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CHILE POWER Food Wars battle slopper vs. slopper E IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT Revitalization plans generate excitement Sailing Right Along Recreation options include lake, zoo, Riverwalk, rodeo Find out about the plethora of cultural activities offered in Pueblo. What’s Online SPONSORED BY THE GREATER PUEBLO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2011 | IMAGESPUEBLO.COM PUEBLO, COLORADO ®

Images Pueblo, Colorado 2011

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Pueblo is the county seat and most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, and is the economic hub of southeastern Colorado. Pueblo is an international, multi-racial and multi-cultural community with a well-established Hispanic community that encompasses more than 40 percent of the population. One of the largest steel-producing cities in the United States, Pueblo is sometimes referred to as the "Steel City". And as the hometown of four Medal of Honor recipients — more per capita than any other city in the United States — Pueblo is also known as the "Home of Heroes." Located at the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, Pueblo has been an important crossroads for transportation and trading for more than 150 years.

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Page 1: Images Pueblo, Colorado 2011

CHILE POWERFood Wars battle slopper vs. slopper

E IS FOREntERtaInmEntRevitalization plans generate excitement

Sailing Right alongRecreation options include lake, zoo, Riverwalk, rodeo

Find out about the plethora of cultural activities offered

in Pueblo.

What’s Online

SPOnSOREd by tHE gREatER PuEbLO CHambER OF COmmERCE

2011 | ImagESPuEbLO.COm

PuEbLO, COLORadO

®

Page 7: Images Pueblo, Colorado 2011

pueblo 3

On tHE COvER Lake Pueblo State Park Photo by Jeff Adkins

departments

8 almanac

34 biz briefs

36 Chamber Report

37 Economic Profile

38 Sports & Recreation

40 Health & Wellness

42 arts & Culture

44 Local Flavor

46 Education

48 Community Profile

2011 EdItIOn | vOLumE 17

PuEbLO, COLORadO

®

cOntents

Features

12 E IS FOR EntERtaInmEntRevitalization plans generate excitement.

16 CHILE POWERSloppers compete in Travel Channel’s Food Wars.

22 HEatIng uP tHE gRIdBusinesses take advantage of plentiful sunlight to trim energy costs.

26 LESSER knOWn RECREatIOn gEmSCity has excellent venues for family fun.

30 CuRREnt aFFaIRSVestas Wind Systems cites workforce, locale in choosing Pueblo for new plant.

22

26All or part of this magazine is printed on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

please recycle this magazine

Page 8: Images Pueblo, Colorado 2011

pueblo 5

Building a Better Colorado.

TOGETHER.

JOin Us.

BECaUsE wE all CaRE aBOUT COlORadO.

Gay & Lesbian Fund for ColoradoAdvancing Equality. Stengthening Nonprofits. Building a Better Colorado.

Support local and statewide nonprofits that make our state great.

Over our 15-year history, we’ve invested more than $24.8 million to improve the lives of all

Coloradans. We invest in nonprofits because we believe that Colorado is a better place to live, work,

and play when each and every person has the opportunity, support and resources they need to thrive.

The hundreds of nonprofit organizations in which we invest are committed to improving the quality of life for all of Colorado’s

residents. Our program areas include Arts & Culture, Healthy Families, Civic Participation, and Public Broadcasting.

iMPaCTinG YOUR COMMUniTY.SOME OF THE NONPROFITS WE SUPPORT IN SOUTHERN COLORADO INCLUDE:

See a full listing of the Colorado nonprofits we support at www.gayandlesbianfund.org.

• Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center

• Pueblo Child Advocacy Center

• Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation

• Pueblo Community Health Center

• Latino Chamber Development Corporation

• Southern Colorado Community Foundation

• Alzheimer’s Association of Pueblo

• KRCC 91.5 FM Public Radio

Arts & Culture

Civic Participation

Healthy Families

Public Broadcasting

Supporting fine arts and cultural awareness initiatives that enrich people’s lives and stimulate conversation, while challenging stereotypes and building bridges between diverse populations.

Support of programs that address basic needs of Colorado’s children, youth and families including mental, emotional, and spiritual health, and essentials like food and shelter.

Supporting public radio and television programming throughout Colorado to help promote and encourage intelligent dialogue around important issues facing our state.

A strong, inclusive, democratic society needs individuals who actively participate in their communities. That’s why we support civic education, leadership development, community activism and advocacy.

Page 9: Images Pueblo, Colorado 2011

pueblo 5

What’s Online imagespueblo.com

CHILE POWERFood Wars battle slopper vs. slopper

E IS FOREntERtaInmEntRevitalization plans generate excitement

Sailing Right alongRecreation options include lake, zoo, Riverwalk, rodeo

Find out about the plethora of cultural activities offered

in Pueblo.

What’s Online

SPOnSOREd by tHE gREatER PuEbLO CHambER OF COmmERCE

2011 | ImagESPuEbLO.COm

PuEbLO, COLORadO

®

See more photos in our online photo gallery

Get the inside scoop from our photographers’ blog

Easily share articles and photos on Facebook, Twitter or via e-mail

Photos

Digital eDition

Facts & statsDig deeper with in-depth data on industries, schools and more

ViDeoGet a moving glimpse at favorite local places and attractions

Real estateLearn about the local housing market and get started finding your place

Page 10: Images Pueblo, Colorado 2011

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Page 11: Images Pueblo, Colorado 2011

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PROjECt managER CouRTney SeiTeR

PROOFREadIng managER RAVen PeTTy

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ad PROduCtIOn managER kATie middendoRf

ad tRaFFIC aSSIStantS kRySTin Lemmon, PATRiCiA moiSAn

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COORdInatOR SheLLy miLLeR

SaLES SuPPORt managER Cindy hALL

COLOR ImagIng tECHnICIan ALiSon hunTeR

CHaIRman GReG ThuRmAn

PRESIdEnt/PubLISHER BoB SChWARTzmAn

ExECutIvE vICE PRESIdEnt RAy LAnGen

SEnIOR v.P./SaLES Todd PoTTeR, CARLA ThuRmAn

SEnIOR v.P./OPERatIOnS CASey heSTeR

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maRkEtIng CREatIvE dIRECtOR keiTh hARRiS

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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 e-mail at [email protected].

