2010 | IMAGESPUEBLO.

COM
®

PUEBLO, COLORADO

CATCH A WAVE
Whitewater Park is state’s
premier river-surfing spot

Culture
Comes Alive
Two festivals add
spice to community

SPONSORED BY THE GREATER PUEBLO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2010 EDITION | VOLUME 16
®

PUEBLO, COLORADO

CO NTE NT S

F E AT U R E S PUEBLO BUSINESS
30 Green Growth
10 HIGH-PROFILE CREATIVITY Pueblo is home to serious green-energy
Arts organizations work to promote innovation and practices.
city’s various cultural endeavors. 34 Biz Briefs
36 Chamber Report
14 SURF ON HIS TURF
Chamber president Rod Slyhoff
37 Economic Profile
guides visitors through five
delicious Pueblo meals.

D E PA R TM E NT S
18 CULTURE COMES ALIVE
Two lively festivals add spice to Pueblo.
8 Almanac: a colorful sampling
of Pueblo culture
22 CATCH A WAVE, PUEBLO STYLE
Whitewater Park makes waves as 27 Portfolio: people, places
Colorado’s premier river-surfing spot. and events that define Pueblo
39 Health & Wellness
26 ALL IN THE FAMILY DINER 41 Arts & Culture
The Pantry is one of Pueblo’s 43 Sports & Recreation
most popular restaurants.
44 Education
47 Community Profile: facts, stats
and important numbers to know

All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on

recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

ON THE COVER Photo by Antony Boshier PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

Native American dancing at the Chile Festival

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 3
 ®

PUEBLO, COLOR ADO

MANAGING EDITOR KIM MADLOM

COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS
ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, JESSY YANCEY
STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS JOE MORRIS,
KATHRYN ROYSTER, BETSY WILLIAMS
DATA MANAGER CHANDRA BRADSHAW
INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER ELIZABETH WEST
SALES SUPPORT MANAGER CINDY HALL
SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN McCORD
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS,
TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, J. KYLE KEENER
PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT MANAGER ANNE WHITLOW
CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS
ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN
PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS
MELISSA BRACEWELL, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS KRIS SEXTON,
CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS
LEAD DESIGNER LAURA GALLAGHER
GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES, JESSICA MANNER,
DINING CULTURE
ULTUR
LT
TU JANINE MARYLAND, MARCUS SNYDER
WEB IMPLEMENTATION DIRECTOR ANDY HARTLEY
HEALTH
C A R E SHOPPING WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR FRANCO SCARAMUZZA
WEB CONTENT MANAGER JOHN HOOD

BUSINESSES
WEB PROJECT MANAGER YAMEL RUIZ
WEB DESIGN LEAD LEIGH GUARIN
WEB DESIGN CARL SCHULZ
WEB PRODUCTION JENNIFER GRAVES

NEIGHBORHOODS COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN ALISON HUNTER

AD TRAFFIC MARCIA MILLAR,

SENIOR LIVING
PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY

CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN

RECREATION SALARY EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN

SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER
SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN

VOLUNTEERING SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER

V.P./SALES HERB HARPER
V.P./SALES TODD POTTER

MOVING SCHOOLS V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER

V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS
V.P./CUSTOM PUBLISHING KIM NEWSOM
MEDIA
WEATHER

UTILITIES MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS BILL McMEEKIN

MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL SUSAN CHAPPELL
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS

POPULATION PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO

CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY
ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN,

INDUSTRY
MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS
RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY SIMPSON
DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR YANCEY TURTURICE
TRANSPORTATION IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE
SALES SUPPORT RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY
SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN
OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM
RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
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302 N. Santa Fe Avenue • Pueblo, CO 81003
Phone: (719) 542-1704 • Fax: (719) 542-1624
www.pueblochamber.org

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4 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
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ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE

Images gives readers a taste of what makes Pueblo tick – from business
and education to sports, health care and the arts.
“Find the good – and praise it.” – Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 5
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Sit back and enjoy a preview

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Explore its landscapes, cultural offerings,
food and fun.
See its downtown, neighborhoods, parks
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Pueblo is rated L for Livability
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6 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
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PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 7
Almanac

Affordable Amenities
Looking for an affordable city with plenty of cultural,
recreational and educational opportunities? Pueblo
is perfect.
The 2009 ACCRA Cost of Living Index ranks Pueblo
second on the list of least expensive urban areas. Pueblo is
tied with Fort Smith, Ark., while Pryor Creek, Okla. earned
the top ranking.
The composite index is based on six components –
housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care
and miscellaneous goods and services.

Honoring Heroes
Here’s a salute to William J. Crawford,
Drew D. Dix, Raymond G. “Jerry” Murphy
and Carl L. Sitter.
These four native sons of Pueblo are all
recipients of the Medal of Honor. It is the
highest award for valor in action against
an enemy force that can be bestowed by
Congress on an individual serving in the
U.S. armed forces.
In 1993, the U.S. Congress proclaimed
Pueblo “America’s Home of Heroes,” and
a memorial was erected in 2000 to honor
the recipients. The memorial consists of
four 8-foot bronze sculptures and is located
outside the Pueblo Convention Center.

Right on Course
Instead of plowing up the arroyos or filling in their dried creek beds, Walking Stick Golf Course
integrated the arroyos into its design.
The par-72 municipal golf course provides golfers with challenging play, beautiful views of
the mountains and ideal vantage points to see across the plains.
Arroyo, which means ‘brook’ in Spanish, is a dry creek bed or gulch that
temporarily fills with water following a heavy rain. There are very few trees on
the course because Pueblo is in the plains, so having the arroyos here makes
the course interesting.

8 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
 Let the Good Times Flow
Water sports and boating enthusiasts, welcome to paradise.
By all accounts, Pueblo bubbles over with assets, from its
energetic nightlife to its rich culture and heritage. But perhaps
the city’s most attractive qualities can be found in its beautiful
lakes and rivers, which offer endless recreation opportunities
under year-round sunny skies.
Fishing on the Arkansas River is a satisfying challenge, and
Lake Pueblo State Park is the most visited state park in Colorado
for good reason. The lake features more than 60 miles of
shoreline and 4,500 acres of surface water.
For a leisurely day on the water, the Historic Arkansas
Riverwalk of Pueblo is a scenic place to stroll along the riverfront
or take a relaxing pontoon boat ride.

Pueblo At A Glance Fast Facts

Q Founded in 1872,
POPULATION (2008 ESTIMATE) FOR MORE INFORMATION the Colorado State
Pueblo: 106,079 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Fair is held in Pueblo
Pueblo County: 156,737 302 N. Santa Fe Ave. each year at the
Pueblo, CO 81003 102-acre Colorado
LOCATION Phone: (719) 542-1704, (800) 233-3446 State Fairgrounds.
Pueblo is situated beside the Arkansas Fax: (719) 542-1624
River in southeastern Colorado, www.pueblochamber.org Q Lake Pueblo State
110 miles south of Denver.
Park, an 11-mile-long
water reservoir,
BEGINNINGS
The El Pueblo Training Post was
What’s Online
e boasts 60 miles of
Take a virtual tour of Pueblo, courtesy of our award- shoreline and is one
established in 1842, and the city of
winning photographers, at imagespueblo.com. of the top recreation
Pueblo was incorporated in 1870.
spots in the state.

115
15 Q The 3.5-mile-long
To Colorado
olo Springs
Pueblo Levee Mural
25
Project is listed in
Ca
añon City
ty
the Guinness Book
of World Records
50 as the longest mural
67 in the world.
Boone
Wetmore
e 96
Pueblo 96 Q Area kayakers are
96 50 rejoicing, as a new
78 whitewater park
165
6 Beulah opened in downtown
P U E B LO Pueblo in May 2005
and covers a half-
Rye mile stretch with
>cSPZ]
10 eight different
water features.

