Images Pueblo, CO: 2012 by Journal Communications

2012 | imagespueblo.com 速

pueblo, colorado

pueblo by 2040 City embarks upon 30-year tourism project

Serves You Right Restaurants choose locally grown ingredients

sponsored by the greater pueblo Chamber of Commerce

2012 edition | volume 18 ÂŽ

Pueblo, Colorado co nte nt s F e atu r e s 10 Serves You Right Restaurants choose locally grown ingredients

14 Pueblo by 2040 City embarks upon 30-year tourism project

18 on the Road to Repair Lake Avenue undergoing $6 million upgrade

20 collegiate contributions Students have two good college options

24 Building Bonds Pueblo turns veterans into military-parts suppliers

d e pa r tm e nt s 6 Almanac 27 Biz Briefs 28 Chamber Report 29 Economic Profile 30 Image Gallery 34 Local Flavor 39 Health & Wellness 40 Arts & Culture 42 Sports & Recreation 45 Education 47 Community Profile 48 Through the Lens on the cover Photo by Jeff Adkins Veteransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bridge at Gateway Park

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pueblo bY 2040 City embarks upon 30-year tourism project

Facts Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more

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Learn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health care providers

Serves You Right Restaurants choose locally grown ingredients

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Pueblo, Color ado content Director Lisa battles Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Copy Editor Jill Wyatt Contributing writers Barbara Biehler, Dan Hieb, Joe Rada, karen schwartzman Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, Vikki Williams Graphic Designers Rachael Gerringer, Taylor nunley Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier color imaging technician Alison Hunter Integrated Media Manager Brandy Maddox Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester

A place to call home Columbine Chateau decided to take an active role in caring for the elderly. We want to take into our hands the challenge of responding to social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of seniors in Colorado. We aim to provide a home that maintains self-worth and independence.

Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner Senior V.P./business Development Scott Templeton senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing Kim HOlmberg V.P./business Development Charles Fitzgibbon V.p./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens v.p./Travel publishing Susan Chappell V.P./Sales Herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman sales support Coordinator alex marks sales support project manager sara quint I.T. Director Yancey Bond system administrator daniel cantrell Web Content Manager John Hood Web project manager noy fongnaly Web designer II Richard stevens Web developer i Yamel Hall, nels noseworthy Web Account Manager Lauren Eubank Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Media Technology Director Christina Carden Media Technology Analysts becca ary, Chandra Bradshaw audience development Director deanna nelson Marketing Creative Director Keith Harris Distribution Director Gary Smith Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop

Images Pueblo is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com. For more information, contact: Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce 302 N. Santa Fe Ave. • Pueblo, CO 81003 Phone: (719) 542-1704 • Fax: (719) 542-1624 www.pueblochamber.org Visit Images Pueblo online at imagespueblo.com ©Copyright 2011 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member

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Any senior with a different religious background or nationality is welcome to our home. Care is a universal language. Thus, we reach out to all seniors who need our assistance. Old age is a gift. We grace it with reverence to your loved ones as we’ll also go through it someday.

CALL US TODAY! (719) 566-1185 720 E. Springmont Dr. • Pueblo West, CO 81007 www.columbinechateau.com

Almanac

Welcome to Pueblo An introduction to the area’s people, places and events

Heating Up

Walking On the Wild Side

It pays to have the sun on your side. Just ask Mark and David Hartkop, owners of Solar Roast Coffee, who are planning the business’s first big expansion. As the name implies, their coffee roasters rely on solar energy, and the brothers constructed their first roaster from an old satellite dish. Now the company is slated for expansion and will build a new solar-powered roasting system. When it’s done, Solar Roast Coffee can claim the title as the only direct-use solar-thermal industry of its kind in the world.

The Pueblo Zoo, located in City Park, has more than 420 animals. Visitors can get up close and personal with farm animals at Pioneer Ranch or see a shipwreck journey to habitats around the world at the Islands of Life exhibit. The zoo also features a tropical rainforest and an underwater viewing of penguins. The Nature & Raptor Center of Pueblo, located along the Arkansas River, also provides visitors with a wealth of wildlife viewing. A variety of animals and plants are housed within the center’s blend of natural habitats.

Thrill of the Theater Those looking for live entertainment in Pueblo will likely find themselves at the Damon Runyon Repertory Theater. Named after a Pueblo resident turned Broadway playwright extraordinaire, the theater has been operating under the Runyon name since 2003. Viewers can catch live theater, children’s theater, adult and children’s workshops, dinner theater, murder mysteries and an art gallery. The theater has a few mysteries of its own; local legend has it the place is haunted. Ghost sightings have been reported by actors and bar glasses have been known to throw themselves across the room. But don’t let that scare you away; the performances are worth the trip.

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Finding the Fantastic Take a tour through southern Colorado’s very own fairy tale at Bishop Castle. While it may have started as a family construction project, Bishop Castle is now a southern Colorado tourist attraction, open from dawn until dusk seven days a week. The castle is less than an hour’s drive from Pueblo and is named for Jim Bishop, the builder of the structure. At just 15, Bishop bought the castle’s current land, and what started as a family cabin slowly grew into Colorado’s famous castle.

Art for the Ages Residents of all ages can interact with the city’s arts scene at the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center. Featuring art created by local, regional and nationally recognized artists, the center includes a three-building complex with six galleries, as well as the Buell Children’s Museum. A variety of hands-on exhibits that focus on the arts, science and history cover the museum’s 12,000 square feet. The museum features many exhibits, including the Buell Baby Barn, which offers a variety of infant activities in a fun barnyard theme, and the interactive El Pomar Magic Carpet Theater.

Picture Perfect There’s nothing plain about movie night in Pueblo. Thanks to the Moving Wall Project, moviegoers have a little something new to look forward to each month. The project aims to exhibit classical and experimental films on the sides of buildings around town. Inspired by P.U.L.P.’s 24-Hour Film Fest – which gives directors 24 hours to shoot and edit films based on a selected theme – the project organizers choose a film to show each month and project it in various parking lots, under bridges or anywhere else they choose to hold their impromptu movie night. Find out where the next show will be by following the Moving Wall Project on Facebook.