FOR mORE InFORmatIOn, COntaCt:Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce

302 n. Santa fe Ave. • Pueblo, Co 81003Phone: (719) 542-1704 • fax: (719) 542-1624

www.pueblochamber.org

vISIt images pueblo OnLInE at ImagESPuEbLO.COm

©Copyright 2010 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

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member Custom Content Council

member Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce

Page 12: Images Pueblo, Colorado 2011

Speed ThrillsThe national Street Rod Association

has served street rod fanatics since 1970,

and that includes gear-heads in Pueblo.

each June, the nSRA brings the Rocky

mountain Street Rods nationals to the

Colorado State fairgrounds, and in 2010

the organization signed a five-year

extension to continue bringing the series

through at least 2015. more than 2,000

street rods are in attendance at the three-

day Pueblo event, with the value of those

vehicles exceeding $50 million.

8 imAgespueblo.com pueblo 9

Welcome to PuebloAn intRoduction to the AReA’s people, plAces And events

Bronco BustingLooking for a taste of the west? The

Pueblo-based Professional Bull Riders

Association has you covered. The

association sponsors the Wild Wild West

festival, a four-day celebration each may

that offers everything from bull riding to

art shows to hot-air balloons. The event

takes place at the Colorado State

fairgrounds in Pueblo and along union

Street, drawing about 60,000 people. The

fest concludes each night with the elite

Built ford Tough Series Pueblo invitational.

it’s a SteelBack in 1880, Colorado fuel and iron became the driving

force behind the development of Pueblo.

To commemorate the contribution of Cf&i, a Steelworks

museum of industry and Culture has opened on east Abriendo.

Visitors can explore the history of steel making, mining natural

resources, heavy industry in the West and the many lives

touched by the largest steel mill west of the mississippi River.

exhibits include The Story of Steel, Cf&i Through Time, and

dispensary and x-Ray Room. The museum is open from 10

a.m. to 4 p.m. monday through Saturday, and admission is

$5 per adult and $3 per child ages 4-12.

Almanac

Page 13: Images Pueblo, Colorado 2011

POPuLatIOnPueblo: 104,175

Pueblo County: 156,737

LOCatIOnPueblo is situated beside the Arkansas

River in southeastern Colorado,

110 miles south of denver.

bEgInnIngSThe el Pueblo Trading Post was

established in 1842, and the city of

Pueblo was incorporated in 1870.

FOR mORE InFORmatIOnGreater 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

pueblo at a glance

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

Boone

Rye

Caañon Cityty

Wetmoree

BeulahPUEBLO

Pueblo

11515

1656

6767

9696

96

78

96

10

50

50

25

To Colorado Springsolo

Pueblo

8 imAgespueblo.com pueblo 9

The Plane Truthmore than 25 aircraft dating back to

World War ii – including a huge B-29

called Peachy – are on display at the

Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft museum.

The museum on the grounds of Pueblo

municipal Airport is managed by the Pueblo

historical Aircraft Society. Starting in 1972,

then-Pueblo city manager fred Weisbrod

began collecting vintage airplanes, and

today the museum also includes thousands

of artifacts. An interesting exhibit is a

collection of women’s uniforms from

all branches of service in WWii.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to

4 p.m. monday through Saturday and

noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7

for visitors age 10 and older.

Fast Factsn Founded in 1872, the colorado state Fair is held in pueblo each year at the 102-acre colorado state Fairgrounds.

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 A whitewater park opened in downtown pueblo in may 2005 that covers a half-mile stretch with eight different water features.

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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Page 15: Images Pueblo, Colorado 2011

Juneteenth dayJuneteenth is celebrated in more than 200 cities in the united

States, including Pueblo.

June 19, 1865 is considered to be the date when the last slaves

in America were freed, and that day has come to symbolize for many

African Americans what the fourth of July symbolizes for all Americans.

Juneteenth day recognizes and honors black ancestry not for slavery,

but for the freedom that was rightfully passed to them.

Juneteenth has been occurring in Pueblo since 1981 and occurs at

the Colorado State fairgrounds family Park.

Viva Las Vegaselvis impersonators, rejoice. There are now direct flights connecting

Pueblo to Las Vegas.

Allegiant Air announced in August 2010 that nonstop jet service

between the two cities would begin oct. 7, 2010. The new flights

operate two times weekly – Thursday and Sunday – between Pueblo

memorial Airport and mcCarran international Airport.

flights depart Pueblo at 7:25 p.m. and arrive in Las Vegas at

8:25 p.m., and depart Las Vegas at 3:55 p.m. and arrive in Pueblo at

6:45 p.m. Allegiant Air uses twin-engine, 150-seat jets for all the trips.

10 imAgespueblo.com pueblo 11

All Around the World

if you want an Asian adventure

without flying 10 hours to Asia,

then check out Pueblo zoo.

The year-round destination has

exhibits such as Asian Adventure,

Serengeti Safari, north American

Grasslands, the Australian outback

and World of Color. The zoo also

features a tropical rain forest and

an underwater viewing of

penguins, plus an islands of Life

shipwreck journey as well as a

Pioneer Ranch friendly farm.

Pueblo zoo is home to 400

animals from 140 species that

are living on 25 acres in Pueblo

City Park.

What’s Online Find out why visitors go wild over the diverse inhabitants of the Pueblo Zoo by watching a quick video at imagespueblo.com.

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entertainmente is FOrInItIatIvE WILL makE HEaRt OF PuEbLO a bOOm aREa

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historic buildings occupied by restaurants, shops and

apartments line union Avenue in downtown pueblo.

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excitement, enthusiasm, entertainment, enchantment, excellence, energy – everything.