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 9
 High-Profile
Creativity ARTS ORGANIZATIONS WORK TO PROMOTE
CITY’S VARIOUS CULTURAL ENDEAVORS

STORY BY JOE MORRIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

S
ome wield a paintbrush while others take to the
stage, but no matter how they express their talent,
artists and performers have an enthusiastic and
supportive home in Pueblo.
The city is justifiably known for its museums and major
arts organizations, but its support of the arts trickles down to
individual artists and smaller groups as well. Even better,
organizations such as the Visual Artists of Pueblo and Pueblo
Performing Arts Guild market and raise awareness of art and
artists here, making sure that each gets a chance to be seen,
heard and experienced.
The business community joins the city’s residents in
supporting the arts and was a major impetus behind the
formation of the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild, says Susan
Fries, executive director.
“They saw the need for an organization that could
represent a lot of the others and get their message out,” Fries
says. “Marketing and fundraising are things many groups
don’t have time for, and we allow them to have more impact
because we can do those things for them while they focus
on their art.”
An early member and ongoing beneficiary of PPAG’s

Pueblo artist Radeaux, who specializes in life-sized birds and animal paintings, works in his Pueblo gallery.

10 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 11
 efforts is Christina Anderson, executive director
Artistic Assets
of the Pueblo Children’s Chorale. Involving
A sampling of some children from the second through eighth
of the arts organizations grades, the chorale manages to produce four
in Pueblo. programs and a school tour every year on a
$35,000 budget, so any and all help is vital.
Broadway “PPAG promotes our concerts through their
Theatre League weekly e-mail blast,” Anderson says. “But they
Colorado Music Fest also promote our auditions and arrange
performance opportunities for us.”
Damon Runyon More importantly, she says, PPAG allows her to
Repertory Theatre meet with other groups to network and brainstorm
on ways they can perform separately and
Festival Fridays together for even greater community impact.
Impossible Players
“Pueblo is really rich in the arts, and people
may not know about everything there is,”
Pueblo Choral Society Anderson says. “PPAG gets the word out to
anyone who wants to be involved, from
Pueblo Symphony organizations to audience members.”
Sangre de Cristo After more than 25 years of painting his
Ballet Theatre
native Colorado, 20 of those from the John
Deaux Art Gallery, one-named artist Radeaux
Sangre de can take the long view. Having watched Pueblo’s
Cristo Dancerz arts community grow and thrive has not only
been beneficial for his work, but for the city
Southern Col. itself, he says.
Theatre Company “Artists come here for the low cost of living,
the climate, the landscape – everything that
Town & Gown
Pueblo has to offer,” Radeaux says. “But the
Performing
community is also very supportive of the arts.
Arts Series
The various organizations really liven things up
and get a lot of interest going. We do a First
Friday Art Walk each month, and when PPAG
gets people involved with that, it really adds to
the atmosphere.”
The city’s artistic successes also help its
economic development, Fries adds, so in the
end everybody wins.
“Art events sell tickets, and they drive
business,” she says. “We promote the arts,
which brings people to the area, which drives
tourism. There’s a lot of energy here, and we’re
good at focusing that.”

Clockwise from top left: Pueblo

artist Radeaux; Paige Cipperly at a
dress rehearsal for an upcoming Michael
Jackson Celebration at the Sangre de
Cristo Arts & Conference Center; Festival
Fridays; Sangre de Cristo Ballet Theatre

12 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
PU E B LO
I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M
PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLE HART, SANGRE DE CRISTO ARTS CENTER PHOTO COURTESY OF SANGRE DE CRISTO ARTS CENTER

13
14 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
 Surf on
His
Turf CHAMBER PREZ SUGGESTS
FIVE GREAT PUEBLO MEALS
STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS
Y
ou have 36 hours in Pueblo,
and you’re hungry. Where do
you eat?
Rod Slyhoff has
suggestions. The president and CEO
of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of
Commerce enjoys good food and the
occasional martini, and can recommend
some of the best places for both.
After a day of traveling to Pueblo,
Restaurant Fifteen Twentyone is the
perfect place to relax with a martini.
Rod recommends starting a meal at
Restaurant Fifteen Twentyone with
mussels steamed in garlic and white
wine broth, followed with a tomato
salad with baby spinach, olive oil and
balsamic vinaigrette.
“For the entrée, I’d go with the
grilled salmon served with corn ragout
and roasted red onion relish. It’s
incredible.”
Clockwise from top: Steamed mussels, a favorite appetizer at Restaurant
Fifteen Twentyone; Steve Pagano, owner of Pass Key Restaurant; Rod Slyhoff,
Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce president
PU E B LO
After dinner enjoy an evening at one
of Pueblo’s many nightspots.
The next morning, Rod suggests a
visit to his favorite coffee shop – Solar
Roast on Main Street – to wake up with
a rich, dark coffee.
“I always get a toasted bagel
topped with ham, cheese and egg to
complement Solar Roast’s excellent
coffee.” After breakfast visitors can
work up an appetite strolling the
Riverwalk. Then, it’s lunchtime.
“You can’t come to Pueblo without
getting a plate of Mexican food, and
one of the places I always rave about is
Mexi-Deli,” he says. “They have good
chips and salsa and cold Mexican beer
while you look over the menu, and their
house specialty is the taco Azteca. It’s a
flat taco shell layered with frijoles and
your choice of meat, topped with sour
cream, guacamole, lettuce, tomato and
I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 15
 Feast on This PUEBLO DINING IN 36 HOURS
BREAKFAST Solar Roast Coffee is a
great place to refuel in the mornings. This
eco-friendly coffeehouse founded by two
brothers uses sunlight to roast its coffee
beans. Traditional breakfast fare includes
bagels and croissants, and regional
favorites including burritos.
226 N. Main St.
16 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M
LUNCH For excellent authentic Mexican
food try the taco Azteca or any menu item
at the Mexi-Deli. Eat where the locals have
dined for decades – check out the iconic
Pass Key Restaurant and sample
the Italian sausage sandwich.
Mexi-Deli, 215 E. Abriendo Avenue
Pass Key, 518 E. Abriendo Avenue
DINNER Fifteen Twentyone serves many
French-inspired dishes prepared by its
classically trained chef. Park East is
well-known for its excellent steaks,
seafood, appetizers and salads.
Restaurant Fifteen Twentyone
123 N. Main St.
Park East, 720 Goodnight Avenue
cheese, and then smothered with green
chili. It’s the best.”
Spend the afternoon visiting the
galleries and museums Pueblo has to
offer. That night for dinner, Rod points
to Park East Restaurant. He likes to sit at
the bar because it offers a lively
atmosphere, with bands performing
several nights a week.
“For my dinner, I like to order off
the Tapas menu although they have a
full dinner menu as well. I enjoy the
garlic spicy shrimp followed by some
prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, then
a steak brochette topped with blue
cheese,” he says. “Plus, I can never pass
up the calamari at Park East. I also
enjoy a glass of Toasted Head merlot
to accompany my meal.”
The next morning, Rod says it’s
okay to grab a cup of coffee and do
some shopping until time for lunch
at Pueblo’s iconic Pass Key.
“Try an Italian sausage sandwich
they call the Pass Key Special,” he says.
“The owners buy their sausage from
the same market they’ve used for
decades, then mix in their own secret
spices before grilling it to perfection.”
The sausage is then topped with
American, Swiss and provolone cheese
and it all goes on a toasted bun.
“That is one of the most outstanding
sandwiches you could ever imagine,”
Rod says. “It’s the perfect way to wrap
up 36 hours of culinary adventure
in Pueblo.”
Next time you’re in town, give Rod a
call; he might join you for a meal.
The Bacon Eye-Opener at Solar
Roast Coffee Right: Customers enjoy
lunch at Pass Key Restaurant.
PU E B LO
 What’s Online
e
Learn more about Pueblo’s cuisine in our
quick online videos at imagespueblo.com.

