Long considered a Democratic stronghold, Pueblo Republicans have been making gains in recent years, winning down-ballot municipal and county races, while turning Colorado Senate District 3 into one of next year’s most contested statehouse seats. This week, Pueblo Republicans gathered at the Lamb Library to hear from candidates for District 60 Board of Education, Pueblo City Council, and the Pueblo Water Board.
Former Colorado Board of Education member and Republican Senate candidate, Stephen Varela, is hoping to launch a new charter school in Pueblo’s District 60 at the site of the former Chávez Huerta Preparatory Academy (CHPA).
Colorado Republicans are gearing up for the 2026 election, and with a clean slate of newly-elected leaders the party is optimistic. Colorado GOP Secretary Russ Andrews joined El Paso County Commissioner Russ Andrews, Rep. Rose Pugliese (R-El Paso County), and Sen. Rod Pelton (R-Cheyenne Wells) to raise funds for Pueblo Senate candidate Dana Charles, a health care administrator and first-time candidate, in Fountain last Thursday.
School districts across Colorado are developing policies outlining how teachers and staff will honor student requests to use a chosen name as a result of this year’s non-legal name change bill. Last night, Pueblo’s School District 60 Board of Education passed just such a policy, with the caveat that parents must be notified if a child wants to use a name other than their legal name. LGBTQ activists and allies say mandatory parental notification puts youth at risk from hostile parents.
Pueblo’s failed anti-abortion ordinance is bringing increased scrutiny on the law’s sponsor, City Councilor Regina Maestri, including a campaign finance complaint, an ethics complaint, and questions about her residency.
Pueblo City Councilor Regina Maestri is considering introducing an anti-abortion ordinance. Again.
Last week, the Pueblo Board of County Commissioners approved a $650 payment to sponsor a 10-person table at A Caring Pregnancy Center’s annual fundraiser next month. On July 8, the Pueblo City Council voted 5-1 to spend $1,500 to sponsor the event.
by Natalia Mesa for High Country News
As black smoke billowed from a massive fire at Pueblo’s EVRAZ steel mill, city officials issued an air quality shelter-in-place alert: “Go or stay inside, please shut your windows and turn off your air conditioner.”
Last night the Pueblo City Council voted 4-3 to table a proposed anti-abortion ordinance that would have allowed civil penalties of up to $100,000 against Pueblo abortion providers.