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Water World Surf culture is springing up in Pueblo. Residents can catch a wave at Pueblo’s Whitewater Park, where the ride keeps going and the waves keep coming. The park is Pueblo’s river-surfing paradise, with great waves and eddies in one central location. Kids as young as 12 and 13 can take advantage of the river, catching waves on boogie boards before surfboards come into play. It’s made for kayaking as well, with eight drops throughout the park’s half-mile. The drops range in difficulty, making them suitable for beginners and experienced kayakers to take a ride.

Fast Facts

Pueblo At A Glance Population (2010 estimate) Pueblo: 106,595 Pueblo County: 159,063 Location Pueblo is situated beside the Arkansas River in southeastern Colorado, 110 miles south of Denver. Beginnings The El Pueblo Trading Post was established in 1842, and the city of Pueblo was incorporated in 1870.

For More Information Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce 302 N. Santa Fe Ave. Pueblo, CO 81003 Phone: (719) 542-1704, (800) 233-3446 Fax: (719) 542-1624 www.pueblochamber.org

What’s Online Take a virtual tour of Pueblo, courtesy of our awardwinning photographers, at imagespueblo.com.

To Colorado olo Springs

Ca añon City ty 50 67 96

Boone

Pueblo

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n The 3.5-mile-long Pueblo Levee Mural Project is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest mural in the world. n Pueblo has been named one of the nation’s Top 10 Foodie Cities by Livability.com.

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n Founded in 1872, the Colorado State Fair is held in Pueblo each year at the 102acre Colorado State Fairgrounds.

n Lake Pueblo State Park, an 11-mile-long water reservoir, boasts 60 miles of shoreline and is one of the top recreation spots in the state.

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Rye 10

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Homegrown Family-Owned Pueblo restaurants go out of their way to source locally grown ingredients

Story By Joe Rada Photography By jeff adkins

hose cars you see heading out of Pueblo in the morning when everyone else is driving into the city? Some hold chefs bound for farms on the mesa east of town and ranches in the foothills to the west, searching for the best vegetables and meats to grace their tables. Fresh, local, organic ingredients rate highly with many Pueblo restaurateurs, says Rod Slyhoff, Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce president. “It’s a healthy trend,” he says. “For a community with a population of around 150,000, we have very few national chains but an impressive lineup of independent, family-owned restaurants run by people who genuinely care about what they serve.” For these chefs, nurturing trusted food sources is paramount.

They want to know the farmers and ranchers who supply ingredients that have made their restaurants popular mainstays among Pueblo residents and visitors, too. Call it part of a general health kick or the maturing of Pueblo’s culinary scene. Either way the results are tasty and interesting. Here are some fresh-focused favorites worth checking out. Bingo Burger “We are very committed to sourcing the best local products we can find,” says Bingo Burger chef/owner Richard Warner, whose innovations include massaging diced Pueblo chilies into beef patties, adding free-range fried eggs to bacon burgers, and topping lamb burgers with goat cheese. “Our beef – all grass-fed, hormonefree and antibiotics-free – comes

from Cattlemen’s Choice Ranch in Cañon City. Russet potatoes for our hand-cut fries grow in the San Luis Valley. Pepper’s Plus Farms in Pueblo supplies fire-roasted peppers all year and tomatoes during the growing season. Red onions come from Venetucci Farms in Colorado Springs and eggs from Arkansas Valley Organic Growers.” The list goes on: Colorado-raised lamb, chicken and portabella mushrooms, and beers from craft breweries along the Front Range. “Even our ice cream comes from just six blocks away at Hopscotch Bakery,” Warner says. Angelo’s Pizza Parlor And-a-More’ Located on Pueblo’s Riverwalk and known for New York-style pizza, Angelo’s began in Brooklyn in 1964. Richard Foresta – son of founder

Clockwise from top: Angelo’s Caprese salad made with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil and tomatoes from Musso Farms; Angelo’s calzone filled with ricotta, mozzarella and chile peppers; The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce’s Rod Slyhoff and Juls Bayci enjoy martinis infused with Pueblo chile peppers at Smitty’s Greenlight Tavern.

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Angelo – and his wife Debra moved it west in 1997, and Pueblo chilies from Musso Farms quickly became their top-selling topping. Coyote Grille Overlooking the Arkansas River at The Nature & Raptor Center of Pueblo, Coyote Grille is the latest venture by veteran caterer Jim Beatty of the Colorado State Fair and River’s Edge Banquet Hall. “Our popular chili includes sauteed onions and garlic, Pueblo chilies, tomatoes and jalapeños, all harvested on the mesa,” he says. “We also put Pueblo chilies and a spicy Southwestern mayonnaise on our half-pound New York strip steak.” Restaurant Fifteen Twentyone Pueblo’s most upscale dining establishment can make comfort foods such as meatloaf (featuring grass-fed, free-range, local beef)

seem fit for kings. Restaurant Fifteen Twentyone owner Nancy Nguyen and chef Duy Pham put a Colorado spin on exotic fare by pairing local produce with sea bass, calamari and oysters. Their appetizer mushrooms stuffed with grilled zucchini, roasted tomatoes and basil (all local) and an entree of grilled Colorado lamb bring it all home. Joe Tomato Italian Market & Deli Joe Tomato feels like a farmers market there’s so much local produce crowding its aisles. Owner Mark Frankmore knows every farmer worth his or her hoe in the mesa area, and the incredible deli sandwiches he assembles attract a loyal eat-fresh clientele. Smitty’s Greenlight Tavern Pueblo’s oldest bar, opened when Prohibition ended in 1933

by the Smith family that still runs it, joins the fresh-and-local theme by garnishing martinis not with olives (ho hum) but with decorative peppers (wowzer!) to literally heat up the nightlife. Now that’s putting local produce to good use. Chilies Worth Celebrating “Pueblo is known for its green chilies,” says chamber president Slyhoff. “They grow all around here, and we cook them into everything – burgers, burritos, haute cuisine at five-star restaurants, you name it.” They’re key in “sloppers” – a messy yet delicious local delicacy involving various combinations of beef, pork, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, cheese and other ingredients, but always plenty of chilies, he says. Chile fans celebrate the plentiful pods during the Loaf ‘N Jug Chile and Frijoles Festival each September.

