Regular City Council Meeting - February 9, 2026

The Pueblo City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting included public forum, council member commentary, approval of a consent agenda containing multiple resolutions and ordinances, and discussion and votes on seven regular agenda items, including a major sewer rehabilitation contract and several resolutions in support of or opposition to state legislation.

Consent Calendar

• M1: Approved a $151,110 agreement with Brown and Caldwell, Inc. for development of a Strategic Asset Management Plan.
• M2: Ratified an emergency construction contract of $146,924.68 with Miller Pipeline, LLC for emergency sanitary sewer point repair at 38 William White Blvd.
• M3: Awarded a $145,150 professional services agreement to GSG Architecture, Inc. for design of limited remodels of Fire Stations #3 and #5.
• M4: Awarded a $44,600 professional services agreement to Galloway & Company for Fire Station Commissioning Service.
• M5: Transferred $25,000 from Homeowner Rehab to Abatement of Dangerous Buildings.
• M6: Approved a contract amendment of $18,705 to Cedar Ridge Landscape, Inc. for Drone Pad and Fencing at Fire Stations #4 and #8.
• M7: Ratified an emergency construction contract of $6,488.85 with Parker Excavating, Inc. for sewer point repair at 315 E. Evans Ave.
• M8: Ratified joint Pueblo-Boone appointments and confirmed the Mayor's appointments to the Southern Colorado Building Commission (SCBC).
• M9: Awarded a $370,162 construction contract to H.W. Houston Construction for building remodel at 650 Dittmer, with $55,000 for contingencies.
• M10: Approved a release of a public utility easement.
• N1: Approved a grant agreement with Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority for $91,000 for the Benedict Park Lighting Project.
• N2: Approved a joint funding agreement with U.S. Geological Survey for hydrologic data collection along Fountain Creek and Arkansas River.
• N3: Approved a modification to the Supplemental Environmental Project Agreement with CDPHE for a Household Hazardous Waste program.
• N4: Approved the St. Charles Industrial Park, Filing No. 4 subdivision.
• N5: Approved an animal services contract with Pueblo County and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region for operation of the Pueblo Animal Shelter.
• N6: Amended Chapter 4 of Title XIV of the Municipal Code regarding the 1992-2026 Sales and Use Tax Capital Improvement Projects Fund. All consent items were approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ken Dante: Expressed caution about data center build-out, noting that the county needs a 1041 permit process to ensure economic benefit and avoid higher electric rates and water consumption. He distinguished between city and county budgets, stating the city manages its budget better.
• Elvis Martinez: Raised concerns about security at the State of the City address where city council members were not wanded. Questioned the prosecution threshold for vandalism ($2,000), requested a city-county joint meeting, noted that the vacant property ordinance (9930) is not being enforced, and alleged illegal gambling through Super Bowl boards. He also asked about the date of the council retreat.
• Dario Castro: Asked how the city measures the effectiveness of its recycling program and where residents can find clear, up-to-date information. He described confusion among residents and urged improved communication and transparency.
• Dave (last name not given): Spoke in favor of data centers, arguing they provide ongoing sales tax revenue through equipment upgrades. He advocated for a 30-year plan to attract and retain 20-to-50-year-olds to sustain sales tax and fund city services.

Discussion Items

• Q1 - Stockyard Road CIPP Rehabilitation: Staff presented a $7,907,540 construction contract with Insituform Technologies for lining a 60-inch and 66-inch wastewater pipeline. The project includes a bypass structure and will extend the pipe’s life by 50 years. The contract includes $2,372,262 in contingencies. Council approved 7-0.
• Q2 - Boys & Girls Clubs Sponsorship: Staff reported a request from Councilors Dante and Hernandez for $1,500 to sponsor the Champions of Youth Dinner. The club expects to serve approximately 2,000 youth. Public commenter Elvis Martinez suggested adding the organization's 990 forms to agendas and requested a lower amount. Council approved 7-0.
• Q3 - Amendment to Work Session Location: A resolution to amend Appendix A to allow City Council work sessions to be held outside council chambers. Approved 7-0.
• Q4 - Support for HB 26-1071 (Automated Vehicle Identification on Interstates): Chief Miller spoke in support, stating that speed enforcement cameras on interstates would improve traffic safety. He noted the police department has only five traffic officers and that 21 fatal accidents occurred the previous year. Concerns about privacy and revenue generation were raised. The vote was 4-3 in favor.
• Q5 - Opposition to HB 26-1037: Chief Miller argued the bill would prohibit law enforcement from accessing routine identifying information from paid databases, slowing investigations and increasing officer risk. Councilor Ruiz Gomez moved to postpone the vote until February 23 to gather more information, but the motion failed 6-1. The resolution opposing the bill then passed 4-3.
• Q6 - Opposition to SB 26-071 (SAFE Act): Chief Miller detailed how the bill would restrict use of surveillance technology for non-criminal public safety uses (e.g., missing persons, disaster response), impose unfunded mandates, and create legal risks. The resolution opposing the bill passed 5-2.
• Q7 - Opposition to SB 26-070 (PEEPS Act): Chief Miller argued the bill incorrectly classifies public movement data as protected, would require warrants for license plate data, and impose short retention periods (as little as four days). He noted the bill allows use for tolling and parking enforcement but restricts crime-solving. The resolution opposing the bill passed 5-2.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: All items M1-M10 and N1-N6 approved unanimously (7-0).
• Q1 Stockyard Road Pipeline Rehabilitation: Approved 7-0.
• Q2 Boys & Girls Clubs Sponsorship: Approved 7-0.
• Q3 Work Session Location Amendment: Approved 7-0.
• Q4 Support for HB 26-1071: Approved 4-3.
• Q5 Opposition to HB 26-1037: Motion to postpone failed 6-1; resolution passed 4-3.
• Q6 Opposition to SB 26-071: Passed 5-2.
• Q7 Opposition to SB 26-070: Passed 5-2.
• Council Retreat: Councilor Ruiz Gomez announced the retreat is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Pueblo Convention Center, with a focus on budget priorities and team building.
• Public Forum: Four citizens spoke on various topics including data centers, recycling, vacant properties, and city-county relations.
• Council Member Commentary: Several councilors commented on grant writing capacity, traffic safety, property tax increases, and intergovernmental agreements. Councilor Gomez provided a detailed critique of the city's grant capture performance, citing missed federal opportunities.