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.