From left: Angelo’s pizza topped with Musso chilies; Muggsy’s Inn has recently opened on the Riverwalk; The Bingo Burger, made with fire-roasted Pueblo chilies mixed into all-natural, grass-fed beef and topped with other local ingredients

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More Than Just Meals Pueblo chef uses his skills to give back to the community Eric Copeland has a full plate in front of him – and it’s not just because he’s the executive chef at the Pueblo Convention Center. After graduating from Pueblo County High School in 2001, Copeland pursued his dream of becoming a chef by attending the Community College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. In 2002, he moved back to Pueblo and went on to work for Angelo’s Pizza, La Mela Di Angelo and eventually became the head chef of the Pueblo Country Club. According to Copeland, good timing and a wealth of experience led him to his current position at the Pueblo Convention Center,

where he is responsible for creating customized menus to suit any group or occasion, as well as delicious fare. “As the executive chef at the Pueblo Convention Center, it is my duty to organize all aspects of food production and service,” Copeland says. In addition to creating culinary masterpieces, Copeland is an active member of the community. “Pueblo is my hometown and will be for the rest of my life, so whatever I can do to improve my community benefits me and the city,” he says. Copeland says his favorite contribution is his work at Pueblo Community College, where he serves as a culinary instructor and advisor. He also helps cook for The Salvation Army during Thanksgiving and offers instructional culinary demonstrations at various events. “If we can all just do our own

little part to make our city better, it will improve the overall life of our community, which will then improve our image throughout Colorado and build a stronger economy for us all to thrive in,” Copeland says. – Jessica Walker

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Pueblo by

2040

City embarks upon 30-year tourism project

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Story By Kevin Litwin Photography By jeff adkins

od Slyhoff believes opportunity is knocking and Pueblo is about to open the door. The president and CEO of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce says the city is embarking upon a $100 million, 30-year project that will ultimately add more tourism attractions throughout the E Street entertainment district that runs along the city’s Riverwalk and Union Avenue. The ambitious endeavor has a long, unofficial title – Professional Bull Riders University/ Heritage of Heroes Project in the E District – and a variety of plans have already been finalized. “For example, Pueblo is national headquarters for Professional Bull Riders Inc., so PBR will be establishing a type of university to train promoters, gate openers, bull riders, timekeepers, rodeo clowns and so forth,” Slyhoff says. “PBR is expanding its sport right now into Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico, so building a new university site is needed for all the future training.” Quite an Exhibition The 30-year project will also add an exhibition hall to the Pueblo Convention Center in order to attract more consumer shows and amateur athletic events such as indoor volleyball, martial arts, wrestling and cheerleading competitions. There are also plans for Pueblo to eventually have a regional aquatic center, a large parking structure, a boathouse for the Riverwalk, hotel development and private retail development.

Gateway Park along the historic Arkansas Riverwalk

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“As for the Heritage of Heroes part of the project, Pueblo is home to four Medal of Honor recipients and we want to continue our reputation as one of the most patriotic cities in America,” Slyhoff says. “We will transfer and expand our current Medal of Honor Memorial to a larger facility, and already in 2010 we built a Veterans’ Bridge for foot traffic over the Riverwalk, with the bridge leading to another newly opened facility called The Center for American Values.”

Clockwise from top left: City Hall; Professional Bull Riders Inc.’s national headquarters; Names of veterans are inscribed into the new Veterans’ Bridge; Historic Arkansas Riverwalk; Medal of Honor Memorial

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Staff Photo

Hooray for Cowboys Slyhoff adds that the Heritage of Heroes aspect will also feature a Heritage Plaza outside the proposed exhibition hall, with not only the military being saluted but also pioneers who founded Pueblo and established steel mills. Also to be honored will be early cowboys who rode the range and herded the cattle, plus there will be tributes to business leaders who have grown the city throughout its history. As for financing the whole undertaking, Slyhoff says the state of Colorado has established a new funding mechanism for projects of this magnitude, and Pueblo has applied for $32 million in state funding. The city won’t know until January or February 2012 if its application has been accepted. “Besides the $32 million, private investment will kick in $55 million to $60 million, while the city of Pueblo is providing another $23 million – $15 million of which voters approved in 2010,” Slyhoff says. “It all adds up to a little more than $100 million, but even if the state doesn’t come through with the $32 million, this project will get done. The city, the Urban Renewal Authority of Pueblo, Pueblo Convention Center and the chamber are all solidly behind this effort. Get ready, everyone, for exciting times.”

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On the

Road to Repair

Lake Avenue undergoing major upgrade

Story By Kevin Litwin

ake Avenue was once the main thoroughfare for the south side of Pueblo, but in recent decades has come under blight and disrepair. To its rescue? The Urban Renewal Authority of Pueblo is providing most of the funding for an estimated $6 million to $8 million construction project that will upgrade Lake Avenue between St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center and Pueblo Boulevard. The large undertaking began in mid-2011 and is expected to be completed by early 2013. “This is one of the oldest streets in town, and businesses located 18

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along Lake Avenue have suffered through a lot over the years because the road hasn’t received any attention with regard to beautification,” says John Batey, executive director with the Urban Renewal Authority of Pueblo. “But even more important, there has been a serious flooding issue associated with Lake Minnequa that runs along the avenue. Lake Avenue has long been prone to flooding due to stormwater drainage problems and sewer drainage problems, and we’re happy to see that some major attention is finally being given to this area.”

Narrowing of the Roadway Batey says even the side streets connected to Lake Avenue have been prone to flooding, so larger pipes will be installed underground to alleviate future flooding issues caused by the rising of Lake Minnequa. “The avenue will see extensive tearing up of asphalt and intersections, but since the road is being reconstructed we decided to take this opportunity to also add some streetscape modifications for the sake of beautification,” he says. “That includes street furnishings and an actual narrowing of the avenue itself because it’s too wide

The Urban Renewal Authority of Pueblo’s rendering of the improved Lake Avenue Corridor Photo Courtesy of Urban Renewal Authority of Pueblo

for the traffic needs of today. So to narrow the avenue, a landscaped median will be added along the entire length from the hospital to Pueblo Boulevard.” Met With Business Owners Batey says prior to starting the construction project, the Urban Renewal Authority first organized a series of public meetings with the business owners who were all in agreement that something needed to be done to improve Lake Avenue. “Even though they will be inconvenienced during the construction process, the Urban Renewal Authority is pushing the

contractor to move as quickly as possible to minimize the negative effect,” he says. In the meantime, Lowe’s Home Improvement recently established a large store on the south side at Pueblo Boulevard and Prairie Avenue, and Batey hopes that revitalizing Lake Avenue will spur other big companies to locate on the south side. “The upgrade of Lake Avenue is long overdue and there are so many positive aspects to this project,” he says. “One of the oldest streets in Pueblo is about to become one of the newest, and should really help bolster economic development in that part of Pueblo.”