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 17
 What’s Online
e
Check out the Chile Festival and the
rodeo event in our quick online videos
at imagespueblo.com.

18 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
 Peppers
&Pardners TWO LIVELY FESTIVALS ADD SPICE TO PUEBLO

STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN

M
ore than 100 million
viewers around the
world annually watch
Professional Bull Riders
events on TV, and 1 million people
actually attend PBR events each year.
So what does that have to do with
Pueblo?
Pueblo is home to the Professional
Bull Riders Association, which
relocated here in July 2007 and has
opened a four-story headquarters
building along the Arkansas River.
In May 2009, PBR officials wanted to
become more involved with the Pueblo
community, so they organized an
inaugural Wild Wild West Festival.
The event was well received, so the

American Indian dancing is a cultural

highlight at annual The Chile and
Frijoles Festival. PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 19
20 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
The jalapeno pepper eating contest is always exciting at the Loaf ’N Jug Chile & Frijoles Festival.
Left: Bull riding is one of several events at the Wild Wild West Festival. PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDY WATSON
second annual festival will take place
May 13-16, 2010.
“It’s going to take a few years, but
I’m hoping that Wild Wild West Festival
will someday reach the popularity of
other such renowned western icon
gatherings as the Calgary Stampede in
Canada and Frontier Days in Wyoming,”
says Randy Bernard, CEO of the
Professional Bull Riders Association.
“We aren’t taking shortcuts in growing
Wild Wild West Festival and will always
strive to keep it first class. So every
mid-May from now on, we want to help
make Pueblo a destination for many,
many tourists.”
The festival is staged at the Colorado
State Fairgrounds and on Union
Avenue, with attractions that run the
gamut of entertainment.
“Bull riding is one event, yet a juried
art show is another,” Bernard says.
“We will continue to add interesting
attractions as we progress, but like I
PU E B LO
said, the ultimate goal is to make Wild
Wild West Festival one of the premier
attractions for Pueblo and this entire
region each year.”
Chile Festival Is Hot Event
One attraction in Pueblo that already
holds such a lofty distinction is the Loaf ’N
Jug Chile & Frijoles Festival, which occurs
every September on the third weekend
following Labor Day. Approximately
100,000 spectators pack Union Avenue to
celebrate the wide array of chile peppers
that are grown in the Pueblo area.
“Each year the farmers plant nearly
300 acres of chiles and close to 500
acres of frijoles,” says Juls Bayci,
communications director for the Greater
Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. “While
it’s hard to say if the advent of the Chile
& Frijoles Festival has caused farmers
to increase that acreage, one thing is
for sure – the festival has definitely
increased the awareness of Pueblo’s
PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER
chile crop throughout the region and
state, thus increasing the demand.”
The chamber, in partnership with
El Pueblo History Museum, started the
festival in 1994 to salute the impact that
chile peppers have in the city and
county. Pueblo, nestled in the Arkansas
River Valley, has cool nights, hot days
and frigid river water that runs fresh
from the Rockies – all of which create
a large, flavorful chile that is thick
skinned and easy to peel.
Festival activities include live music,
cooking competitions, a 5K run, ethnic
dancers, performing and visual arts,
and a children’s zone.
“Lots of great Pueblo restaurants
and caterers are represented, and one of
the competitions allows anyone in town
to enter their best salsa,” Bayci says.
“The festival continues to attract
visitors from throughout Colorado and
neighboring states as the trend toward
heritage tourism grows.”
I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 21
 Catch a
WAVE,
Pueblo Style
WHITEWATER PARK MAKES WAVES AS
COLORADO’S PREMIER RIVER-SURFING SPOT
STORY BY KATHRYN ROYSTER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

A
s summer snowmelt runs
down the Rockies to
Pueblo, water-sports
enthusiasts flood the
Arkansas River with activity. The area
teems with kayakers, boaters, water-
skiers, and – surfers? Yes, surfers.
Lured by the waves at downtown
Pueblo’s Whitewater Park, river surfers
are quickly turning the city into
Colorado’s top surfing destination.
“Pueblo is the surfing capital of
Colorado,” says Chad Parson, an
experienced river surfer and founder of
the Colorado River Surfing Association,
or CRSA. “Whitewater Park has a lot of
great waves and eddies, all in one place.
They’re all different and very fun to surf.”
River surfing is similar to ocean

The Edge owner, Bob Walker, stocks

surf boards in his Pueblo store.

22 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
 What’s Online
e
Watch the action at the Whitewater
Park in our quick online videos at
imagespueblo.com.

Alex Mauer surfs on a short board at the Pueblo Whitewater Park on the Arkansas River.

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 23
 surfing, but with one key difference:
hang times are out of this world.
“The waves never close out, never
get to shore – it really is an endless
ride,” says The Edge’s Bob Walker,
whose shop has been outfitting Pueblo’s
outdoor and recreation enthusiasts for
more than 15 years.
After several years of sparse interest
in river surfing, Walker has recently
seen a dramatic increase in the number
of surfers and body-boarders visiting
24 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M
Whitewater Park. The uptick is due
in part to the CRSA’s efforts to show-
case Pueblo’s surfing scene. The
organization hosted its International
Surfing Day celebration in Pueblo in
2009 and plans to do the same again in
2010. Parson would also like to add a
high-flow contest to the calendar, to
give surfers a chance to try their skill
at riding peak waves.
Tina Sotelo, a Pueblo resident who
regularly surfs Whitewater Park, is not
surprised that more and more people
are showing interest.
“It’s a great sport for both men and
women. Even kids as young as 10 or
12 can start out on a body board if the
water’s not too high,” she says. “Anyone
who wants to learn can go to The Edge
and talk to Bob or just come on down to
the river – anyone there is willing to
help anytime.”
That openness is part of what makes
Pueblo’s surf scene so appealing.
PU E B LO
 Before You Go
Water flow is usually best for river surfing in May and June. Call The
Edge (719) 583-2021 or toll-free (877) 273-5065 for information
about water levels. You can also check the U. S. Geological Survey’s
Arkansas River gauge at waterwatch.usgs.gov to find out if water
flow is sufficient for a day of surfing. Walker recommends a flow
rate of 1,500-4,000 cubic feet per second for surfing, with body-
boarding possible at flow rates down to 800 cubic feet per second.
The higher the flow rate, the greater the skill required to surf safely.
Minimum equipment includes surf or body board, helmet and
life jacket. Ocean boards are usually fine for river surfing, but
specialty river boards are also available. The river can be quite cold,
especially in spring, so surfers may also want to wear a wet suit.

Henry Mauer, left, rides a wave on his boogie board while Peter
Lynch, above, waits for an opening at the Pueblo Whitewater Park.