The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce has launched a new visitor destination initiative called

E District. The district is actually a geographic area in the heart of Pueblo that encompasses the Riverwalk, Pueblo Convention Center and the historic Union Avenue shopping district.

The initiative is an effort to further promote venues that already exist in the E District, plus plan several future projects to further enhance the area. Some of those proposed projects are huge.

“Our Riverwalk channel currently runs where E Street used to be, so this new initiative began with the old E Street name and then we started using all the other E words to market the effort,” Rod Slyhoff, president of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, says. “This newly named district has a lot of entertainment potential, and much of it will focus on attracting sports events.”

Expand and Establish more Hot SpotsSlyhoff says the chamber, city officials, urban renewal

officials, Destination Pueblo, the Pueblo Convention Center and other groups are now concentrating on expanding and establishing more venues that can be used for amateur sport competitions in the E District.

“First of all, there are expansion plans for a large exhibition hall inside the convention center where Pueblo can host large volleyball tournaments, karate tournaments, cheerleading competitions and wrestling events,” he says. “There are also plans to eventually construct a regional aquatic center and water park in the E District. The aquatic

center would have a lap pool for large swimming competitions, with spectator viewing. There is a growing demand for those types of aquatic facilities along the Front Range, and we want one.”

Pueblo already Welcomes SportsThere are also talks of the E District aggressively

attracting some big-name, sports-related retailers to settle along Union Avenue.

“Pueblo already is home to the Professional Bull Riders world headquarters, and the city hosts the annual 1A state boys and girls high school basketball tournaments, as well as the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments,” Slyhoff says. “A large soccer tournament called the Sunbelt Classic also comes to Pueblo each year, along with the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo. We host a lot of sporting events – we just want to start hosting a lot more. We want to be a destination for athletic competitions.”

It’ll take time to developSlyhoff says E District is already within close proximity to

Pueblo Memorial Airport, and he believes several residents from Colorado Springs would make the 45-minute drive to Pueblo to attend sporting events once everything in E District is in place.

“This is a project that will take years in the development process, but we have already begun construction of a building that will house four restaurants and have office space,” he says. “E District is an exciting project – it’s already home to an inspiring Medal of Honor Memorial and a Walk of Valor. This district is a lofty vision that this community is dedicated to creating.”

SToRy By kEvIn LItWInPhoToGRAPhy By jEFF adkInS

colorful international flags fly on union Avenue.

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union Avenue

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ChilePower

SLOPPERS COmPEtE In tRavEL CHannEL’S Food Wars

can one little pepper power a city?

In Pueblo, the green chile is a force to be

reckoned with. It’s the special ingredient many local restaurants find creative uses for, and it’s what brings 100,000 spectators to Union Avenue each year for the Loaf ‘N Jug Chile & Frijoles Festival. Most recently, the green chile brought the city some

national media attention on a Travel Channel TV show and helped earn Pueblo a spot on Livability.com’s Top 10 Surprising Foodie Cities list.

Chile Foods and FestsChile peppers are a mascot of sorts

in Pueblo. Nestled in the Arkansas River Valley, Pueblo has cool nights, hot days and frigid river water fresh from the Rockies, all of which contribute to

the mira sol variety of pepper, affec-tionately known as the Pueblo chile.

A large, f lavorful chile that is thick-skinned and easy to peel, these peppers are addictive! The zing you feel when you bite into a chile actually goes straight to your brain, which releases the natural painkiller endorphin to give the eater that “chile high.”

Locals and visitors feed their addiction every fall during the town’s

SToRy By kEvIn LItWIn

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Loaf ‘N Jug Chile & Frijoles Festival, the annual celebration of the array of peppers grown in the area.

“The festival has definitely increased the awareness of Pueblo’s chile crop throughout the region and state, thus increasing the demand,” says Juls Bayci, communications director for the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce.

Each year the farmers plant nearly 300 acres of chilies and close to 500 acres of frijoles. Farmers like Carl Musso of Musso’s Farm sell thousands of bushels of chilies worth tens of thousands of dollars at the fest.

Amid pepper-eating contests, cook-offs, craft booths and live music performances, the smell of farmers roasting chilies hangs in the air.

“It’s just getting bigger and better every year,” said Musso, who owns the oldest and most well-known chile farm in the area. Many restaurants feature Musso Farms chilies on their menus. The Musso Farms pizza, at popular local pizzeria Angelo’s, features sausage, pepperoni and chilies.

Hot, medium or mild, Pueblo’s chilies lend a little kick and a hearty f lavor when eaten plain, mixed into an entrée or atop a tortilla chip. And if you think there’s a limit to what chilies can do, consider Pueblo’s other concoctions, like green chili jams and jellies, breads, stews – even beer. Whether they’re fire roasted, barbecued or baked, Pueblo green chilies kick anything up a notch or two.

Sloppers get tv timeSmother a burger with the famous

chilies and top with raw onions and you’ve got a slopper, possibly Pueblo’s most unique contribution to the food world.

The origin of the messy meal (most often served in a bowl, to be eaten with a spoon) is a little cloudy. Although it is known to have originated in Pueblo, no one can agree on which restaurant was the first to serve it.

Today, a variety of Pueblo restaurants slop up sloppers, including the Pantry Restaurant on E. Abriendo

Fire roasting pueblo chilies

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Clockwise from top: handpicking chilies at musso’s Farm in pueblo; Annual loaf ‘n Jug chile & Frijoles Festival; the lunch crowd fills the tables at sunset inn bar & grill, the recent winner of a slopper showdown on the travel channel’s Food Wars.

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What’s Online Hungry for more?Visit imagespueblo.com for extra chile power.

• Take a video tour of Pueblo’s green chile slopper restaurants

• See a video of the annual Chile and Frijoles Festival

• Read about the Travel Channel’s slopper showdown

and Primetime Sports Emporium on W. 7th St.

In April 2010, Sunset Inn Bar & Grill and Gray’s Coors Tavern were contacted by the Travel Channel to compete, slopper vs. slopper, in an episode of Food Wars, the TV show that pits two eating establishments against each other in a competition to prepare a signature dish that is unique to their particular city.