By the Numbers

$1.6 million Estimated cost for first phase of Lake Avenue Streetscape Project

$6-8 million Projected total cost of Lake Avenue Streetscape Project

$3.5 million Estimated cost of new fire station built at Lake Avenue and Aqua Drive

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Collegiate Contributions Pueblo colleges benefit students and community

Story By Barbara Biehler photography By jeff adkins

ueblo students seeking educational opportunities do not have far to look. Two Pueblo-based institutions, Colorado State University-Pueblo and Pueblo Community College, offer many benefits to area students as well as the local community.

Colorado State University-Pueblo One of the fastest-growing universities in the state, Colorado State University-Pueblo is a fully accredited state university with more than 5,000 student enrollees. Offering 28 undergraduate and eight graduate programs in four separate schools, CSUPueblo is just one of seven colleges in the country offering a degree in mechatronics, which combines the specialties of electrical and mechanical engineering. Students benefit greatly from CSU-Pueblo’s supportive educational atmosphere and a small 20

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student-to-faculty ratio. Dramatic changes to the Pueblo campus in recent years include a $12 million renovation of athletic and academic facilities, a $24 million overhaul of the University Library, the construction of a new football and track stadium, student recreation center and recreation field, and three-part residence-hall compound. CSU-Pueblo’s Distinguished Speaker series is one of the cultural and educational experiences available to students and the surrounding community. Featuring speakers who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields, the series has recently welcomed Olympian Bruce Jenner, three-time World Cup mogul skier Jeremy Bloom and actor-activist Edward James Olmos. CSU-Pueblo Athletics give students and residents plenty to cheer for, especially in 2011 as the university’s ThunderWolves football team became the first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team to be ranked No. 1

A student studies in the newly renovated library at Colorado State University-Pueblo.

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Photo Courtesy of Jim Bowman

in the nation and only the fifth in conference history with an undefeated 11-game regular season – achievements only made more remarkable by the fact football was reinstated just a few years ago. “Since the return of football in 2008, CSU-Pueblo has been ranked in the top 20 nationally in attendance all three seasons and has led the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference,” says Cora Zalatel, executive director of the Office of External Affairs. “We have also been selected to host three NCAA Division II championship series events over the next two years.” The financial impact of these track and field and wrestling events should be substantial, bringing up to $2 million per event into the local economy. Pueblo Community College Touting itself as “one of the most dynamic and progressive community colleges in Colorado,” Pueblo Community College is an accredited two-year public institution with more than 8,000 enrolled students. PCC offers comprehensive two-year programs for students transferring to four-year colleges and a broad range of technical programs for students who wish to directly enter the job market after leaving the school. Growth estimates project PCC will see a 2 percent enrollment increase for the 2011-2012 academic year. Nearly 80 percent of PCC’s students, whose average age is 29, receive financial assistance through grants, scholarships, student loans or work-study jobs. PCC also offers benefits to local employers. “Our workforce training is one of the things we are known for,” says Gary Franchi, public relations coordinator at PCC. “Our Economic & Workforce Development Division offers customized workforce training that can be delivered on campus or on-site for businesses and industries throughout southern Colorado and the Pikes Peak Region.” PCC’s Community Education programs provide non-credit lifestyle enrichment programs at a reduced rate for students age 55 and over. The Pueblo Early College dual-enrollment program allows local high school students age 16 and older to earn college credit while completing their high school educations. Clockwise from top: The library at CSU-Pueblo; A CSUPueblo student rushes to class; Pueblo Community College; Colorado State University-Pueblo football

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Business

Building

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Bonds

Pueblo turns veterans into military-parts suppliers

Story By Dan Hieb | Photography By jeff adkins

new facility in Pueblo is working to solve a growing problem for the United States Department of Defense, and the solution could have big implications for the local economy. The military has trouble obtaining parts for some of its aging but still essential equipment. About 1.8 million parts are on back order. Take, for instance, the fleet of B-52 Stratofortress bombers, which came into service nearly 60 years ago but still make up the backbone of the Air Force’s bomber fleet. The U.S. intends to keep the plane in service until 2045, but many of its parts are no longer manufactured and replacement equipment is getting harder to find. That’s where Pueblo is stepping in. Veterans Initiative for National Sustainment The city is home to the Veterans Initiative for National Sustainment (VINS), which kicked off last October after five years of work by the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO). Former PEDCO chairman Jeff Shaw oversees the facility, which will eventually be called Home of Heroes Manufacturing Center for Excellence – a nod to its dual purpose. Pueblo got the nickname “Home of Heroes” from President Dwight Eisenhower, who noted the area’s high number of Medal of Honor recipients. VINS is charged with enlisting veterans to build parts by putting schematics into their hands and helping them win military contracts. The Department of Defense aims to send 3 percent of its contracts to servicedisabled veteran-owned small businesses, but the reality has been less than 1 percent. That discrepancy is worth several billion dollars. By getting veterans involved in the

manufacture of needed parts, VINS hopes to solve both problems at once. Pueblo Leads Way With Cold Spray Technology Replacement parts aren’t the only way VINS will help the military. The facility has invested in “cold spray” manufacturing technologies that can put a protective coat on parts in order to help them resist corrosion and last longer. But that’s hardly the only use for the technology, which involves firing metal particles onto another metal surface at such a high velocity that a strong molecular bond is formed. In addition to coating steel with another material such as copper, the technology can be used to repair parts that would otherwise need to be replaced or to quickly fabricate a new part by spraying metal into a mold, Shaw says. The technology has attracted attention from aviation, automotive and even health care companies, Shaw says. A team looking to exploit the technology includes defense contractors such as New York-based aerospace company Moog Inc. ($2.1 billion in revenue in 2010) and Connecticut-based helicopter company Sikorsky Aircraft ($6.7 billion in 2010). Shaw expects VINS to eventually employ 30 to 40 researchers and serve as a training facility for companies looking to leverage the technology. “We expect defense contractors to relocate,” Shaw says. “We have defense contractors who work in the facility right now. We expect them to expand operations and to have a relationship near or inside the facility – including some that are household names. The defense world is changing; budgets are changing. Cold spray is a cheaper way for them to do business. And the defense contractors understand that.”

