Pueblo County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Pueblo Council to vote on four sales tax ballot questions; no decisions in past two weeks

The City Council's most consequential action is scheduled for Aug. 24, when it will take final votes on four separate 0.25% sales tax increases for the Nov. 3 ballot, covering parks, roads, nonprofits, and fire/public safety. No decisions were made in the past two weeks; all recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published.

Recent meetings

City Council regular meeting (Aug. 10) — Agenda items included an emergency sanitary sewer point repair contract with Parker Excavating for $210,648 at 109 Vernon Pl; asphalt improvements on Court Street (City Center Dr to W 24th St) awarded to Caraveo Construction for $717,000; an economic development agreement with Pueblo STEAM Works for the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, appropriating $885,000; and the four 0.25% sales tax ballot questions. A citizen-initiated 0.167% sales tax for the Pueblo Zoo was also on the agenda.

Liquor & Marijuana Authority (Aug. 14) — The board scheduled a public hearing on a new fermented malt beverage and wine retailer license for QuikTrip #4298 at 3120 Lake Ave. Other items included a special event beer permit for the Grassroots Gravel Bicycle Race & Festival (Oct. 9-10), corporate structure changes for Cactus Flower Restaurant and 7th Street Station, and a transfer of ownership for Flame Liquor.

City Council work session (Aug. 17) — No votes were taken. The council received presentations on a traffic safety initiative involving speed cameras, budget presentations for police, fire, and public works, and held an executive session on the Leonardo da Vinci Museum economic development agreement.

Pueblo Commission on Energy (Aug. 19) — The meeting was procedural, with no listed action items. It was held at the Public Works Department Conference Room, 211 E. D Street.

Civil Service Commission (Aug. 20) — The commission considered certifying eligibility lists for Civil Engineer-Wastewater, Emergency Services Dispatcher, and Police Patrol Officer positions. It also heard eight appeals regarding exam rejections or eligible-list removals, and ratified appeal decision letters for several applicants.

Coming up

City Council regular meeting (Aug. 24) — Final votes on the four 0.25% sales tax ballot questions for the Nov. 3 election. Also on the agenda: a resolution ratifying a $295,504.20 emergency storm sewer repair contract to Russ Grading & Excavating LLC for 10th and Conley Streets; preliminary approval of the 89.93-acre Pueblo Masterplan Communities annexation; an ordinance approving $885,000 for the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum economic development agreement; and a resolution establishing fees for abandoned shopping cart impoundment.

Liquor & Marijuana Authority (Aug. 28) — Routine consent items to change trade names on liquor licenses for two convenience stores: Loaf n Jug #750084 to Cumberland Farms at 1104 Pueblo Blvd Way, and Loaf n Jug #750078 to Cumberland Farms at 2120 Oakshire Lane.

Pueblo City Council weighs sales tax ballot questions, street repairs; no decisions published

No final decisions were published from Pueblo's recent government meetings, as minutes for the past two weeks have not yet been released. The most consequential item up for consideration was a proposal to place four separate 0.25% sales tax increases on the November 2026 ballot, along with a citizen-initiated 0.167% tax for the Pueblo Zoo. The following is a summary of what was discussed and what is coming up.

City Council work session (Aug. 3)

The City Council Executive Committee held an informal work session with no official votes. Presentations included an update from the Mayor and a 30-minute presentation on the Grassroots Gravel Community Impact project by Adam Davidson. The council also received a Board & Commission update. The session ended with a closed executive session covering CIRSA settlement negotiations, the 2027 collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 3, the resignation of the Chief of Staff, and property transactions involving the Pope Block Building and 301 W. B Street.

City Council regular meeting (Aug. 10)

The regular meeting agenda included several items for potential action, though outcomes are not yet known. The council was scheduled to vote on:

• An emergency sanitary sewer point repair contract with Parker Excavating for $210,648 at 109 Vernon Pl.
• Asphalt improvements on Court Street (City Center Dr to W 24th St) awarded to Caraveo Construction for $717,000.
• An Economic Development Agreement with Pueblo STEAM Works for the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, appropriating $885,000.
• Four 0.25% sales tax ballot questions for parks, roads, nonprofits, and fire/public safety.
• A citizen-initiated 0.167% sales tax ballot question for Pueblo Zoo operations and capital improvements.

All items were listed on the agenda, but minutes have not been published, so no vote tallies or final decisions are available.

Liquor & Marijuana Authority (Aug. 14)

The authority held a public hearing on a new fermented malt beverage and wine retailer license for QuikTrip #4298 at 3120 Lake Ave. Other items included a special event beer permit for the Grassroots Gravel Bicycle Race & Festival (Oct. 9-10, 2026), corporate structure changes for Cactus Flower Restaurant (4610 N. Elizabeth St.) and 7th Street Station (112 W. 7th St.), and a transfer of ownership for Flame Liquor (2225 Lake Ave.). These were described as routine administrative actions.