“Travel Channel found out about the Pueblo slopper on the Internet and called us in early April 2010 to get everything in motion,” says Chuck Chavez, co-owner of Sunset Inn with his wife, Gerda.

More than 1,000 spectators were in attendance for the show’s taping at the spacious Pueblo Union Depot.

“A Travel Channel representative told me our business would never be the same after the episode aired, and she was right,” says Donnie Gray, co-owner of Gray’s Coors Tavern with his uncle, Gary Gray. “The episode was finally televised for the first time on Sept. 1, 2010, and we have done a booming slopper business ever since.”

By the way, the Food Wars winner was Sunset Inn, whose slopper consists of a three-quarter-pound patty, bun, melted cheese, shredded cheese, hot green chile, crackers, tortillas and onions.

“But honestly, we really make the best slopper in Pueblo – most people know that we do,” Donnie Gray says with a smile. “During the first couple weeks after the program was shown, we were selling about 1,500 sloppers a week. That’s why many people visit our tavern – to have a slopper. The show has been great for both places because many residents of Pueblo never visited Coors Tavern or Sunset Inn before the airing. Now they do.”

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pueblo 23

With a thriving alternative-energy business sector and plenty of local

companies building and rehabbing facilities to take advantage of natural resources, Pueblo’s going green at both ends of the spectrum.

With strong sunlight almost every day of the year, solar energy is leading the charge here. New technologies are allowing businesses of all sizes to add solar power arrays to their buildings, and the effort is proving to be worth the cost.

Solar array boosts Savings at andrews Foodservice

At Andrews Foodservice Systems, a new 100,000-square-foot warehouse is powered primarily by a 100,800-watt photovoltaic energy system designed and installed by Vibrant Solar Inc. It has 500 solar panels, and is expected to reduce Andrews’ electricity demand by at least 23 percent once it’s fully operational, says George Andrews III, president and chief executive officer.

“It went into operation in March 2010, and we anticipate that we’re going to see those savings,” Andrews says. “It’s already helping us with certain contracts, because we’re considered a ‘green’ company now, and so it’s good for us in a number of ways.”

Solar Roast Coffee breaks ground With Roaster

On the “small but mighty” side you’ll find Solar Roast Coffee, which was begun in 2004 by brothers Michael and David Hartkop. They built their first solar coffee roaster from an old satellite dish, and have been upgrading and expanding their groundbreaking technology to keep pace with the company’s success ever since.

“We’re currently in the process of developing our fifth-generation machine, and raising capital to build our first-ever roof-mounted roaster,” Michael says. “We’re going to build into a historic building downtown, where nobody’s done solar yet, so that’ll be our next step.”

black Hills Energy builds new gas-fired Plant

On a much more massive scale, Black Hills Energy also is utilizing natural energy, albeit from a more ground-up approach. The energy giant is building a new power plant to serve the Pueblo area, and will power the $500 million facility with natural gas, rather than coal, to lessen its environmental impact. The gas-fired plant is set to open by January 2012.

The plant’s ability to scale its output up or down depending on need is key to this area as solar-energy installations can sometimes cause spikes, says Christopher Burke, vice president of operations for Black Hills Energy-Colorado Electric.

“PV-solar is approaching the point at which it begins to make more economic sense for all customers,” Burke says, adding that the plant will be able to provide needed boosts in power if the sun is blocked by cloud cover, or the wind stops blowing to power turbines.

“The quick-response capability

PuEbLO buSInESSES takE advantagE OF PLEntIFuL SunLIgHt tO tRIm EnERgy COStS

The Grid

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Heating Up

the Andrews Foodservice systems distribution center is primarily powered by 500 rooftop solar panels.

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incorporated into the design of the Pueblo Airport Generating Station projects make its units ideally suited for this purpose,” Burke says.

CSu-Pueblo Leads With alt-energy Studies, Pilot Projects

The world of academia is also heavily invested in the region’s green future. Known as the “Green University,” Colorado State University-Pueblo has research programs in everything from alternative fuels and engines to atmospheric monitoring. CSU-Pueblo also has many physical manifestations of new technology, including an 18.9-kilowatt solar array that ties directly into the engineering building’s electrical system, new LEED-certified residence halls and an LED street lighting pilot initiative in the larger Pueblo community.

SECRES, CSu-Pueblo Sponsor Expo, Solar tour

The university also co-sponsors the annual REPowering Southern Colorado renewable-energy expo every August in tandem with the Southeast Colorado Renewable Energy Society, or SECRES. That kind of outreach to both the busi-ness and residential communities will be key in the city’s success as a growing new-energy hub, says Tom Corlett, a co-founder of SECRES and a principal in Sustainable Buildings Concepts.

“We want to keep doing things like the expo, and our annual National Solar Tour, that shows people projects that are functioning, and the savings that are being realized as opposed to just being forecast,” Corlett says. “Our goal is to show people that it’s actually working; the more we do that, the more people will want to come here, and we’ll become the solar capital of Colorado.”

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andrews Foodservice Systems is southern Colorado’s largest

commercial solar array.

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the staff at Pueblo Plaza Ice Arena plans to install a laser light show in late 2010 or early 2011. That light show should attract high school and college students to public skating sessions on Friday and

Saturday nights.It is one of several citywide recreational activities that

are being planned or are already in place throughout Pueblo.“The arena is open year-round and offers public skating

sessions, learn-to-skate classes, youth and adult hockey leagues, broomball and curling,” says Creighton Wright, director of parks and recreation for the City of Pueblo. “Not a lot of people know about everything that our beautiful arena offers, but the word is getting out more and more.”

Additional lesser-known recreational gems in Pueblo are as follows:

City Park disc golf CourseThis 18-hole course is in the northwestern corner of City

Park. It opened in 1999 and is the third-oldest disc course in the nation. City Park Disc Golf Course is open year-round from dawn to dusk, and there is no charge to play.