“The people who are in the park
surfing are so nice, so approachable,”
Walker says, and Parson concurs.
“The Pueblo surf locals are some of
the best and friendliest surfers in
Colorado,” he says. “It’s always fun to
hang by the river with them.”
Pueblo surfing is also noteworthy
for its relative safety.
“There is a surfable wave just
outside Glenwood Springs, but it’s a
really big wave across the Colorado
River,” Walker says. “If you get washed
off, you could end up half a mile
downstream, bouncing around in
the rocks. Here, if you fall off, it’s just
a big pond behind you. The recovery
is much easier.”
But the biggest draw, he says,
is convenience. Whitewater Park’s
downtown location makes it an easy
stop on the way to or from work,
and the sport requires less
equipment – and expense – than
an activity like kayaking.
For Sotelo, the growing surf culture
is an exciting addition to the mosaic of
Pueblo life.
“It brings a different vibe and a
different energy to the area,” she says.
Parson sees it as a model for other
river cities around the globe.
“Pueblo is a great town,” he says.
“They’re showing the world what can be
done with our rivers to make them
enjoyable for all.”

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 25
Local Flavor
All in the Family Diner
THE PANTRY IS ONE OF PUEBLO’S MOST POPULAR RESTAURANTS
T he Pantry remains one of the most popular restaurants
in Pueblo, just as it has been throughout its entire
37-year history.
Martin Valdez started the eatery in 1972, and his children
Shawna and Kenny have always worked there. Now, Shawna
and Kenny own the business.
“Kenny and I have been with our family diner since day one.
In fact, we used to stand on buckets just so that we could wash
the dishes when we were kids,” Shawna says. “We would work
after school, on holidays and weekends. My father eventually
sold the business to us in 2006, but he still works here on
occasion. It remains a close-knit, family-run restaurant.”
The Valdez family actually opened a second restaurant in
the 1980s called The Pantry Too, then purchased a couple of
other adjacent buildings to continue expanding the business.
“Ultimately, we closed the original restaurant in 1986 and
then consolidated everything to our current larger location
on East Abriendo Avenue,” Shawna says. “We’re in a quaint,
The Pantry is known for its green chile and diner-style food.
26 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M
older neighborhood of Pueblo that used to be called Mesa
Junction. This kind of family diner doesn’t really exist much
more in America, but it does here in Pueblo.”
The Pantry specializes in home cooking, with many items
prepared from scratch.
“My father long ago invented a special green chile recipe
that is delicious, and to this day it remains one of the most
popular dishes at the restaurant,” Shawna says. “We feature
a large menu with Mexican dishes along with quite a few
comfort food offerings such as chicken fried steak, meatloaf
and large hamburgers.”
The Pantry is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours are
6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 6 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays.
“We have loyal customers, many of whom stop in every
day for one or two meals,” Shawna says. “We’re not only
a restaurant, but a place where people gather to visit
one another.”
– Kevin Litwin
JEFF ADKINS
PU E B LO

What’s Online
e
Visit My Pueblo at imagespueblo.com
and tell us your favorite family activity.
Linkin Williamson at the Buell Children’s Museum and Arts Center in Pueblo
You’re Kidding!
BUELL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM INSPIRES IMAGINATIONS AND LEARNING
W ow, children having fun and
learning at the same time.
The $3 million Buell Children’s
Museum is now open on the campus of
Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference
Center. The two-level, 12,000-square-
foot museum features a variety of
hands-on exhibits that focus on the
arts, science and history.
“This is the finest children’s museum
in this state and possibly in the region,”
says Maggie Divelbiss, Sangre de Cristo
Arts Center executive director. “We are
enlarging a world where the arts are
cherished, nurtured and celebrated.”
Child Magazine has ranked Buell as
the No. 2 children’s art museum in the
PU E B LO
PHOTO BY ANTONY BOSHIER
country. Sangre de Cristo officials say
the goal at Buell is to give children the
tools to think and act creatively, and
stimulate their interests through
interactive and educational activities.
One of the many exhibits at the
children’s museum is called Buell Baby
Barn, which offers a variety of infant
activities in a fun barnyard theme.
Another exhibit is called Colorado Gold,
where children actually pan for real gold
and other treasures in a mining trough.
Another exhibit is called How the
West was Worn, with kids encouraged
to dress up in cowboy hats, shirts,
spurs, chaps and boots. In an exhibit
called Artrageous Studio, children can
Portfolio
create personal masterpieces using
paper, ribbon, Mylar and other sparkly,
gooey materials.
At an exhibit called 3-D Chalk
Pictures, kids draw western landscapes
with special chalk and then wear
3-D glasses to make the pictures even
more dramatic.
Buell Children’s Museum is named
in honor of the late Temple Hoyne Buell,
a Denver architect and philanthropist
whose foundation contributed $1
million to launch the project. Divelbiss
says the long-term goal of the museum
is to be an ultimate resource, helping to
strengthen arts education offered in
schools throughout Southern Colorado.
I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 27
Portfolio

Walk This Way

A long-term project that began in

1996 is only halfway done in
2010, but it sure looks good so far.
The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk
ANTONY BOSHIER

of Pueblo is a 32-acre downtown

waterfront experience that includes
a scenic walkway along the edge of
the Arkansas River. It features an
outdoor amphitheater, nature center,
small shops, cafes and artworks, and
Welcome to Colorado East Country the Riverwalk has arguably become
the best outdoor water attraction
in Colorado.
Construction of the $12.5 million
Riverwalk began in 1995 to restore the
Arkansas River to its historic channel
that flows through the center of
downtown Pueblo. The entire project
will be built in six phases, with the
third phase having been completed in
late 2009.

PUEBLO PROUD –
The Riverwalk has become a source
of pride and confidence for the citizens
of Pueblo, showing that the community
Helping to Build is vibrant, alive and visionary. It is located
in a segment of downtown Pueblo that
the Financial Future had fallen into disrepair and had
become unsightly by the early 1990s.
of our Community Today, the Riverwalk hosts a
farmer’s market on Thursdays from late
June through mid-September. It also
hosts a Kansas City BBQ Society
sanctioned competition, 4th of July and
holiday lighting celebrations.
But many residents who frequent the
Riverwalk do so for exercise, with a
variety of pathways available of varying
lengths. In fact, the district has become
one of the most visited attraction
destinations in Pueblo, largely for the
exercise option.
Also for outdoor enthusiasts, a
detailed Pueblo River Trail System
P UEBLO NORTH P UEBLO WEST P UEBLO SOUTH
stretches along the Arkansas River as
1515 Fortino Blvd. 94 S. Tiffany Dr. 1219 S. Prairie Ave.
well as along Fountain Creek, in various
(719) 584-2000 (719) 547-4488 (719) 561-5000
locations throughout Pueblo.
Visit us online at www.coloeast.com Pedestrians and bicyclists are welcome
to use the River Trail System paths,
while the water that fronts much of
Chartered 1905 the acreage is ideal for boat rides
and canoeing.

28 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
To Thursday Market We Go
F armers’ markets have convened in
the Midtown area of Pueblo on
Tuesday and Friday mornings for
area to make it a festival-like
atmosphere,” she says. “There is a
cookie shop, coffee shop, barbecue
homemade tamales,” Regrutto says.
“Another lady sold fresh-caught
salmon.”
several years. place and a hot dog stand near the Officials with the Pueblo City-
Now, there is also a Thursday Riverwalk Boathouse, and the farmers’ County Health Department and Live
evening market – but in a different part market just adds to the energy.” Well Pueblo are also on hand to give
of town. Besides produce, shoppers can also pedestrians free fruits and vegetables
Farmers’ Market at the Riverwalk purchase items such as flowers, fresh along with a variety of interesting
takes place every Thursday evening breads and more. recipe cards.
during the summer months, with “We had a goat cheese and goat milk “The market will only get bigger and
vendors selling their wares adjacent to vendor in 2009, and one lady sold better as we go along,” Regrutto says.
the Riverwalk Boathouse. The market
began operating in 2008 and has done
quite well during its short history.
The market occurs from the last
Thursday in June until the third
Thursday in September, so the 2010
dates will be June 24 through Sept. 16,
according to Erin Regrutto, director of
marketing for the Historic Arkansas
Riverwalk of Pueblo. The times are
4-8 p.m., and there are usually 1,000
to 1,500 people in attendance every
Thursday evening, proving that it is
turning into a successful weekly
summertime event.
Regrutto says the market also
features live musical entertainment
with popular local acts, while happy

hour boat rides along the river are also
available to the public.
“We also wanted to combine the
market with existing businesses in the
JEFF ADKINS
Families shop for fresh, locally grown produce at the Musso Farms booth at
the Farmers’ Market at the Riverwalk.

