prairie.
• M4 – Ratified an emergency $6,987.42 contract with Miller Pipeline, Inc. for sewer repair at 1951 Lake Ave.
• M5 – Confirmed Nicole Cera Cano to the El Centro del Quinto Sol Recreation Center Board through August 31, 2027.
• M6 – Adopted the 2026 Three-Mile Annexation Plan, rescinding prior plans.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elvis Martinez requested a resolution requiring council members to hold at least two town halls per year; raised concerns about City Hall access restrictions, a “service animals only” sign, and a vehicle theft incident; also mentioned a prior campaign finance issue on the city’s Facebook page.
• Fred (Belmont resident) expressed frustration over lack of maintenance of the sound barrier wall on Highway 47 (designed by a local artist, constructed c. 2001), noting overgrown trees and clogged drains. He stated CDOT says it’s the city’s responsibility and the city gives no answers.
• Dave DeSenzo advocated for use of AI agentic tools to reduce staff hours, proposed a resolution to enable Tesla/Waymo cyber cabs in Pueblo, questioned the IQor lease term (suggesting it should align with other Pope building leases), and suggested the city lease the old county jail for municipal inmates.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation: Pueblo Mentoring Celebration Day – January 29, 2026 – Jesse Sena (mental health provider) and Michael Botello (HB 1451 coordinator) accepted the proclamation. The event is free and open to the public at Rawlings Library, 5:30 PM–7:00 PM. Council noted the collaborative’s 2013 formation and its role in supporting youth mentoring.
• Q1 – Mariposa Center for Safety Sponsorship – Staff reported $500 requested for the “Ode to Chocolate Indulgence” (March 13, 2026). Public comment suggested raising to $800. Councilor Gomez moved to increase to $800, citing improved transparency from the non-profit. Passed 7–0.
• Q2 – Latino Chamber of Commerce Sponsorship – $1,000 for the 47th Annual Dinner Dance (Feb 28, 2026). Passed 7–0.
• Q3 – Work Session Schedule Change – Resolution amending Appendix A to set work sessions on first, third, and fifth Mondays at 5:30 PM (replacing indefinite schedule). Staff noted it would allow longer sessions and avoid overlapping with regular meetings. Councilor Latino expressed concern about reducing community access; Councilor Boston argued it could reduce overtime costs. Passed 4–3.
• R1 – IQor Lease at Pope Lock Building – Staff presented a three-year lease with two three-year renewal options, shifting to a gross lease. Reconsideration of a prior vote. Failed 4–3.
• R2 – CDOT Union Avenue Bridge Repair Amendment – Reduced city match from $125,625 to $0 because repairs are deferred in favor of a replacement project. Passed 7–0.
• R3 – APHIS Wildlife Mitigation at Airport – Public opponent questioned methods and data. Airport staff explained lethal and non-lethal options (e.g., poisoning prairie dogs, hazing deer) to prevent wildlife strikes, with CPW oversight for larger mammals. Passed 7–0.
• R4 – MOU with Palmer Land Conservancy – Supports a $1.75 million GOCO Generation Wild grant. City provides two free pool days and ranger support. Passed 7–0.
• R5 – Pueblo Zoo Management Agreement – Five-year agreement with the Zoological Society, $944,000 annually (part of their $3.1 million budget). Passed 7–0.
• R6 – Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center Agreement – Consolidated one-year agreement for Nature Center and Mountain Park, no direct payment, city covers repairs over $1,000 subject to council approval. Passed 7–0.
• R7 – Regular Meeting Start Time Change – Amends code to move regular meetings from 7:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Extensive debate: Councilor Gomez moved to postpone to Feb 9 for public input, failed 4–3; then passed 6–1 on the main motion. Staff noted the change can be reversed by resolution in the future.
• R8 – Health Department Appropriation – $654,370 for Pueblo Department of Health and Environment. Councilor Dante questioned county’s share and legal obligation. Motion to postpone to Feb 23 to obtain county figures passed 7–0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (7–0): Consent agenda; Q1 amended ($800); Q2; R2, R3, R4, R5, R6; postponement of R8; work session change (Q3, 4–3).
• Failed (4–3): R1 (IQor lease).
• Passed (6–1): R7 (regular meeting time change to 5:30 PM).
• Referred: R8 postponed to February 23, 2026, for additional information.
• Directives: Chief of Staff McCain to follow up on sound barrier wall maintenance; council members committed to quarterly town halls (District-specific and at-large).
• Next Regular Meeting: Scheduled for February 9, 2026, at 7:00 PM (current time) unless R7 changes become effective.