“The course is challenging with elevation changes, trees and other obstacles,” Wright says. “It is a registered member of the

CIty HaS unIquE vEnuES FOR FamILy Fun

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Walk in the parknot JUst a

From left to right: city park disc golf course; golfing at elmwood at pueblo’s city park

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Professional Disc Golf Association and has hosted the Colorado Disc Golf Championship. There could be 100 to 300 people playing the game at City Park on a given afternoon or weekend.”

City bark at City ParkThe 2.5-acre park opened in 2008 and the facility has

already won awards for its design. It features a water fountain, tables and benches, and is located at the west end of City Park between the two softball fields.

“City Bark is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and dogs can run free once they are inside the fence,” Wright says. “It’s a great place for both the dogs and their owners.”

Runyon FieldThis Pueblo County-run ballpark is just east of Interstate

25 off the Santa Fe exit, north of Runyon Lake. There are two high school-sized baseball fields and two junior-sized baseball diamonds.

“Runyon Field was established in 1938 and Babe Ruth played an exhibition game at the park that year,” Wright says. “It is named in honor of former Pueblo resident and noted newspaperman Damon Runyon, and continues to be a great baseball destination and sports gem for our community.”

kiddie RidesAt City Park across from the main entrance to Pueblo Zoo,

a Kiddie Rides attraction is open to all residents and visitors, and is one of the best family values in the city.

“There are 12 rides for little kids, and the two favorite rides are a carousel and a train,” Wright says. “The carousel dates back to 1911 and costs 50 cents to ride, and the train goes around Horseshoe Lake and also costs 50 cents. All other rides are 25 cents, so a family can have an enjoyable afternoon or evening for around $10. It’s one of the lesser-known recreation gems in Pueblo that help make this city such a nice place to live.”

Residents enjoy year-round access to ice skating at pueblo plaza ice Arena.

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AffAirsCUrrent

vEStaS WInd SyStEmS CItES WORkFORCE, LOCaLE In CHOOSIng PuEbLO FOR nEW PLant

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When you’ve got it all, people notice.

In Pueblo’s case, the stars aligned brilliantly when work began to lure Vestas Wind Systems to town. Vestas, the world’s

biggest supplier of wind-powered systems, was looking for a U.S. location for its new wind-turbine component manufacturing plant, which would be the world’s largest. The company wanted a central location, an alternative-energy savvy city, a quality workforce and an involved, engaged local and state government presence. In Pueblo, it got all that and then some, Anthony J. Knopp, vice president of Vestas Towers Americas Inc., says.

Workforce, Location key to vestas decision“Pueblo is centralized to our customers, and the

transportation structure here has greatly reduced our costs to move our products,” Knopp says. “We also found state and local governments that would strongly sponsor our technology, and support our industry.”

Since opening in early 2010, the 670,000-square-foot, four-building Vestas complex has begun to ramp up production, sending out its first product in May. The company is only using 300 of its 800 acres, so growth will be easily managed in the future. Early projections called for a 500-employee starting point, and the company is well on its way to meeting

A large wind turbine stands in front of the new vestas Wind systems manufacturing plant in pueblo.

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that goal. In fact, employees and employee training were other major draws for Vestas when it began researching Pueblo, Knopp says.

“We were looking for a location where we could find metalworking employees with a background and similar skill sets to what we needed,” Knopp says. “There are five generations of people who have worked in the steel industry here. We knew that we could take and mold those people into what we needed, that we could train them into our culture.”

Pueblo Community College Reworks, adds training Programs

Vestas found a capable partner in Pueblo Community College, which already had a well-established workforce-training program, and the two entities quickly boosted those synergies with contract instructors for specialized jobs, and other custom applications tailored to meet the new plant’s needs.

“We worked with their consultant, who had put together a spreadsheet of skill sets that about wallpapered half my office,” John C. Vukich, dean of PCC’s Economic & Workforce Development Division, says. “We had about a 60 percent overlap in terms of things we were already capable of doing, and we accomplished the remaining areas by bringing in outside sources or building up our own staff.”

The college only had a few months to put programs into place before mid-2009, when the training needed to begin, but was able to meet the goal. That success gives local economic-development officials a real boost when talking to companies that may work alongside Vestas, or are in entirely different fields, Vukich says.

“We can build further from this platform, and it’s huge that our people, no matter who the employer is, can show that we have a skilled workforce, and that we can train them here,” he says. “Now we have this big success to tout, and it’s a tremendous calling card for our community.”

employees of vestas manufacturing wind turbines

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Biz Briefsbusinesses – both lARge And smAll – thAt

help deFine pueblo’s economic climAte

StOEHR CLEanERSBiz: Dry cleaningBuzz: Stoehr Cleaners has several convenient locations throughout Pueblo, with all stores open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Services include leather and suede cleaning, extensive shirt service, alterations and drapery cleaning. Stoehr will even go to a customer’s house for in-home cleaning tasks. The company also does reweaving, wedding gown preservation and zipper repairs, as well as water and smoke damage service. (719) 543-3360

scorecardbuSInESS at

a gLanCE

$1.1 billionannual Retail Sales

$9,708Retail Sales

Per Capita

$176 millionannual Hotel

and Food Sales

10,032total Firms

Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

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Shirley Saddoris Broker

The Realty Post 8875 3R Rd. Beulah, CO 81023 (719) 485-3333 phone/fax(719) 250-7519 [email protected] www.TheRealtyPost.net

Call me for all your real estate needs!