Former PEDCO chairman Jeff Shaw oversees the Veterans Initiative for National Sustainment.

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Business

Biz Briefs

Businesses – both large and small – that help define Pueblo’s economic climate

Photo Courtesy of the Pueblo City Center Partnership

Center for American Values Biz: Educational and charitable organization Buzz: Formed in 2010, the Center for American Values features portraits and documentation of more than 140 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. The center is located along the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo and is one of the stops on the Walk of Valor. Meeting space is available for events such as leadership and training seminars, speaker forums and more. www.americanvaluescenter.org

Photo Courtesy of John Wark

Pueblo City Center Partnership Biz: Community and economic development organization Buzz: Comprising downtown agencies, developers, business owners, tourism staff and promoters, the Pueblo City Center Partnership attracts retail, residential and business development to Pueblo’s downtown area – known as the City Center – while also supporting events and activities that promote a thriving urban center. www.pueblocitycenter.com RE/MAX of Pueblo Biz: Real estate agency Buzz: RE/MAX of Pueblo helps clients buy and sell property in the area, and manages residential and commercial properties. Prospective homebuyers and renters may be interested in the Pueblo RE/MAX Times, a modern real-estate magazine designed to help simplify the search for the perfect home. www.puebloareahomes.com

Scorecard

Black Hills Energy Biz: Electric and natural gas company Buzz: Black Hills Energy provides electric and natural gas to more than 600,000 customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. Currently, the company is constructing Pueblo Airport Generation Station projects, which will offer customers long-term, low-cost, reliable energy with greater rate stability. www.blackhillsenergy.com

InZone Fitness Biz: Fitness center Buzz: InZone Fitness, located in Pueblo's Midtown Shopping Center, offers members personal training, pilates, cardio kickboxing, aerobics, boot camp, yoga and more. Various fitness challenges are also available, designed to help participants reach their desired weight-loss goals. inzonefit.com

Business At A Glance

$1 billion Annual retail sales

$11,024

Retail sales per capita

$200 million Annual hotel and food sales

6,568

Total number of firms Source: U.S. Census

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Business

Chamber Report Chamber launches new membership program and dives into social media

ll 1,100 members of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce deserve a gold star, and now they all have one. The chamber introduced a Gold Star Program in 2010 where every member received a 12-inch by 12-inch vinyl star that is pressed onto the front window of their

respective business or organization. “The stars let customers and other business owners know who has invested in the Pueblo community through the chamber,” says Rod Slyhoff, president and CEO of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. “In the past, we presented members with

plaques or decals that were often hidden on shelves or other obscure places in their businesses, but the gold stars are very visible and can easily be seen from the street. Our members seem to really like them.” Slyhoff says that whenever someone becomes a member, the chamber presents them with a new member packet and then attaches a gold star to their front window. “As for all of our existing members, chamber Ambassadors went to each business and handed out the gold stars,” he says. “And in the future, on every annual Member Appreciation Day in February, any stars that become faded or have fallen off windows will be replaced with new stars.”

Let’s Get Social Meanwhile, the chamber has also been embracing social media these days through Facebook and Twitter. The chamber’s Facebook page is used for the chamber and its members alike to promote events and relevant news. It has earned more than 1,300 likes to date. In September 2011, Slyhoff started a chamber Twitter account for quick updates, such as Forbes naming the city one of the best places in America to do business and Livability.com ranking the Loaf ‘N Jug Chile and Frijoles Festival as one of the top food festivals in the nation. Slyhoff says the chamber will be utilizing even more social media and other technology in 2012. “We also plan to use QR (Quick Response) Codes, which are targeted to mobile phone users,” he says. “They are just another way to further promote Pueblo, which is what the chamber is all about.” – Kevin Litwin

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economic profile Economic Overview Pueblo has a low cost of doing business – among the lowest in America – which is a key reason why more than 50 companies have located here in recent years. Pueblo serves as the southern boundary for the state’s major business growth corridor, better known as the Front Range of the Rockies.

top employers

Transportation

2000+ Employees

Pueblo Memorial Airport 31201 Bryan Cir., 81001 (719) 553-2760

School District 60 1,000-2,999 Employees Parkview Medical Center St. Mary Corwin Medical Center School District 70 Loaf ‘n Jug Colorado Institute of Mental Health Pueblo County

taxes

3.5% City Sales and Use Tax

1.0% County Sales Tax

2.9%

Trane Company Convergys 750-999 Employees

Total Sales Tax

WORKFORCE

76% White Collar Jobs

24% Blue Collar Jobs

Rocky Mountain Steel Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

education

income

29%

$20,962

Associate Degree

Per Capita Income

State Sales Tax

7.4%

Pueblo Transit 123 Court St., 81003 (719) 553-2727

$47,216 Average Annual Household Expenditure

14% Bachelor’s Degree

9% Graduate Degree

STAMP OUT BREAST CANCER WITH YOUR FEET.

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Image Gallery

Eagle statue at Pueblo City Hall, a gift from sister city, Puebla, Mexico Photos by Jeff Adkins

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A child plays in the interactive fountains along the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk.

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Image Gallery

Arkansas River Photos by Jeff Adkins

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Walks Among the Stars by artist Dave McGary at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk

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Local Flavor

Sunset Inn and Gray’s Coors Tavern went slopper to slopper in 2010 on the Travel Channel’s Food Wars. Check out imagespueblo.com to read more!

Antony Boshier

What’s Online

Gray’s Coors Tavern's signature slopper

Flavor to Savor Enjoy Pueblo’s tasty local foods Rejoice, Pueblo food lovers. Bland, boring and typical are not parts of the local menu. Find unique spicy and flavorful foods at Pueblo-area restaurants, festivals, stores or roadside farm stands.