Math, Hasan School of Business, and the College of

Enrolling Right Along
I t has a student population of 5,000 – and that number
seems to be growing every year.
And no wonder. Colorado State University-Pueblo is a
beautiful campus nestled in the southern part of the state
near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just a short
drive to both Denver and Colorado Springs. In fact, the
beauty of the outdoors is one of the reasons why students
are attracted to the campus, with 300 days of sunshine
in the Pikes Peak region that allow students to enjoy
extracurricular outdoor activities.
As for academics, the campus is known for its students
being allowed to thrive in small classes that are taught by
accomplished professors, with an average student-teacher
ratio of only 18:1. There are a total of 26 undergraduate
degree programs along with six graduate degree programs
within the university’s four main schools – the College of
Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science and
Education, Engineering and Professional Studies.
Meanwhile, the university has also been making
headlines in recent times. The CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolves
football team returned to the gridiron in 2008 following
a hiatus from the sport since 1984. Besides football, the
men’s sports on campus are baseball, basketball, golf,
soccer, tennis and wrestling, and the women’s sports are
basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis,
track and volleyball.
In addition, a brand new, multimillion-dollar “The
University Library @ CSU-Pueblo” is currently under
construction on campus and slated to open in May 2011.
The spacious, impressive facility will be able to house
188,000 books, 247,000 government documents, and
13,000 CDs, DVDs and videocassettes.
The library will also offer access to 20,000 print and
online journals, and 100 online databases. It will also be
home to university archives and special collections.
– Stories by Kevin Litwin

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 29
 Green
Growth

30 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
 Business

PUEBLO IS HOME TO
SERIOUS GREEN-ENERGY
INNOVATION, PRACTICES

STORY BY JOE MORRIS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

P
ueblo’s always been known for its environmentally
proactive culture, but it’s getting greener by the
minute as new ventures and existing entities ramp
up their eco-friendly efforts.
The move to be clean as well as lean can bring a business
some welcome attention. Take cement manufacturer GCC of
America, which opened in 2008 and is now only the second
Colorado company to earn a Peak Award from Colorado
Performance Excellence.
Then there’s The Water Company, a homegrown
enterprise that is expanding its presence here by at least
140 employees over the next three to four years, as well as
building a new facility for its research, production and
marketing operations. The company’s wastewater-treatment
system includes a material and process invented by native
Brian Elson, who sold the patent to the company and leads
its research operation.
“Our founder is fourth-generation Pueblo, and the desire
to keep the latest, greatest and cutting-edge technology here
continues to be a strong push for our company,” says Victoria
Hauser, chief financial officer. “Everything is going just great

Dave Hartkop sits next to a large solar array that he built

with his brother, Michael, to generate heat from sunlight
to roast coffee at Solar Roast.

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 31
for us, and we hope to continue to bring in more business.”
Clean is even on the logo at Giovanni Clean, a commercial
cleaning and janitorial firm that is growing throughout
Pueblo and northern Colorado. The company uses
environmentally friendly supplies on its industrial and
commercial jobs.
And should anyone need a boost while saving the planet,
enjoy a cup of Solar Roast Coffee. Brothers David and Michael
Hartkop use the Helios 4, swapping fuel for sunlight on sunny
days to roast their coffee beans.
Meanwhile, Colorado State University-Pueblo is making
news these days for an on-campus solar power system, a fleet
of hybrid vehicles and just about everything in between.
“Our solar installation is the largest of any university west
of the Mississippi,” says Craig Cason, director of facilities
management. “It’s been up and running since mid-2008,
and powers about a tenth of the campus.”
The three electric cars are the building blocks of a more
economical fleet, in that they offer truck capabilities with
much smaller operating costs. Like the 1.2-megawatt solar
array, they are the result of an energy performance audit done
on campus about five years ago that led to a green cleaning-
supplies program, campuswide recycling effort and more.
“There was significant investment up front, but the
payback, which will come over the next 10 to 15 years, will
be substantial,” Cason says. “And we’ll be going back to the
performance audit and updating that so we can continue to
add programs and develop the ones we have.
“Everyone has gotten behind this, and with an enrollment
now of over 5,000 students, green power is really important,”
Cason says. “We’re looking at it as a way to keep costs down
even as we have more people on campus.”

New all-electric cars are being used by maintenance

employees on the campus of Colorado State University-
Pueblo. Above: CSU-Pueblo’s new solar panel field

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 33
Business

Biz Briefs
BUSINESSES – BOTH LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE
PUEBLO’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE

Scorecard
BUSINESS AT
A GLANCE

$1,144,120
Retail Sales

$9,708
Retail Sales
Per Capita

$175,891
Hotel/Food

10,032
Total Firms
Source: U.S. Census
QuickFacts

HOBBS FAMILY FARM

Biz: organic farm
Buzz: To become certified organic in 2001,
Hobbs Family Farm had to be free of chemical
fertilizers and pesticides for three years. The
business produces vegetables and organic
seeds. The primary crop is garlic. The farm
also serves as a teaching site for interns from
Colorado College who want to learn about
organic farming.
www.coloradogarlic.com

34 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
YMCA
Biz: fitness, youth development, health
Buzz: The YMCA of Pueblo has moved to a
new facility that offers even more services
to its growing membership. The Pueblo
Y’s mission is still outreach. Thanks to
the Strong Kids Campaign, more lower-
income youth, teens, seniors and
families throughout the community are
provided the opportunity to participate
in YMCA programs than ever before.
www.puebloymca.org

RED CREEK LAND

Biz: land sales
Buzz: Established in 1994, Red Creek
Land is a wholesale land company that
specializes in purchasing, developing
and marketing large acreage. Parcels in
the inventory range from 5 to 80 acres
of land, perfect for keeping horses or
residential development. Since its
inception, the company has marketed
more than 100,000 acres of land.
www.redcreekland.com

OCTOPUS EXPRESS
CAR WASH
Biz: car wash
Buzz: Octopus Car Washes have been in
business since the late 1950s, providing
brushless technology. Low-touch vehicle
washing was pioneered by Octopus,
which now has locations in Arizona,
Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico,
Wisconsin and Texas. The Pueblo car
wash is a ride-through express detailing
facility with free self vacuums.
www.octopuscarwash.com

COOKIE LADIES
Biz: bakery
Buzz: Cookie Ladies Riverwalk Bake
Shoppe began as a mother-daughter
team baking a small variety of cookies in
a rented kitchen. Now, the business has a
commercial kitchen in a storefront
overlooking the Riverwalk and has
added premium ice cream and more.
www.cookieladies.com