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CK Surgical LLCwww.ck.md

Colorado State Fairwww.coloradostatefair.com

Colorado State Universitywww.colostate-pueblo.edu

Gay & Lesbian Fund for Coloradowww.gayandlesbianfund.org

Greater Pueblo Chamberwww.pueblochamber.org

Greenlight Tavern

Hampton Inn & Suites Pueblo Southgatewww.hamptoninnpueblo.com

Northstar Engineeringwww.northstar-co.com

Parkview Medical Centerwww.parkviewmc.org

Praise Assemblywww.pueblopraise.org

Pueblo Community Collegewww.pueblocc.edu

Pueblo Convention Centerwww.puebloconventioncenter.com

Pueblo Economic Development Corporationwww.pedco.org

St. Mary Corwin Medical Centerwww.stmarycorwin.org

The Realty Postwww.therealtypost.net

Wingate by Wyndhamwww.wingatehotels.com

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HEaLtH aCCESS PuEbLOBiz: Affordable health careBuzz: Health Access Pueblo is an initiative started by proactive leaders in Pueblo to create a local nonprofit organization that will offer comprehensive, high-quality coverage to the working uninsured.www.healthaccesspueblo.org

aLI’I managEmEntBiz: Office space brokerBuzz: Ali’i Management Inc. provides on-site management and on-site maintenance staff, and offers lease incentives for qualifying tenants. www.aliimgmt.com

CIgaRS LImItEdBiz: Cigars and accessoriesBuzz: The store on South Union Avenue features a large array of cigar-related items, including more than 50 well-known brands from around the world. Besides fine cigars, Cigars Limited sells premium tobacco, cutters, lighters and select pipes. There is also a humidor on-site set at an ideal 64 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 percent humidity, so that all of the cigars are guaranteed optimum flavor. (719) 542-4300

FLOWER avIatIOnBiz: Airport servicesBuzz: Flower Aviation is based at Pueblo Municipal Airport and offers a variety of services to private aircraft owners. The company has car and limousine rental, a conference room, comfortable lounge with fireplace, a weather computer, f light planning room and in-house catering. Flower Aviation also offers aircraft services such as deicing, defueling, oxygen and nitrogen tanks, and a spacious hangar.www.floweraviation.com

tHE WatER COmPanyBiz: Clean-tech water treatmentBuzz: This homegrown enterprise uses an electrical separation system for reducing contaminants and impurities from water. The Water Company is mostly known for its wastewater treatment system that includes a process invented by Pueblo native Brian Elson, who continues to lead the research operation. www.wtrcompany.com

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chamber reportmembeRs pRAise gReAteR pueblo chAmbeR oF commeRce

arnold gallegos says whenever a convention or festival arrives in Pueblo, the staff at Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce recommends that visitors contact his company. Those recommendations result in a great deal of business for him.

Gallegos is president and owner of Shuttle Service of Southern Colorado, and has been a chamber member since 1999.

“Yes, the chamber throws me a lot of shuttle business – in fact, they use me exclusively for charters to and from the main parking lot at the annual Loaf ‘N Jug Chile & Frijoles Festival,” Gallegos says. “They have also called me to transport several legislators to and from Pueblo Memorial Airport. Being a Pueblo chamber member has many advantages.”

bob nicholson, owner of Southwest Brokerage Corp. and a chamber member since 1974, thinks the biggest value of the Pueblo chamber is that they are the marketing arm of the city.

“Those folks market to prospective residents, companies and employees who might be considering Pueblo as a new home,” Nicholson says. “That kind of growth is vital to our economy, and the chamber is always trumpeting what Pueblo is all about. Their staff attends trade shows, organizes events

to bring people to Pueblo, and does promotional pieces such as Images Pueblo magazine. I will remain a chamber member as long as I’m in business.”

Elizabeth gallegos, owner of Euphoria Salon, sponsors an event each August called Free Kids Cut Day. It provides free haircuts to any child throughout Pueblo, and the chamber is a major promoter of the proceedings.

“This event results in free haircuts to about 200 kids, and the chamber helps pass out f liers and posts the event on their website, where the information is very easy to access,” Gallegos says. “One nice story is that in 2009, we gave haircuts to several children in one family and saved them $75, and the mother told me that she was then able to buy new shoes for all her children for school.”

Gallegos, a chamber member for 10 years, adds that the Pueblo chamber also asks for feedback from all small business owners in an effort to help make those businesses more successful.

“The chamber often e-mails helpful information and helps my business in many other ways,” she says. “I had my best year ever in 2009 and expect the numbers to be just as strong in 2010, and I credit the chamber with assisting with my overall success. I will always be a Pueblo chamber member.”

– Kevin Litwin

greater pueblo chamber of commerce staff

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taxES

3.5%city sales and use tax

1.0%county sales tax

2.9%state sales tax

7.4%total sales tax

EduCatIOn

6,049Associates

9,069bachelors

5,544graduate

ECOnOmIC RESOuRCES

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

InCOmE

$19,827per capita income

$43,978Average Annual household expenditure

tRanSPORtatIOn

Pueblo memorial airport

31201 Bryan Cir.

Pueblo, Co 81001

(719) 553-2760

Pueblo transit

123 Court St.

Pueblo, Co 81003

(719) 553-2727

WORkFORCE

82%White collar Jobs

18%blue collar Jobs

ECOnOmIC OvERvIEWPueblo 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 PROFILE

“We offer

residential and

commercial disposal service,

as well as roll-offs,

port-o-lets and

recycling services.”

(719) 647-9100 www.ccdisposalco.com

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Sports & Recreation

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there’s plenty to do in pueblo, no matter what you’re in the mood for. Those who prefer to spend their downtime in or around water can visit the scenic Lake Pueblo State Park, or take a trip down Pueblo’s Whitewater Park. The historic Arkansas Riverwalk, Pueblo zoo and the nature & Raptor Center of Pueblo offer plenty of sights to behold. And for some family fun, the national Little Britches finals Rodeo never fails to entertain.

lake pueblO and Other Water recreatiOn

Lake Pueblo State Park, the most visited state

park in Colorado, is an aquatic hot spot, with more

than 60 miles of shoreline and 4,500 acres of

surface water. The lake is ideal for water sports of

all kinds, including jet skiing, tubing, wake boarding,

boating and parasailing. north Shore marina offers

608 boat slips, the Water Street Cafe and a Ship’s

Store that sells snacks, toys, sports equipment,

boating parts and water rafts. South Shore marina

offers 400 boat slips, a covered patio area with

propane barbecue grills and a general store for

groceries, snacks and boating equipment. River

surfers are a new crop of water enthusiasts making

waves in the area. Thanks to Pueblo’s Whitewater

Park, the area is quickly becoming Colorado’s main

surfing destination. The venue provides great waves

and eddies in one central location.