Green Chilies Green chilies are not just a food staple in Pueblo; they are part of the city’s identity and cultural heritage. This enduring symbol of agricultural success is celebrated every year during the annual Loaf ‘N Jug Chile and Frijoles Festival, an event sponsored by the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce promoting the locally grown Mira Sol chile and pinto beans. The three-day downtown festival hosts more than 100,000 people annually and features cooking competitions, a farmers market and more revolving around the city’s most

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beloved green vegetable. Buy fresh Pueblo-grown chilies in roadside farm stands throughout the city from mid-August through October. Local food manufacturer Mira Sol Chile Corp., located only minutes north of downtown, also offers a variety of products made from red and green Pueblo chilies. Pick up a few jars of fire-roasted green or red chilies or one of their homemade salsas, and then download a unique recipe to try, like the Pueblo Chile Caviar, from the company’s website.

Sloppers Pueblo’s ubiquitous green chile is one of the main ingredients in a local favorite called a slopper. Sloppers, open-faced cheeseburgers served in a bowl and smothered in spicy green chile sauce, were the focus of a recent episode of Travel Channel’s Food Wars, in which two Pueblo

restaurants, Gray’s Coors Tavern and Sunset Inn, vied for the title of Best Slopper. While each restaurant serves well-known versions of this local specialty, 27 different restaurants around town feature their own special take on Pueblo’s well-known favorite. For something different, try the Thunder Humper at Gold Dust Saloon, a distinctive slopper smothered with green chili, cheese, onions and mounds of crispy French fries.

Grinders Italian-sausage grinder sandwiches are another tasty Pueblo-area favorite. The basic ingredients are grilled Italian sausage, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes on fresh Italian bread, but variations of the sandwich can be found on menus of more than 20 restaurants around town. – Barbara Biehler

Jeff Adkins

The Hitchhiker, an Italian-sausage grinder topped with Pueblo chilies, provolone cheese, lettuce and tomatoes, is a favorite at Toni & Joe's Pizzeria.

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MENTOR

Good Character & Citizenship

JOIN

Healthy Lifestyles

www.PositivePlaceForPuebloKids.org club@bgcpueblo.org

VOLUNTEER

Academic Success

719.564.0055

GIVE

GREAT FUTURES START HERE.

Founded in 1972, the Club serves youth ages 6 to 18 every day after school and all summer from three locations. 36

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Shirley Saddoris Broker

The Realty Post

8875 3R Rd. Beulah, CO 81023 (719) 485-3333 phone/fax (719) 250-7519 cell therealtypost@socolo.net www.TheRealtyPost.net

Call me for all your real estate needs!

Fill crescent rolls with cheese, Pueblo green chilies, olives and hot pepper sauce for a spicy snack perfect for entertaining guests:

Chili Cheese Rolls 2 (3-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1

cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

/4 cup chopped green chilies

/4 cup chopped ripe olives, drained

2 teaspoons dried minced onion /4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

2 (8-ounce) tubes refrigerated crescent rolls 1. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese. Add the cheddar cheese, chilies, olives, onion and hot pepper sauce. 2. Separate each tube of crescent dough into four triangles, pressing the perforations to seal. 3. Spread the cheese mixture over the dough.

4. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Cut each roll into 10 slices. Place on greased baking sheets. 5. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Recipe by Farm Flavor. Find more recipes like this at FarmFlavor.com

Providing Advanced Life Support Ambulance Service to Pueblo County Since 1994

New Service: Mobile Health Care for Private Business 911 Patient Care and Transport Interfacility Patient Transfers CPR Classes • Community Awareness Programs Special Event Standby Services • Wheel Chair Transportation Critical Care Transport • Bariatric Patient Transport

(719) 545-1226 office (719) 545-9631 dispatch

www.amr.net

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Health & Wellness

Jeff Adkins

Staff Photo

Parkview Medical Center

St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center

Health Care Services Grow With Pueblo Major MedicaL centers serve the community The prognosis for health care is positive in the Pueblo community, thanks to Parkview Medical Center and St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center.

St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center Founded in 1882, St. MaryCorwin Medical Center is a 408-bed facility serving the city and county of Pueblo, as well as Southern Colorado and the neighboring states of New Mexico, Kansas and Oklahoma. The hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for health-care quality and safety. It provides emergency services with a designated trauma center and Flight for Life helicopter base. It is a Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center in addition to offering comprehensive

cardiovasular, diabetes, surgical and diagnostic services. The hospital’s Dorcy Cancer Center is one of the leading cancer centers in the state. The hospital also is known for its services for women and newborns. In 2011, The Birth Place at St. MaryCorwin unveiled a renovated spa-like environment with all-new decor and updated private rooms. The homelike birthing suites have Jacuzzi tubs and convertible beds, and every mother receives a spa kit – a complimentary baby swaddle and a “Simply to Go” meal that feeds four people for the first night at home with her baby.

Parkview Medical Center Parkview Medical Center serves Pueblo County and 14 surrounding counties, or

approximately 350,000 individuals. The nonprofit medical center, part of Parkview Health Systems Inc., is locally owned and governed. PMC offers 350 general acutecare beds as well as 20 beds for those in need of long-term care. The region’s first certified Stroke Center is available to patients, in addition to a Level II Trauma Center. In June 2011, PMC opened a 92,000-square-foot expansion to the hospital that includes 54 new private rooms and a new main entrance on Grand Avenue. Also in 2011, PMC was one of seven hospitals to win a National Innovation Award from Avatar International, an industry leader in health-care quality improvement services. – Jessica Walker i m ag e s p u e b l o . c o m

Antony Boshier

Arts & Culture

Dancers perform at the Loaf N’ Jug Chile & Frijoles Festival. Right: Steelworks Museum and CF&I Archives

Have Fun, Love Life Pueblo’s culture aims to enrich residents’ and visitors’ experiences Finding fun in Pueblo is as easy as finding a slopper. Pueblo’s fun-loving community is rich in arts, culture and history, and showcases a variety of museums, festivals, events, performing arts centers and historic sites.

Pueblo Festivals & Events A Western-themed event, the Wild Wild West Festival offers family-friendly activities, including concerts and cook-offs. While the festival is held throughout Pueblo, the majority of events take place on the Riverwalk and the Union Avenue Historic District. The National Street Rod Association’s Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals, which is

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the region’s largest street rod automotive event, is held at the Colorado State Fairgrounds each year. The Colorado State Fair features carnival rides, exhibit halls, contests and concerts. Attendees can also enjoy livestock, horse and small-animal shows, as well as parades and a rodeo. The Loaf N’ Jug Chile & Frijoles Festival is held in downtown Pueblo and features music, fun and food. Festival-goers can also enjoy the works of many local artisans and craftsmen. Other events throughout the year include Big Rod’s Fat Tuesday Party; Bluegrass on the River; the annual Fourth of July celebration, Rollin on the Riverwalk; the National Little Britches Final

Rodeo and Yule Love It Downtown!, Pueblo’s art and shopping crawl.