Coming up

City Council Work Session – Aug. 17

An informal work session with no votes is scheduled. The council will receive presentations on a pet relief shelter, a traffic safety initiative involving speed cameras (presented by Sergeant Michael Sincerbox and Mike Venable of Obvio), and budget presentations for Police (Chief Chris Noeller), Fire (Chief Barb Huber), and Public Works (Director Andrew Hayes). The meeting will end with a closed executive session to discuss negotiations and legal advice regarding the economic development agreement with the Leonardo da Vinci Museum.

Pueblo City Council to weigh sales tax ballot questions, infrastructure contracts

The Pueblo City Council will consider placing four separate 0.25% sales tax increases on the November 2026 ballot for parks, roads, nonprofits, and fire/public safety, plus a citizen-initiated 0.167% tax for the Pueblo Zoo, at its regular meeting today. The council also will vote on an emergency sewer repair contract and a street improvement contract. Recent council and liquor board meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no decisions have been made public.

City Council to consider ballot questions

The council will consider four separate 0.25% sales tax ballot questions for parks, roads, nonprofits, and fire/public safety, along with a citizen-initiated 0.167% sales tax for Pueblo Zoo operations and capital improvements. These items are on the agenda for the Aug. 10 regular meeting; no vote has been taken.

Infrastructure and other contracts

Also on the Aug. 10 agenda:

• An emergency sanitary sewer point repair contract with Parker Excavating for $210,648 at 109 Vernon Pl.
• Asphalt improvements on Court Street (City Center Dr to W 24th St) awarded to Caraveo Construction for $717,000.
• An Economic Development Agreement with Pueblo STEAM Works for the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum, appropriating $885,000.

At the July 27 council meeting, the agenda included emergency storm sewer contracts to Russ Grading & Excavating LLC totaling over $260,000 across three projects, a Federal Transit Administration grant of $2,848,959, a CDOT Clean Transit grant of $1,099,282, an agreement with Brown and Caldwell, Inc. up to $999,459 for clarifier and grit removal system design, and a HUD grant application of up to $10,000,000 for infrastructure and blight removal. Those items remain pending.

Liquor and marijuana board actions

The Pueblo Liquor & Marijuana Authority met July 31 and will meet again Aug. 14. The July 31 agenda included a consent item to change the trade name for Mini Mart Inc dba Loaf n Jug #750028 to Cumberland Farms #750028 at 120 S. Santa Fe. Other items: a special-event liquor permit for HARP at 130 Riverwalk Place for beer, wine, and spirits on Aug. 21, 6-9 p.m.; a retail establishment permit for Pueblo Performing Art Guild dba Pueblo Arts Alliance at 107 S. Grand Ave for 12 event dates from August 2026 to July 2027; a manager change for King Soopers #43 at 102 W. 29th St (new manager Steffi Abeyta); and a premises modification for King Soopers #12 at 3050 W. Northern Ave.

The Aug. 14 agenda includes a public hearing on a new fermented malt beverage and wine retailer license for QuikTrip #4298 at 3120 Lake Ave, a special event beer permit for the Grassroots Gravel Bicycle Race & Festival on Oct. 9-10, corporate structure changes for Cactus Flower Restaurant (4610 N. Elizabeth St) and 7th Street Station (112 W. 7th St), and a transfer of ownership for Flame Liquor (2225 Lake Ave).

Work session

On Aug. 3, the City Council held a work session with a presentation on the Grassroots Gravel Community Impact project and an executive session covering settlement negotiations, collective bargaining, a personnel resignation, and property transactions. No official actions were taken.

Coming up

• **City Council Regular Meeting** – Aug. 10, 2026: Ballot questions, sewer repair, Court Street improvements, and STEAM Works agreement.
• **Liquor & Marijuana Authority** – Aug. 14, 2026: QuikTrip license hearing and other routine items.

Pueblo City Council weighs zoo sales tax, sewer contracts, and transit grants; liquor board takes up permits

Pueblo County residents saw a busy stretch of local government activity in late July, with City Council reviewing a proposed sales tax increase for the Pueblo Zoo, emergency storm sewer contracts, and millions in transit and housing grants. However, official minutes for the most recent meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes of the items below are not confirmed in the public record.

City Council Regular Meeting — July 27

The City Council Regular Meeting agenda included several financial and policy items:

• A citizen-initiated question to increase sales tax by 0.167% for Pueblo Zoo operations and capital improvements.
• Emergency storm sewer contracts to Russ Grading & Excavating LLC totaling over $260,000 across three projects.
• A Federal Transit Administration grant of $2,848,959 and a CDOT Clean Transit grant of $1,099,282.
• An agreement with Brown and Caldwell, Inc. up to $999,459 for clarifier and grit removal system design.
• A HUD grant application of up to $10,000,000 for infrastructure and blight removal.
• A public hearing on the Jackson Ranch Metropolitan District Nos. 1-7 Service Plan.