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 35

Team Stanton
Your Relocation Experts
Pierce & Debi Stanton
Broker Associates
(719) 351-4762 Cell
(719) 583-1100 Office
(719) 583-9900 Fax
debistanton@kw.com
www.stantonhomesales.com
® want to get the pulse of the community.”
Beautify Your Kitchen
Pierce & Debi Stanton
kitchentune-up
224 S. Victoria Ave.
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 647-1945 Showroom
(719) 545-2129 Fax
(719) 351-4763 Cell
pstanton@kitchentuneup.com
www.kitchentuneup.com
36 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M
Business | Chamber Report
Red Hot
CHAMBER KEEPS COMMUNITY SMOKIN’ WITH ACTIVITY
I f it happens in Pueblo, chances are
the Greater Pueblo Chamber of
Commerce is right in the thick of it.
Whether it’s providing business
assistance and legislative direction or
implementing fairs and festivals, the
chamber is either doing it or promoting
it. That’s a tall order, because this is a
busy community that reaches out to
residents and tourists alike.
“We promote anything that goes
on in Pueblo,” says Phyllis Samora,
chamber vice president.
Under the capable direction of Rod
Slyhoff, who has served as chamber
president and CEO for the past quarter
century, the chamber focus is on
providing tangible benefits to members
and creating relationships with key
leaders in order to facilitate policy that
is business-friendly.
“The chamber is the true legislative
voice of the community,” Samora says.
“The legislators call the chamber before
they introduce legislation because they
Local city and county elected officials
also work well with the chamber. “We all
want to make Pueblo a better place to
live and do business,” Samora says.
Seminars, networking opportunities,
governmental relations and leadership-
development programs are at the core of
Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce staff
the chamber’s program of work, but
Pueblo loves a party, and the chamber’s
convention and visitors bureau knows
how to throw one.
The annual chamber-sponsored
Loaf ’N Jug Chile & Frijoles Festival
draws upwards of 100,000 people
during its three days.
After the Professional Bull Riders
Inc. brought their world headquarters
to downtown Pueblo, the chamber and
PBR started the Wild Wild West
Festival (held in May each year) to
celebrate the Built Ford Tough Bull
Riding Event.
The Colorado State Fair Parade,
planned and sponsored by the chamber,
draws 40,000 people into town to kick off
this popular event, while July’s National
Little Britches Finals Rodeo guests are
greeted with a chamber-sponsored
welcome reception and other activities.
Growing in popularity is the Fat Tuesday
celebration, which started small as a
member-appreciation event, but has now
grown to include the entire community.
With all this activity, it’s only
natural that the chamber would work
to draw conventions into town, and
visitors are accommodated with almost
2,300 hotel rooms and two top-notch
meeting facilities that hold groups from
10 to 1,500. – Betsy Williams
JEFF ADKINS
PU E B LO
 Business | Economic Profile

PUEBLO
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.

ECONOMIC Colorado Office of

RESOURCES Economic Development
1625 Broadway, Suite 2700
Pueblo Economic Denver, CO 80202
Development Corporation (303) 892-3840
301 N. Main St.
Pueblo, CO 81002
(719) 544.2000 TRANSPORTATION
www.pedco.org
Pueblo Memorial Airport
Pueblo County 31201 Bryan Cir.
Economic Development Pueblo, CO 81001
TAXES 215 W. 10th St. (719) 553-2760
Pueblo, CO 81003
3.5% (719) 583-6000
Pueblo Transit
City Sales and Use Tax 123 Court St.
Southern Colorado Economic
Development District Pueblo, CO 81003
1.0% 1104 N. Main St.
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 553-2727
County Sales Tax
(719) 545-8680 Amtrak

2.9% www.scedd.com/pueblo www.amtrak.com

State Sales Tax

7.4%
Total Sales Tax

GOVERNMENT
OFFICES

Pueblo County
215 W. 10th St.
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 583-6000
www.co.pueblo.co.us

Pueblo County Veterans

Service Office
1120 Fourth St.
Pueblo, CO 81001
MORE
EOONLINE
(719) 583-4544 imagespueblo.com
City of Pueblo
1 City Hall Place More facts, stats and
Pueblo, CO 81003 community information,
(719) 553-2655 including relocation
www.pueblo.us tools and links to resources.

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 37
 visit our
Belmont Lodge
advertisers
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Parkview Medical Center
can help you Belmont Lodge
Health Care Center
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activities you enjoy! www.pueblowater.org Praise Assembly
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facility choice in your pre-planning. Colorado East Bank Pueblo County Commissioners
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WWWSAVASCCOM Mission Foods Pueblo Wingate by Wyndham
www.missionfoods.com www.wingatehotels.com

38 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO

The Doctors Will See You Now
FAST, ADVANCED MEDICINE SAVES LIVES AT ST. MARY-CORWIN
G erald Crispin knows firsthand the importance of
receiving cutting-edge medical care. The care he
received at St. Mary-Corwin saved his life.
Crispin suffered a massive stroke in 2007 while working on
the roof of his house. The Colorado City senior citizen says his
right arm became violently spastic. He was able to climb down
from the roof and stumble into his living room to call his wife,
Vera, for help. She dialed 911 and within minutes, he was
transported to St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center – where the
staff understood that every minute matters for stroke victims.
Crispin was asked in the ER if he wanted the hospital
to administer a powerful but risky drug to help him, but
he couldn’t answer – so his wife made the decision to go
ahead with it.
Dr. Stephen Brown, chief medical officer at St. Mary-
Corwin, says an advanced clot-busting drug was used on
Crispin to dissolve the blood clot in his brain that caused
the stroke.
“This drug must be administered within 3 hours of a
stroke, but it has the potential to immediately relieve the
symptoms,” Brown says. “This patient was lucky to be at St.
Mary-Corwin because our Primary Stroke Center is certified
by The Joint Commission. Stroke care at St. Mary-Corwin
functions at a very high level.”
The next morning, Crispin could actually feel his head
and body healing, and within 48 hours he was released from
St. Mary-Corwin.
PU E B LO
Health & Wellness
JEFF ADKINS
“It still took me a few months before I got my head
completely straightened out, but today I enjoy 100 percent
recovery,” he says. “Stress and high cholesterol were big
causes for my stroke, so I’ll keep working to lower those
things for the rest of my precious life.”
Top Trauma Treatment
Also functioning at a high level is the hospital’s Traumatic
Brain Injury program. Brown says that with the recent
addition of this advanced program, there have been
“extremely impressive improvements” in the mortality
statistics associated with traumatic brain injuries.
One case in point is Marcey Carlson of Pueblo, who
incurred extensive brain injuries in January 2007 after being
thrown from a speeding motorcycle. Carlson was a passenger
and not wearing a helmet, and flew 100 yards before crashing
her head into a sidewalk curb.
The 20-year-old was transported to St. Mary-Corwin
where emergency physicians removed part of her skull to
allow her brain to swell without causing damage. She was
then put into a drug-induced coma for 4 1/2 weeks.
Today, after a long therapy process, Carlson is virtually
back to being 100 percent.
“The staff at St. Mary-Corwin did absolutely everything
right, from what I’ve been told,” Carlson says. “Thanks to
their incredible talent, I’m living and enjoying my life again.”
– Kevin Litwin
I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 39
Health & Wellness
Sound the Sirens
PARKVIEW TO ADD 81 NEW PATIENT BEDS
O n several days during 2009,
Parkview Medical Center was at
full capacity with no more available
beds for patients who might have
needed them.
“Those kind of days always make me
nervous,” says Mike Baxter, president
and CEO of Parkview Medical Center.
“Hospitals across the country are faced
with a lot of challenges, but not being
able to admit patients who need access
to medical services is the biggest
challenge to me.”
Help is on the way. Parkview is
currently constructing a six-floor
patient tower that will ultimately add 81
new hospital beds to the overall medical
campus. That will increase capacity at
PMC from its current 265 acute care
beds to nearly 350 beds.
The additional beds will arrive in
three stages, as construction of each
floor is completed, Baxter says. The
lobby and second floor of the tower will
open in March 2010, adding 27 beds.
The rest will be added as the fourth and
40 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M
fifth floors are finished.
The third floor will be an
interstational area where hospital
personnel can network and discuss
medicine, while the sixth floor will
be for administrative offices.
Baxter says once the construction
project is completed, there will still be
a limited mix of semiprivate rooms at
Parkview Medical that will only be
utilized when overcrowding becomes
an issue. However, most of the rooms
at PMC will be private suites.
The new addition is the latest in
a pattern of consistent growth for
Parkview. A nine-bed nursery providing
24-hour care to premature infants –
those born as early as 30 to 32 weeks
in a pregnancy – opened in 2008. The
nursery also specializes in treating
infants with health-related issues that
require careful and ongoing monitoring.
Parkview provides the region’s most
experienced certified Level II Trauma
Center, which is staffed 24 hours a day
by board-certified physicians and
highly trained critical care nurses. The
hospital also is home to the region’s first
certified stroke center which earned the
coveted Gold Seal of Approval from the
Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Healthcare Organizations. Additional
specialties include cardiac care,
women’s services, emergency services
and neurological services.
Parkview is the area’s only hospital
to offer a complete behavioral health
program to include adolescent, adult,
geriatric and chemical dependency
care. And to help heal and comfort
the county’s youngest patients, PMC’s
Kidsville® provides an innovative
12-bed pediatric department staffed
by specially trained nurses. The newly
renovated unit – made possible through
the sponsorship of local businesses –
features updated façades and rooms,
state-of-the-art beds, flat screen
televisions, DVD players and interactive
elements to make children feel at home.
The nonprofit Parkview Medical Center
was founded in 1923 and is governed by
a board of local citizens who provide
support and direction to the hospital’s
administrators. PMC, with 1,500
employees, also serves as the second-
largest employer in Pueblo County.
– Kevin Litwin
STAFF PHOTO
PU E B LO