Pueblo Museums and Historic Sites To see where Pueblo began, visit the El Pueblo History Museum, which showcases the city’s history and the region’s various cultural and ethnic groups. Its Song of Pueblo, an oratorio by Daniel Valdez, is a live, multimedia concert that relates the city’s story through narration, music and images. Featuring art created by local, regional and nationally recognized artists, the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center includes a three-building complex with six galleries, as well as the Buell Children’s Museum.

Jeff Adkins

The Steelworks Museum and CF&I Archives collect and exhibit materials related to the 121-year history of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company (CF&I). Museum guests enjoy exhibits and educational programs all about the steelworks and mining industries in the West. Archives researchers can delve into one of America’s largest and most publicly accessible industrial corporate collections. The Rosemount Museum is a 37-room mansion, built in 1893 and formerly home to the John A. and Margaret Thatcher family. The mansion contains almost all of its original furnishings, accessories and paintings. The Pueblo Medal of Honor Memorial, located outside the

Convention Center on Heroes Plaza, is home to the statues of Pueblo’s heroes, as well as the names of more than 3,400 Medal of Honor recipients. Preserving, restoring and displaying military aircraft and artifacts, the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum offers more than 100 display cases and exhibits.

Performing Arts Pueblo Performing Arts Guild, a nonprofit organization, supports the performing arts all around the city by collaborating for marketing, performances and education opportunities, raising awareness in the community, and promoting and providing educational opportunities in the

performing arts. A nonprofit corporation, the Steel City Theatre Company, provides modern, quality productions for public enjoyment. The Damon Runyon Repertory Theater Company offers live theater, children’s theater, adult and children’s workshops, dinner theater, murder mysteries and an art gallery. Historic Memorial Hall seats more than 1,600 for live plays, concerts and more. The hall is also where President Woodrow Wilson made his last speech in 1919. Pueblo voters recently approved funding for the renovation and expansion of the hall, with an expected completion date of fall 2012. – Jessica Walker i m ag e s p u e b l o . c o m

Sports & Recreation

Clockwise from above: City Bark dog park; The marina at Lake Pueblo State Park; Disc golf at City Park

Room to Roam Pueblo offers an assortment of recreational options

articipation is recommended within the Pueblo recreation scene, with many options to choose from. For water-sports enthusiasts, Lake Pueblo State Park is the most visited state park in Colorado thanks to offerings such as jet skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, boating and parasailing. The lake is also a fishing hot spot for catches of trout, walleye, bass, crappie, bluegill and yellow perch. Meanwhile, thanks to Pueblo’s Whitewater Park, the city is quickly becoming one of Colorado’s main paddling destinations because of the park’s great waves and eddies in one central location. Kayakers are

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welcome to navigate the eight drops within the half-mile course along the Arkansas River, with the best access point being at the Fourth Street Bridge.

Walk This Way Downtown Pueblo is graced with a 32-acre Historic Arkansas Riverwalk that includes a scenic walkway, outdoor amphitheater, nature center, small shops, cafes, artworks and the recently opened Veterans’ Bridge. Residents commonly visit the Riverwalk to exercise, while pontoon boat rides are the most favored activity of tourists. There is outdoor entertainment every Friday and Saturday night from May to September and an outdoor

farmers market operates throughout the summer.

Tails of Adventure The Pueblo Zoo, located in City Park, has more than 420 animals. Visitors can get up close and personal with farm animals at the Pioneer Ranch or see a shipwreck journey to habitats around the world at the Islands of Life exhibit. The Nature & Raptor Center of Pueblo, located on the Arkansas River, also provides visitors with a wealth of wildlife viewing. A variety of animals and plants are housed within the center’s blend of natural habitats.

Putts and Slapshots Pueblo is also home to golf

“Come Explore the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo and All it Has to Offer”

photos by Jeff Adkins

Angelo’s Pizza Parlor And-a-Moré

OPen eveRy Day • PaTiO SeaTinG all yeaR ROUnD 105 e. Riverwalk • Pueblo, CO • 719-544-8588 www.angelospizzapie.com

pen on Now O Riverwalk o’s Puebl Featuring “Portraits of Valor” – a dramatic photographic collection of more than 140 Medal of Honor recipients.

Center for American Values

Our MissiOn: To honor the extreme sacrifices made to help sustain America’s values and to ensure these extraordinary actions are preserved … forever. 101 S. Main St. • Riverwalk 100 • 719-543-9502 • www.americanvaluescenter.org

venues such as Desert Hawk at Pueblo West, Elmwood Golf Course, Pueblo Country Club and Walking Stick Golf Course. Meanwhile, ice-skating enthusiasts can enjoy year-round open skating along with youth and adult hockey leagues at Pueblo Plaza Ice Arena. Other top recreation destinations within the city include Runyon Field, which is home to two high school-sized baseball fields and two junior-sized diamonds, and City Bark at City Park, which features a 2.5-acre facility where dogs can roam free once they are inside the fence. City Park is also home to a Kiddie Rides attraction with 12 rides that include a carousel and a train. – Kevin Litwin

Limited quantities available. Reservations recommended.

Charlie B’s Restaurant at the Marriott Pueblo Hotel 110 W. 1st St. • Pueblo, CO 81003

Now Open on the Riverwalk • 115 E. Riverwalk, Ste. 100 (next to Angelo’s) • 719-219-6841 HOURS: Sun.-Thur. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.- Midnight

Get 10% OFF

when you bring this ad

20 oz. Schooners $2 During Happy Hour Mon.-Fri. 4-7 p.m.

There’s always something to do at the Pueblo Convention Center!

719-542-1100

320 Central Main St. Pueblo, CO 81003 www.puebloconventioncenter.com i m ag e s p u e b l o . c o m

Top 10

Food Festivals

INTERNATIONAL BISCUIT FESTIVAL Knoxville, TN DUDIE BURGER FESTIVAL Tupelo, MS BARBECUE FESTIVAL Lexington, NC RC AND MOONPIE FESTIVAL Shelbyville, TN LOAF ‘N JUG CHILE & FRIJOLES FESTIVAL Pueblo, CO HAPPY HARRY’S RIBFEST Fargo, ND SOUL FOOD COOK-OFF Muskogee, OK

Pueblo made the list.

