Pueblo City Council Meeting – August 25, 2026

The Pueblo City Council held a regular meeting on August 25, 2026, beginning at 5:30 PM. The meeting included proclamations honoring Andrew Hayes, Kim Bowman, and Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Awareness; public testimony on a proposed train station, renewable energy, crime, and business climate; council commentary on policing, flock cameras, shopping carts, and utility rates; and votes on multiple resolutions and ordinances. Key actions included approvals for emergency storm sewer repairs, sponsorship of community events, carry-forward of private activity bonds for affordable housing, establishment of shopping cart impoundment fees, and postponement of a grant for auto theft prevention. Four proposed sales tax increases were considered: one for parks and recreation and one for roads were defeated; one for nonprofit/contractual entities was not approved; and one for fire and public safety technology was passed for the November ballot.

Consent Calendar

• Approved all consent agenda resolutions (M1–M6) and ordinances (N1–N11) in one motion, setting public hearings for September 14, 2026. Items included: emergency storm sewer repair contract ($295,504.20 with a $62,485.12 change order), annexation of 89.93 acres (Pueblo Masterplan Communities), confirmation of board appointments, revocable permit for YMCA 5K run, legal services agreement, airport procedures letter, demolition cost assessment for 125 E. 7th St., establishment of Airport Policy Advisory Committee, and various grants and leases.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill Clinky expressed concerns about the proposed Pueblo–Denver–Fort Collins train station, citing a $38 million cost versus ridership projections of 10,000–40,000 annually. He urged reevaluation given city and county finances.
• Ken Dante highlighted that Colorado reached 50% renewable energy in Q1 2026 (mostly wind and solar), based on EIA data.
• Elvis Martinez criticized the mayor for not addressing the murder of veteran Brian Hunt (43 days ago, no police report), called for police accountability, and opposed a proposed one‑cent sales tax increase. He also argued against shopping cart fees and later spoke against the Da Vinci Museum funding and multiple tax measures.
• Gregory Collins, a local business owner, described Pueblo as “business unfriendly,” citing an eight‑month permit delay for his expansion and the prolonged opening of Chipotle and Starbucks due to a stoplight issue. He estimated those two businesses could generate $158,000/year in city sales tax.
• Several residents spoke against the BATTLE grant (R1) due to its link to ALPR cameras, urging more discussion on surveillance.
• Many supporters (David Lytle, Joe Arrigo, Steve Nawrocki, Christina Trujillo, others) testified in favor of the Da Vinci Museum funding, citing tourism, educational impact, and economic development.
• Opponents of the museum funding (Elvis Martinez, Nikki Hart) questioned the project’s financials, claimed broken promises, and argued it did not meet primary‑job criteria.
• On tax measures, Elvis Martinez and Larry Atencio spoke against placing any tax increases on the ballot, citing Pueblo’s high poverty rate and the burden on residents.

Discussion Items

• M8 – Demolition Costs at 125 E. 7th St.: Councilor Dante questioned why a $750,922.08 cost was listed as having “no financial impact.” Staff clarified the resolution only sets a hearing; costs were already incurred in 2024. Approved 7–0.
• M9 – Airport Policy Advisory Committee: Councilor Dante asked about the committee’s purpose (separate from existing airport board). Councilor Gomez noted the need for compromise between tenants and the city, suggesting attorney involvement was hindering progress. Approved 6–1.
• M10 – Committee Appointments: Councilor Gomez moved to postpone and bring back four appointment resolutions individually to allow separate votes. Passed 6–1.
• Q1–Q3 – Sponsorships: All three sponsorship resolutions were approved with minimal debate. Q1 (Chile Balloon Fest, $2,500) passed 7–0; Q2 (Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center, $2,500) passed 7–0; Q3 (Parkview Starlight Gala, $2,000) passed 6–1.
• Q4 – Private Activity Bonds for Tava Square Apartments: Staff explained the bonds (not cash) enable $22.6 million in tax‑exempt financing for a 105‑unit affordable housing project. Approved 7–0.
• Q5 – Shopping Cart Impoundment Fees: Council debated the fees ($35 initial, $2/day storage, $15 disposal, max $95 per cart). Councilor Gomez expressed concern about corporate responsibility, while Councilor Hernandez opposed penalizing businesses for theft. Approved 5–2.
• Q6 – ARPA Fund Transfer: Transfer of $628,819.69 from two wastewater projects to El Centro renovations ($25,000) and neighborhood trash cleanup. Approved 7–0.
• R1 – BATTLE Grant (Auto Theft Prevention): Councilor Ruiz‑Gomez moved to postpone to September 14 to allow a work session on ALPR cameras, which are part of the grant requirements. Passed 6–1.
• R3 – Da Vinci Museum Economic Development Agreement ($885,000): Extensive debate. Supporters argued it meets placemaking criteria and will boost tourism; opponents cited lack of financial transparency, broken promises not to seek city funds, and concerns about competing with other museums. A motion to postpone to September 14 (with a work session on September 8) passed 5–2.
• R4–R7 – Proposed Sales Tax Increases for November Ballot:
  • R4 (Parks & Recreation, 0.25%): Failed 4–3.
  • R5 (Roads & Infrastructure, 0.25%): Failed 4–3.
  • R6 (Nonprofit & Key Contractual Entities, 0.25%): Outcome not recorded; ordinance did not advance.
  • R7 (Fire & Public Safety Technology, 0.25%): Passed 5–2, placing it on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Emergency storm sewer contract ($295,504.20 plus $62,485.12 change order); sponsorship for Chile Balloon Fest ($2,500), Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center ($2,500), Parkview Starlight Gala ($2,000); private activity bond carry‑forward for Tava Square Apartments; shopping cart impoundment fee schedule (5–2); ARPA fund transfer (7–0).
• Postponed: M10 (committee appointments) to bring back as separate resolutions; R1 (BATTLE grant) to September 14; R3 (Da Vinci Museum funding) to September 14 with a work session on September 8; R8, R9, R10 (airport rules, rates, standards) to October 25.
• Defeated: Parks & Rec tax (R4) and Roads tax (R5) both failed 4–3; Nonprofit/Contractual tax (R6) was not approved.
• Advanced to Ballot: Fire & Public Safety Technology tax (R7) passed 5–2, to appear on the November 3, 2026 coordinated election.
• Next Steps: A work session on ALPR cameras (related to R1) is scheduled for September 8. A public hearing for demolition costs at 125 E. 7th St. will be set. The Airport Policy Advisory Committee appointments will be brought back as individual resolutions.