Pueblo City Council Regular Meeting - July 14, 2026

The Pueblo City Council convened on July 14, 2026, at 10:45 AM for a regular meeting that included special recognitions, public comments on a parking lot change and criticism of city leadership, council and mayor commentary on the recent Aspen Acres fire, and a number of legislative items. Key actions included approval of multiple grants for bus replacements and wastewater improvements, rejection of a $400,000 economic development strategic plan, and approval of a lease for an employee health clinic. The meeting also featured heated debate over the use of half-cent sales tax funds and a motion to move into executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved an amended consent agenda, including tabling items Q3, S1, S20, and moving S11, S12, S13 to August 24, 2026.
• Approved all consent agenda resolutions and ordinances (L1, M1-M14, N1-N10) with public hearings set for July 27, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• George Consilia (community member) expressed deep sympathy for those affected by the Aspen Acres Fire and thanked first responders. He announced that his nonprofit received a $250,000 state historic fund grant for the City Park bathhouse and pledged to apply the same community-driven model to restore the Horseshoe Lodge in Pueblo Mountain Park.
• Rita Gonzalez (community member) shared her personal connection to the bathhouse and launched a "$100 challenge" to raise additional funds for the bathhouse, with excess going to Beulah fire recovery. She urged preservation of historic buildings.
• Elvis Martinez (community member) called for the resignation of the city attorney, alleging professional misconduct and that the mayor violated state law (CRS 18-9-108) during a prior work session. He also called for a change in city administration ahead of the November 2027 election.
• Kim Sophia and Reese Cambo (owners of Amenity Barber) spoke against the reduction of parking time in the PBR lot from two hours to 30 minutes, stating it harms downtown businesses, creates safety concerns for employees walking to distant parking, and results in $79 parking tickets for clients. They requested the two-hour limit be restored.
• Dave (community member) presented a proposal to transform Pueblo's reputation from a steel city to a "power center of the Rocky Mountains" by building multiple small modular nuclear reactors, estimating 1,100 construction jobs per plant and 100 permanent operating jobs. He announced a town hall at Blowback Gallery within the next month.
• Regina Maistry (community member) raised concerns about the roofing specifications in the wastewater treatment plant pre-treatment building project, alleging the specifications favored Garland products and that alternative products were not properly considered. She questioned the bid process.
• Nikki Hart (community member) opposed the $400,000 economic development strategic plan, arguing it duplicates work already done in the 2022 Regional Comprehensive Plan and that using half-cent sales tax core funds for a plan, rather than capital projects, exceeds voter intent. She requested a legal explanation of how the expense qualifies under the fund's restrictions.
• Thomas Martinisson (community member) echoed opposition to the strategic plan, calling it a waste of taxpayer money and criticizing the lack of a backup plan after the termination of PEDCO. He also opposed further spending on the Dittmer building.

Discussion Items

• Parking Lot Change: Mayor Heather Graham clarified that the change from 2-hour to 30-minute parking in the PBR lot was due to a city council-approved ordinance from July 14, 2005, applying metered parking rates ($1/hour) citywide. She noted the city is working on a validation tool for businesses and that free parking is available nearby. Councilor Ted Hernandez expressed sympathy for the barber shop owners but emphasized the need for a positive downtown experience. Councilor Joe Latino offered to work with the business owners.
• RFQ Timeline and City Attorney Criticism: Mayor Graham provided a detailed timeline of the RFQ process for an economic development partner, rebutting claims of lack of communication. Councilor Roger Gomez accused the mayor of inappropriate scolding and said he no longer trusts the administration. Council President Mark Aliff apologized for his role in a blowup at the previous work session and accepted blame for dropping the ball on the RFQ, asking for grace for council and staff.
• Economic Development Strategic Plan (Item S6): Staff and Chief of Staff Brian McCain argued the $400,000 plan is necessary to set a city-owned foundation for economic development, including SWOT analysis and site selection study, and is distinct from the 2022 Regional Comprehensive Plan. Council members were split: Councilor Ted Hernandez, Councilor Selena Ruiz Gomez, and Councilor Brett Boston supported it as a needed roadmap, while Councilor Roger Gomez, Councilor Diane Dante, and others opposed it as wasteful and outside the scope of the half-cent fund. After extensive debate, the motion to approve failed 5-2.
• Employee Health Clinic (Items S16 and S19): The council considered an additional $182,175 for HVAC repairs at the Dittmer building (S16) and a lease agreement with Crossover Health for the clinic (S19). Critics, including Councilor Roger Gomez and public speakers, questioned the overall investment in the building (purchase at $1.3 million plus roughly $1 million in renovations) and whether using half-cent interest funds for the repairs was permissible. Councilor Diane Dante moved to postpone S16 to August 24th, but the motion failed 6-1. The original motion to approve S16 passed 5-2. S19 (lease) passed 6-1.

Key Outcomes

• Item N3 - Affordable Housing Loan Forgiveness: Passed 6-1. Authorized forgiveness of approximately $353,000 in accrued interest on a 2005 loan for the Villas of Pueblo II affordable housing project, allowing repayment of the $500,000 principal.
• Item Q1 - Fiesta Committee Sponsorship: Amended to $1,500 (from requested $2,500) and passed 5-2.
• Item Q2 - NeighborWorks Sponsorship: Passed 7-0.
• Item Q4 - Wastewater Plant Pre-treatment Building: Passed 6-1. Awarded $2,238,647 contract to Baja Construction.
• Items S2-S5 - Transit Grants: All passed 7-0. Accepted $15.7 million federal grant and $3.9 million in state matching funds for 12 bus replacements and 4 bus expansions.
• Item S6 - Economic Development Strategic Plan: Failed 5-2. The $400,000 appropriation from the half-cent sales tax fund was rejected.
• Item S7 - Medical Exam Code Update: Passed 7-0.
• Item S10 - ICOR Lease: Passed 7-0.
• Item S16 - Dittmer Building HVAC: Passed 5-2 after a failed postponement motion.
• Item S19 - Crossover Health Lease: Passed 6-1.
• Item S17 - Eagle Ridge Roundabout: Passed 6-1.
• Executive Session: Motion passed to go into executive session for negotiation strategy.

The meeting was adjourned after the executive session motion.