Top 10 Food Festivals See more Top 10 lists at Livability.com.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE FESTIVAL Provo, UT OREGON TRUFFLE FESTIVAL Eugene, OR TOMATO FESTIVAL Newark, OH

Introducing the Livability.com Top 10 Lists New lists every month | Not your average lists | Not your average website

Jeff Adkins

Education

Colorado State University-Pueblo

Enrolling Right Along Pueblo Offers Access To Quality Education at All Levels Pueblo deserves a gold star for the strong education opportunities it has in place, including two public school districts, three charter schools and two higher education institutions. Pueblo School District 70 is the largest geographical school district in Colorado, educating more than 8,000 students from throughout Pueblo County. The district includes four high schools, six middle schools and 12 elementary schools, as well as an alternative middle school, an alternative high school and seven preschools. Meanwhile, more than 18,000 students are enrolled in Pueblo City Schools, formerly known as District 60. This district includes four high schools, five middle schools and 19 elementary schools, in addition to two K-8 schools and three international magnet schools.

Charter Schools Pueblo is also home to the Cesar Chavez Network of charter schools, which include Dolores Huerta Preparatory High School,

Cesar Chavez Academy Public Charter School and The Connect Charter School in District 70. Huerta High is a tuition-free public charter school that boasts multiple awards and achievements, while Chavez Academy provides full educational services for grades K-8. The Connect Charter School is for middle grades and consistently makes multiple “best of” lists.

Colorado State University-Pueblo and Pueblo Community College At the higher education level, the 5,000 students at Colorado State University-Pueblo can choose from 28 undergraduate programs in the College of Science and Mathematics, the Hasan School of Business, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the College of Education, Engineering and Professional Studies. At the two-year Pueblo Community College, students can

study Arts & Sciences, Business & Technology, and Health Professions, with 60 completed semester hours required to obtain an associate degree and a minimum of two courses necessary to earn a certificate.

Proprietary Schools Students here also benefit from the presence of three proprietary schools, Colorado Technical University, University of Phoenix and Intellitec College. CTU’s Pueblo location offers programs in Business & Management, Criminal Justice & Legal Studies, Health Sciences, Information Systems & Technology, and Interdepartmental Degrees. University of Phoenix operates a Student Resource Center in Pueblo, which provides a learningfriendly environment and services to students enrolled in courses online or at its Colorado Springs campus. Intellitec’s Pueblo location offers career programs in Medical & Dental, Personal Appearance and Wellness. – Jessica Walker i m ag e s p u e b l o . c o m

visit our

advertisers

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American Medical Response www.amr.net

Greater Pueblo Chamber www.pueblochamber.org

Board of Water Works www.pueblowater.org

HARP Authority www.puebloharp.com

Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County www.positiveplaceforpueblokids.org

Jorgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant www.jorges-sombrero.com

CK Surgical LLC www.ck.md

Parkview Medical Center www.parkviewmc.org

Colorado Lottery www.coloradolottery.com

Pueblo Community College www.pueblocc.edu

Colorado State Fair www.coloradostatefair.com

Pueblo Economic Development Corporation www.pedco.org

Colorado State University www.colostate-pueblo.edu

Rice Root www.riceroot.com

Colorado Technical University www.coloradotech.edu/pueblo

St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center www.stmarycorwin.org

Columbine Chateau Assisted Living www.columbinechateau.com

The Realty Post www.therealtypost.net

Ad Index

26 Greater Pueblo Chamber

43 HARP Authority

37 Jorgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant

C3 Parkview Medical Center

38 American Medical Response

36 Board of Water Works

36 Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County

38 CK Surgical LLC

2 Pueblo Community College

1 Pueblo Economic Development Corporation

8 Colorado Lottery

# Colorado State Fair

C4 Colorado State University

4 Colorado Technical University

5 Columbine Chateau Assisted Living

29 Rice Root

C1 St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center

36 The Realty Post

community profile Community Overview The air in Pueblo is so clean that residents often can see purple mountains’ majesties from 70 miles away. That is one of the numerous advantages of living in this city with clean water, a nationally ranked school system and reasonable home prices.

Household information AGE:

36 Median Resident Age

27% 19 and Under

47% Climate The Pueblo County growing season is 180 days, but the county’s elevation range (4,400 to 12,000 feet) can influence what can be grown in different areas. Crops such as alfalfa, corn, melons, onions, peppers and tomatoes thrive throughout Pueblo County, but all require supplemental water.

93° F July Average High

15° F January Average Low

13” Annual Rain Fall (vs. National Average Annual Rain Fall of 37”)

Mountain

$43,365 Median Household Income

$109,050 Median Home Price

$679

20-54

Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment

26%

numbers to know

55 and Over

MARITAL STATUS:

52% Married

48% Single

ETHNICITY:

59% White

1% Black

28% Hispanic

time zone

cost of living

12% Other

land area

transportation

45.1

16 minutes

Square Miles

Median Travel Time to Work

Division of Motor Vehicles (719) 543-5164 (719) 543-5165 www.colorado.gov/cs/ Satellite/Revenue-MV/ RMV/1177024843078 Recyling Environmental Health (719) 583-4323 Voter Registration Colorado Dept. of Revenue (719) 543-5164 county.pueblo.org/ government/county/electedoffice/clerk-and-recorder/ detailed-information-voters Pueblo Economic Development Corporation 301 N. Main St. Pueblo, CO 81002 (719) 544-2000 www.pedco.org Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce 302 N. Santa Fe Ave. Pueblo, CO 81003 (719) 542-1704 www.pueblochamber.org

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Through the Lens

Get the Story Behind the Photo Now that you’ve experienced Pueblo through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit throughthelensjci.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.

From Our Photo Blog: Pueblo Shooting for imagespueblo.com is the highlight of my year at work! I love the people and the town has so much to offer. For example, Pueblo has a kayak course downtown – yep, that’s right, a kayak course downtown. As if that weren’t cool enough, the course has the world’s longest mural … Posted by jeff adkins

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More Online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at throughthelensjci.com.