Mining for Heritage
PUEBLO MARKETS ITS DIVERSE ETHNIC HISTORY
P ueblo is mining its rich coal and
steel history for valuable cultural
heritage tourism opportunities.
Working through the South Central
Cultural Heritage Co-Op, Pueblo has
joined forces with four neighboring
counties to assess, develop and market
their tourism strengths – and they’re
finding that the strengths are many,
especially in building a program
around the Steelworks Museum
of Industry and Culture.
The museum, a program of the
Bessemer Historical Society, is being
developed in the buildings that
formerly served as the headquarters for
the Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation,
PU E B LO
JEFF ADKINS
which was started in 1880 and later
owned by John Rockefeller Jr. Once
completed, it will be the largest exhibit
of its kind in the United States.
“The best thing they have is the
most complete corporate archives of
any corporation in America,” says Judy
Walden, president of Walden Mills
Group of Denver, the firm that has been
hired to work with the co-op. “It is
important to our regional story because
the company owned the steel mill in
Pueblo, but they also owned 62 mines
located through the region.
“With three full-time archivists, it is
expected that it will take three to five
years to assess and catalog the 34,000
Arts & Culture
Tools used in the railroad industry
are on display at the Steelworks
Museum of Industry and Culture.
maps and drawings of the mines,
camps and community buildings. It is
an extraordinary collection,” Walden
says. “It’s just at the edge of possibilities
once they pull this all together.”
It is an intact archive, she says, one
that includes employment records and
photographs – a microcosm of Ellis
Island, because so many immigrants
settled in southern Colorado to work
in the mines and the mills.
“This is a treasure trove for people
who are doing the genealogy of their
families, because at one time there were
30,000 people working in the mines,”
Walden explains. “That gives you an
idea of how many they have records on,
and they can trace the story of the
region. In terms of cultural heritage
travel, it’s not just the notion of
bringing the regional history together
so people can get at it, but it is also
allowing people to find their own
personal history. It’s a whole
opportunity for the entire region.”
Studies show that cultural heritage
travelers are typically well educated,
well traveled, have a higher-than-
average income and are interested in
authenticity – which Pueblo and the
region have in spades. “It’s really
incredible that, in addition to this
fantastic mining heritage, there is
authentic food and drink from this
culturally diverse area,” Walden says.
“There are Slovenian and Mexican
and Greek taverns and churches and
grocery stores. History is still alive in
the neighborhoods.”
Add to that interesting mix the
magnificent scenery and a prolific arts
community, and you have a perfectly
positioned tourism effort.
“Their possibilities are so exciting,
and they are working together
beautifully,” Walden says of the
coalition. “They are telling their
authentic story and connecting people
to that through historic buildings,
taverns, food, the arts, the museums.
They are always coming up with ways
they can find they are connected.”
– Betsy Williams
I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 41
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42 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
 Sports & Recreation

Field of Their Dreams

NEW PARK OFFERS UP BALL FIELDS, GREEN SPACE, WALKING TRAILS AND MORE

T hanks to hard work from

community organizations and
a major gift from the Denver Broncos,
Current plans for the complex call
for up to 75 acres of grass that can be
marked out in various configurations
known for his involvement in youth
coaching in the area. City officials are
likely to officially name the park in the
a new youth sports center is taking for football, soccer and lacrosse fields. months prior to its opening.
shape near Lake Minnequa. That can yield four full-size, high Whatever it’s called, Martin says he
The idea had long been kicked school fields, according to Martin. and a lot of other people just can’t wait
around between city officials and There also will be an office building for until that first ref’s whistle is blown.
community leaders to develop an the police activity league, as well as “Our youth are our richest asset, and
unused, 320-acre parcel into a concession stand, restrooms and storage. something like this will really help to
recreation and open-space area to serve The park hasn’t been formally develop them,” Martin says. “This is
the city’s South Side. As part of this named yet, but there is talk of honoring going to be a wonderful place and make
development, the lake itself will be the late Nick Heine, a Pueblo police our community better as a whole.”
restored and stocked with fish, while officer who died in 2008 and was – Joe Morris
a walking/hiking trail will be
constructed around it. A picnic shelter,
playground and other amenities will
round out the parkland site. “We learned that the winning project
As for athletics, several playing
fields for baseball, basketball and had to be in the state of Colorado, and
football are on tap. To develop those as
well as some building infrastructure, that it was something that would be
a $250,000 matching grant has been
secured from the National Football backed by the NFL.”
League and the Denver Broncos, says
Jim Martin, a Pueblo police detective
and president of the Pueblo Police
Activities League.
“For a project of this magnitude to
move this fast is very impressive,” says
Martin, who hopes to have teams on the
fields by August 2010. “We’ve had the
backing of the city and the county, and
a lot of other partners. It’s really nice to
see the community get behind us to
further develop a project for our youth.”
Martin, who also is head coach at
Roncalli Middle School, says things
really heated up when several coaches
and volunteers got involved with the
Denver Broncos’ Youth Football
Task Force and learned of the team’s
annual grant.
“Our proposal said we’d form an
organization to run a sports complex,
and would use it to benefit the
community and provide certification
for coaches and officials,” Martin says.
“We eventually received the grant, and
everything really got moving.”