histOric arkansas riverWalkThe historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo is another

popular attraction in Colorado, although it offers much

more than mere waterworks. The 32-acre downtown

Riverwalk includes a scenic walkway, outdoor amphi-

theater, nature center, small shops, cafes, artworks

and the just recently opened Veterans Bridge. Residents

commonly visit the Riverwalk to exercise on its various

pathways. Pontoon boat rides are the most favored

activity of tourists. The Riverwalk is always abuzz with

community involvement. There is outdoor enter-

tainment every friday and Saturday night from may

to September. An outdoor farmers market also provides

food and entertainment throughout the summer.

pueblO zOO and the nature & raptOr center OF pueblO

The Pueblo zoo, located in City Park, treats

guests to a scenic stroll through the habitats of more

than 420 animals of 140 species. 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 in Rock Canyon,

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, allowing guests to

observe, explore and enjoy nature.

natiOnal little britches rOdeO assOciatiOn

family, fellowship and fair play form the creed

of the national Little Britches Rodeo Association.

nLBRA participants range in age from 5 to 18, allowing

entire families to travel and experience the rodeo

rush together. The annual national finals Rodeo is

held at Pueblo’s Colorado Sate fairgrounds, where

about 900 contestants compete to receive more

than $60,000 total in scholarship prizes. nLBRA is

not only a source of entertainment in Pueblo, but is

also an important tool for community enrichment.

– Julianna Edmonds

aquatic thrills to natural marvelspueblo oFFeRs An AssoRtment oF RecReAtionAl options

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health & Wellness

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meeting the health-care needs of the Pueblo community, two medical centers and one emergency care facility provide quality health care to the area.

parkvieW medical center

founded in 1923, 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.

Parkview medical Center offers

350 general acute-care 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. The

medical center also provides

cardiac, women’s, emergency

and neurological services, with

behavioral health programs also

available. nutritional services,

including diet instruction,

education, planning and analysis

are offered to patients and visitors

alike. Spiritual care is also

provided, assisting families with

end-of-life issues, sacraments

and offering counseling plus

other services.

parkvieW- pueblO West

Parkview-Pueblo West is a

stand-alone emergency

department open 24 hours a day,

seven days a week. Patients can

expect to receive the same level

of care they enjoy at Parkview

medical Center, with board-

certified emergency care

physicians and nurses who

specialize in emergency care

on staff. Patients will also have

access to the same resources

that are available in the medical

center’s emergency department,

including laboratory services,

radiology and CT scan, and

respiratory therapy. The

18,000-square-foot facility, built

on a 35-acre parcel, may expand

in the future as needed.

st. mary-cOrWin medical center

Converted from a two-story

boarding house into a hospital

in 1882, St. mary-Corwin 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. St. mary-Corwin

medical Center provides a flight

for Life helicopter base, a

comprehensive cancer center,

a stroke center and a variety

of other resources. The facility

recently underwent a $59 million

expansion, creating a new

emergency department, an

innovative intensive care unit,

enhanced diagnostic services

and 112 private patient rooms.

– Jessica Walker

health care Options growingmedicAl And emeRgency cARe centeRs seRve pueblo

parkview medical center

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Arts & Culture

Rosemount museum

An

To

ny

Bo

Sh

ieR

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rich in arts, culture and history, Pueblo offers a variety of museums, festivals, events, performing arts centers, historic sites and more.

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, multi-media 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.

The Steelworks museum offers

a variety of exhibits related to

the Colorado fuel and iron Corp.

museum guests can enjoy artifacts,

photos, activities and educational

programs.

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.

pueblO Festivals and events

The Pueblo 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.

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 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 national Street Rod

Association’s Rocky Street Rod

nationals, which is the region’s

largest street rod automotive

event, is held at the Colorado

State fairgrounds each year.

perFOrming artsThe non-profit organization

Pueblo Performing Arts Guild

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 pro-

vides 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.

histOric arkansas river prOject

The historic Arkansas River

Project serves as a heritage

tourism destination. The area,

located in the heart of downtown

Pueblo, includes sculptures,

statutes, ceramic murals, and

stone and bronze fountains.

bishOp castleWhile 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 named for Jim Bishop, the

builder of the structure.

– Jessica Walker

getting culturedpueblo oFFeRs A vARiety oF cultuRAl Activities And expeRiences to Residents And visitoRs Alike

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Local flavor

a slopper is a slopper, right? not according to 23 restaurants that are members of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. Rod Slyhoff, president of the Pueblo chamber, says all 23 restaurants have a different version of the slopper, and for one main reason. “it’s the green chili,” Slyhoff says. “everyone’s green chili recipe is different in their taste and the way they make their chili. Almost all of the recipes are handed down from generation to generation and perfected along the way, and highly guarded. And all 23 restaurants are independently owned and operated – there are no chain restaurants. That’s why there are so many different and unique recipes.”

thin Or thick chiliA slopper is a hamburger patty weighing one quarter to three quarters

of a pound, with a bun on the bottom, and usually served open faced in

a bowl. it is then covered with red or green chili, although most people

in Pueblo prefer green. The slopper can also have cheese and onions

and other various toppings, but it’s the green chili that gives it the

distinct flavor.

“The chili can also range from being really thin to really thick,” Slyhoff

says. “Some restaurants use potatoes to thicken it, while others use a

roux of corn starch and milk to thicken it, and a couple places even use

refried beans.”

in addition, the green chili can be served mild, medium or hot.