Because minutes have not yet been published, it is not possible to confirm which items were approved, modified, or tabled.

City Council Work Session — July 20

The City Council Executive Committee held a work session for information and discussion only; no official action is taken at these meetings. The agenda included presentations on the 2027 budget, ballot measures, and CDOT requirements for Pueblo Blvd. The session also included executive sessions regarding a potential economic development project in St. Charles Industrial Park and a land sale and acquisition at Northern & Orman.

Liquor & Marijuana Authority — July 31

The Pueblo Liquor & Marijuana Authority agenda included:

• Consent agenda: Change of trade name for Mini Mart Inc dba Loaf n Jug #750028 to Cumberland Farms #750028 at 120 S. Santa Fe.
• Special event application: HARP, 130 Riverwalk Place, for beer, wine, and spirits on August 21, 2026, 6-9 p.m.
• Retail establishment permit: Pueblo Performing Art Guild dba Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave, for 12 event dates from August 2026 to July 2027.
• Manager change: Dillon Companies LLC dba King Soopers #43 at 102 W. 29th St — new manager Steffi Abeyta.
• Premises modification: Dillon Companies LLC dba King Soopers #12 at 3050 W. Northern Ave.

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so final rulings are not confirmed.

Coming up

• **City Council Work Session — Monday, August 3, 2026:** The Executive Committee will receive updates from the Mayor, a presentation on the Grassroots Gravel Community Impact project by Adam Davidson, and a City Council Board & Commission update. No official actions will be taken. The session will also include executive sessions on CIRCA settlement negotiations for pending claims, the 2027 collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 3, the resignation of the Chief of Staff, and property transactions involving the Pope Block Building and 301 W. B Street.

Residents seeking confirmed outcomes should watch for published minutes from the city's official records.

Pueblo City Council eyed $15.7M transit grant; liquor, civil service, and food plan also on agendas

Pueblo County residents had a full slate of local government meetings over the past two weeks, covering transit funding, stormwater repairs, police hiring standards, and liquor licensing. All meetings listed below were scheduled with published agendas, but minutes have not yet been released, so outcomes of votes and hearings are not confirmed in the public record.

City Council Regular Meeting — July 13

The Pueblo City Council agenda included several construction contracts and ordinances. The largest dollar item was an ordinance approving a $15,687,944 U.S. Department of Transportation grant for transit project BC2601. Council was also scheduled to vote on a resolution awarding a $412,573.65 contract to Russ Grading & Excavating for stormwater improvements at Pikes Peak Park, and on ratifying emergency sewer repair contracts ranging from $12,004.95 to $12,893.22.

Other agenda items included an ordinance calling a special municipal election for November 3, 2026, and an ordinance authorizing revocable permits for the Colorado State Fair Band Day parade and demolition derby on Small Avenue. Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items passed.

City Council Work Session — July 6

The City Council Executive Committee held an informal session with no official action scheduled. Presentations included the Pueblo Food Project's Food Action Plan, a Boys & Girls Club non-departmental request, and RFQ data for an economic development partner. The committee also entered executive session to discuss CIRSA settlement negotiations and the legal case Pedco v. City of Pueblo (Case No. 26CV30238).

Civil Service Commission — July 16

The Pueblo Civil Service Commission was scheduled to act on a Police Department request to reinstate physical agility testing for entry-level police patrol officers, with the agenda noting the commission could approve or deny.

The agenda also included appeals from three individuals: Christopher Ashcraft, regarding a Police Patrol Officer entry-level application rejection; Martina Gilmore, regarding removal from the Office Assistant eligible list; and Justin Rohrer, regarding removal from the Police Patrol Officer eligible list. The commission was also set to certify eligible lists for Housing Redevelopment Program Manager, Police Patrol Officer Entry 2606, and Police Patrol Officer POST 2606.

Liquor & Marijuana Authority — July 17

The Pueblo Liquor & Marijuana Authority agenda centered on a hearing for a new hotel and restaurant liquor license for RARE Hospitality International's Longhorn Steakhouse at 5770 N. Elizabeth St. Other items included a transfer of ownership for the Flame Liquor retail license to Samir Investments LLC at 2225 Lake Ave., and a new beer and wine license for Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Consent items included a special event liquor permit for St. Leander Catholic Parish at 1402 E. 7th for August 8–9, 2026, and trade name changes for two Loaf n Jug locations — #750037 at 3980 Ivywood Ln. and #750014 at 1201 S. Pueblo Blvd. — both changing to Cumberland Farms.

Coming up

City Council Work Session — July 20: The City Council Executive Committee will discuss the 2027 budget, ballot measures, and CDOT requirements for Pueblo Blvd. The session also includes executive sessions on a potential economic development project in St. Charles Industrial Park and a land sale and acquisition at Northern & Orman. No official action is scheduled at work sessions.