PU E B LO I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 43
Education
From a Distance
PUEBLO’S SCHOOL DISTRICT 70 REACHES STUDENTS THROUGH DISTANCE LEARNING
W ith four high schools dotted
over the county’s 1,800 square
miles – some as far as 40 miles apart --
in Pueblo’s School District 70 students
are learning from a distance.
Newly installed distance-learning
equipment is enabling the system to
offer advanced and foreign language
classes at all high schools, according
to Ginger Andenucio, assistant
superintendent of instruction.
44 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M
“Our two smaller high schools have
a hard time offering some courses,
especially foreign language, so this
gives them the opportunity to offer
those classes,” she says. Most popular
has been Italian, but students are also
able to sign up for advanced literature 3
and 4, advanced history and Spanish 3.
“The response has been good,”
says Tim Yates, director of technology.
“The students have enjoyed it, but some
of the students who never had that
experience before found it challenging
at the start. They are accustomed to
face-to-face instruction, so it is
different having to talk to a screen.”
The screen to which he refers is the
Promethean whiteboard, which is
present in every classroom throughout
the system’s 22 elementary, middle and
high schools.
“We decided to start relatively small
to work out all the issues,” Andenucio
says of the $95,000 investment. “It’s
a whole new concept for staff and
students, but it is something we will
continue to build upon.”
Andenucio admits that, while
distance-learning is a money-saving
feature, it isn’t the main goal. “We
installed the system to offer students
classes they otherwise would not be
getting,” she says. “The opportunities
are unlimited. Each of our high
schools offers something that
eventually can be offered to our
other high schools.”
And the concept will not be limited
to high schools, Yates says. “We may
need to drop down to the middle school
levels where the math teacher may be at
some other building in the district,” he
says, adding there is a possibility that it
could even expand to other systems.
Students aren’t the only ones being
offered instruction from a distance;
staff development is also moving in
that direction, Andenucio says.
Distance-learning and Promethean
white boards don’t represent the
system’s only foray into technology.
All high school students are assigned
laptops at the beginning of the school
year, and each middle and elementary
school has laptop carts equipped with
30 laptops, which are checked out by
teachers for various classes.
“What the principals have seen with
the laptops is that morale seems to be
better and the students are more engaged,”
Andenucio says. “We haven’t yet seen a
change in overall test scores, but we
have seen increases in subcomponents
of tests such as geometry, which we
attribute to our technology. Our whole
goal is to go from a teacher-centered
technology classroom to one that is
student-centered, focusing on what
students are doing with technology.”
– Betsy Williams
PU E B LO
Making a Difference
STUDENT SUPPORT DIVISION PROVIDES NEEDED LEARNING TOOLS
H ard work and and a little extra money are making a
difference in the Pueblo City School System.
The system’s Division of Student Support Services and
Community Services, under the direction of Kevin Romero,
promotes student civic responsibility, health and nutrition,
athletics, transportation and student intervention through
five departments serving 18,000 students.
“I believe our division is going to have the biggest impact
on the school system by increasing the graduation rate,
decreasing the drop-out rate and expulsions,” Romero says.
“It’s all about providing our students with the tools they need
so they can compete globally.”
Romero says that in just three years with this new
division, millions of dollars and new resources have been
added to the district, including 14 staff members in the Safe
and Healthy School Department funded through a $6 million
federal grant.
“A project director, positive behavior director and
specialists are working in the school system to support
teachers in the classroom around positive behavior,” Romero
says. “We have community advocates addressing drop-out
prevention strategies and connecting families to the
school system. For the first time we have mental health
professionals working in the system, and we have bully
prevention resources.”
Romero is quick to praise the division staff. “We have great
directors who come in early and work late. Through hard work
and dedication, the school district is a much better place.”
These support personnel are not in the administrative
PU E B LO
offices, Romero stresses; they are out in the schools, helping
students and families and building partnerships with area
agencies such as the YMCA, the United Way and the
corporate community.
A newly adopted code of character is being integrated
within all the schools, where every student, parent and
stakeholder signs off on the pledge of values. “The values of
honesty, trust, respect, diversity, responsibility, persistence,
citizenship, integrity and service have been adopted by the
system,” Romero says. “We are building bridges to families,
to the private sector, to non-profits. Everyone is getting on
board in addressing the code of character.”
Almost $850,000 in additional grant funds is going
through the Student Intervention Department to support
student risk programs and counselors.
Statistics show that students who are hungry do not
function at optimum levels in class, and the nutrition
department has raised funds in excess of $300,000 to
purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and new equipment and
to address needs of the homeless.
“We’ve come a long way in three years,” Romero says.
“Creating this program to make this difference was a
community vision, and it is community-driven. We have
a cohesive division working together at different schools
throughout the city. It has enhanced communication,
resulting in better transportation, nutrition, student
intervention. There’s a lot of innovation going on here.
We have a great team. It’s all about service.”
– Betsy Williams
I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 45
  
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46 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO

EDUCATIONAL
OVERVIEW
Pueblo City School District
60 spends about $7,812 per
student, in line with the state
average of $7,826. The
student-teacher ratio is 17; the
state ratio is 17. Pueblo County
Rural School District 70 spends
$6,237 per student, and the
student-teacher ratio is 19.
MEDICAL SERVICES
OVERVIEW
Southern Colorado is blessed
with a pair of excellent not-for-
profit hospitals: Parkview and
St. Mary-Corwin medical
centers. Both offer critical-
care transport from
surrounding areas. Both have
first-rate emergency room
PU E B LO
Community Profile
PUEBLO
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.
services and facilities. And January Low Temperature
both are dedicated to providing 14 F
the Pueblo region with January High Temperature
excellence in medical care. 48 F
July Low Temperature
CLIMATE OVERVIEW 52 F
July High Temperature
The Pueblo County growing
91 F
season is 180 days, but the
county’s elevation range
(4,400 to 12,000 feet) can HOUSING COST
influence what can be grown
in different areas. Crops such
as alfalfa, corn, melons,
$126,562
Average Home Price
onions, peppers and tomatoes
thrive throughout Pueblo
County, but all require 14.17%
supplemental water. Home Turnover Percentage
MORE
E ON
O
ONLINE
imagespueblo.com
More facts, stats and
community information,
including relocation
tools and links to resources.
THIS SECTION IS SPONSORED BY
I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M 47
 Abriendo Inn

Abriendo Inn Bed & Breakfast


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48 I M AG E S P U E B L O . C O M PU E B LO
Ad Index
48 ABRIENDO INN 3 6 K ITC H E N T U N E U P

3 8 B E L M O N T LO D G E 1 M A R R I OT T H OT E L S
H E A LT H C A R E C E N T E R & R E S O RTS

42 B OA R D O F WAT E R WO R K S 4 8 M I S S I O N FO O DS P U E B LO

4 6 C & M CO N S U LTI N G L LC 42 N O RT H S TA R E N G I N E E R I N G

3 8 C K S U RG I C A L L LC
C 3 PA R K V I E W M E D I C A L C E N T E R
2 8 CO LO R A D O E A S T BA N K
2 P E D CO
3 5 CO LO R A D O S TAT E FA I R
4 6 P R A I S E A S S E M B LY
C 4 CO LO R A D O
S TAT E U N I V E R S IT Y 47 P U E B LO C IT Y S C H O O L S

32 G R E AT E R 5 P U E B LO
P U E B LO C H A M B E R CO N V E N T I O N C E N T E R

4 6 H A R P AU T H O R IT Y/ 4 8 P U E B LO CO U N T Y
P U E B LO R I V E RWA L K CO M M I S S I O N E R S
 Ad Index (cont.)
3 5 P U E B LO S C H O O L
D I S T R I C T 70

7 R EG E N C Y
R I D G E D E V E LO P M E N T

4 8 R E S TAU R A N T 1 52 1

4 8 R I C E RO OT

C 2 S T. M A RY CO RW I N
MEDICAL CENTER

42 T H E R E A LT Y P OS T

6 W I N GAT E BY W Y N D H A M