“for example, if i have a slopper at Jorge’s Sombrero or at Papa Jose’s

union Cafe, i ask for half medium and half hot chili,” he says. “it’s just a

perfect mixture for me.”

serves him rightchAmbeR pResident dishes on sloppeRs

do you agree?According to the Travel Channel’s show Food Wars, Sunset Inn serves the best slopper in Pueblo. See what you think by trying all the varieties of sloppers the city has to offer. Contact the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce for a list of all Pueblo restaurants that proudly serve this sloppy specialty. (719) 542-1704 or (800) 233-3446 www.pueblochamber.org

sunset inn’s version of a slopper

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44 imAgespueblo.com pueblo 45

What’s Online Get a load of these sloppers! See varieties of the local delicacy up close in a video hosted by Rod Slyhoff, chamber president, at imagespueblo.com.

slOppers With persOnality

The 23 restaurants also have

distinct names for their respective

sloppers.

“Romero’s Café serves a Green

Giant Slopper, and mad hatter Bar

& Grille sells a mad Slopper,” he

says. “There are some pretty

funny names, too, such as the

Sloppy Cocker at Cock & Bull

Tavern, and the Thunder humper

at Gold dust Saloon.”

Future slOpper daysSlyhoff adds that the chamber

plays up the slopper whenever

it can.

“The chamber is planning

to organize a Slopper days

Celebration that will tentatively

begin in 2011 and will become an

annual event,” he says. “And for

now, residents or visitors to

Pueblo can go online at our

www.pueblochamber.org website

or visit our chamber office on

north Santa fe Avenue to get

a brochure of all the restaurants

that serve the slopper. That way,

a person could try different

sloppers all over the city. By

the way, i’m working on having

a slopper at all 23 locations. So

far, they’re all excellent.”

– Kevin Litwin

papa Jose’s union cafe

mad hatter bar & grille

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education

pueblO schOOl district 70As the largest geographical school district in Colorado, Pueblo School

district 70 educates more than 8,000 students from Pueblo County.

The district includes four high schools, six middle schools and 12

elementary schools, as well as two charter schools, an alternative

middle school, an alternative high school and seven preschools.

Schools in this district work to integrate technology into class

instruction in order to enhance each student’s educational experience.

pueblO city schOOlsmore 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.

Pueblo City Schools’ high school students follow block schedules,

in which the students attend fewer classes each day for longer periods

of time.

learning in pueblostudents enJoy educAtionAl oppoRtunities in theiR community

learn morepueblo school district 70 www.district70.org

pueblo city schools www.pueblo60.k12.co.us

colorado state university-pueblo www.colostate-pueblo.edu

pueblo community college www.pueblocc.edu

Je

ff

Ad

kin

S

pueblo is rich with educational opportunities, boasting two exceptional public school districts as well as two first-rate higher education institutions.

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new Ways to SucceedCHaRtER SCHOOLS OFFER EduCatIOnaL aLtERnatIvES

the public and private

schools in Pueblo are

second to none in terms of

achievement. There’s also a

third network operating within

and alongside them; charter

schools that are giving students

another option for a first-class

educational experience.

The Cesar Chavez network,

which includes dolores huerta

Preparatory high School and

Cesar Chavez Academy Public

Charter School, as well as The

Connect Charter School in

district 70, are all examples of

how public-private partnerships

thrive here.

The Chavez Academy has

received the James irwin Award

and the el Pomar foundation’s

award for excellence in education,

and provides full educational

services for grades k-8. it also

has an after-school program,

cultural and community studies,

extended day and extended

year learning, tutoring for all

students and extracurricular

activities ranging from track

and field to choir and mariachi.

dolores huerta Preparatory

high is a tuition-free public

charter school that also boasts

multiple awards and

achievements, and is justifiably

well known for its successful

early-college program, as well

as participate in and even

complete certification programs.

for the middle grades, The

Connect Charter School in

district 70 consistently makes

multiple “best of” lists. it has a

string of John irwin awards, as

well as being named a Colorado

sustaining school several times.

– Joe MorrisSTA

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Ph

oT

o

46 imAgespueblo.com pueblo 47

cOlOradO state university-pueblO

With approximately 5,000

students enrolled, Colorado State

university-Pueblo sits on more

than 275 acres in the northeastern

portion of the city of Pueblo.

Students enjoy a small

professor-to-student ratio, with an

average of 25 individuals in each

class, and 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. more than 70 clubs and

organizations are available to

students as well.

on the athletic field, with 16

varsity intercollegiate sports, the

university competes at the nCAA

division ii level and is a member

of the Rocky mountain Athletic

Conference.

pueblO cOmmunity cOllege

Pueblo Community College is

a two-year community college

that offers associate’s degrees,

certificates in a variety of

programs, and is a state leader

in health-care education.

Students can study Arts &

Sciences, Business & Technology

and health Professions, with 60

completed semester hours required

to obtain an associate’s degree

and a minimum of two courses

necessary to earn a certificate.

in addition to its main campus,

Pueblo Community College has

campus’ located in Canon City,

durango and Cortez Colorado.

– Jessica Walker

colorado state university

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48 imAgespueblo.com

CLImatE OvERvIEW

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.

january Low temperature 14 f

january High temperature 48 f

july Low temperature 52 f

july High temperature 91 f

tImE zOnE

mountainSIzE In SquaRE mILES

2,398pueblo county

numbERS tO knOW

division of motor vehicles (719) 543-5164

(719) 543-5165

Recyling environmental health

(719) 583-4323

voter Registration Colorado dept. of Revenue

(719) 543-5164

HOuSEHOLd InFORmatIOn

total Population, 104,175

males, 49,652

females, 54,523

Age less than 25

35,105

Age 25-34, 14,586

Age 35-44, 12,222

Age 45-54, 13,422

Age 55-64, 11,134

Age 65-74, 7,800

Age greater than 75

9,906

White, 82,707

Black, 1,471

hispanic, 48,711

other, 14,523

COSt OF LIvIng

$37,246median household income

$94,500median home sale price

$668estimated gross Rent for a two-bedroom Apartment

COmmunIty OvERvIEWThe 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.

COmmunIty PROFILE

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