[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6055016,"mediaKeyId","3322608-4ef14005e547aecdc4e9f50bd1400fd2","parentId",3322608,"title","Pueblo County commissioners tentatively approve small event grants, ask for spending details","audioSeconds",964,"startMs",32000,"endMs",996000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3322608-4ef14005e547aecdc4e9f50bd1400fd2&start=32&end=996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3322608-4ef14005e547aecdc4e9f50bd1400fd2/thumbnail_32000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6055016/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Pueblo-County-commissioners-tentatively-approve-small-event-grants-ask-for-spending-details","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055016-126a0bf30e17ae81a79a5e0744ff69b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989742&Signature=VDJp7SRtw24k9AlwxN9aNXQVLoVemEvc1yMga1qmlIISM491JI-J3IGIGq~1A922L160op2uYwYNH0UjnrXPu79T4HT4pLlk~hjoPfs4mg9WHkmRs6XeeSQ-fhTFC8LX57duPnZyvthHSm1quEQr4ZScm8kzScH0S-hYcJq1ZzMaCxi8r7OUO0wd7uBIY-wdXCBRFrYeowKO1lbXL2~NAgvru75oRh6GejBM8qstqDeyWhgj2XXA-Kl9Lzi-A5dWlXFAFVyoEJz~Z-6ufglWe1Ll3~99EvVGXbkFqoL9zTkyEc7BSai4bCeXdy5CRQ7BQVIzYVcsFaHaFl75t2FUhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pueblo County ","date","2025-05-15T00:00:00Z","article","Pueblo County commissioners on May 15 discussed five community funding requests for local events and fundraisers, tentatively agreeing to repeat or modestly increase past contributions while asking staff to confirm how the money would be spent.

The requests, presented by a county staff member, Tommy Farrell, included asks for Pueblo Has Talent ($500), the D60 Education Foundation ($1,000), Pueblo Community Health Center Foundation ($1,500), the Pueblo County Memorial Association golf tournament ($6,000 requested, $500 recommended), and the Pueblo Chili Balloon Festival ($5,000 requested; commissioners discussed a $2,500 baseline). Farrell said the county had authorized $500 for some of these groups in prior years.

Commissioners said they supported backing community fundraisers but repeatedly asked for clearer spending plans and conditions. Several commissioners said they would be more comfortable if awards were restricted to event costs — rental, promotion or scholarship funds — rather than payoff of prize money or permanent memorials. \"I would rather see the money go towards putting on the event,\" one commissioner said during the discussion; others proposed adding language in the notice of award requiring recipients to document use of funds.

The Chili Balloon Festival drew the most discussion because it requested $5,000 for a September event that organizers estimate will draw 5,000–9,000 attendees and because the county’s prior contribution was $3,500. Commissioners discussed sponsorship tiers (a $2,500 sponsorship tier was described as a clear baseline) and agreed to commit at least $2,500 now with the option to revisit the amount later if county funds remain available for additional support.

On scholarships and fundraising events that also support memorials, commissioners said they preferred any county contribution be designated as scholarship funding rather than for statues or general operating costs. For the D60 Education Foundation event (a fundraiser tied to teacher grants) and the memorial association tournament, the board asked staff to seek confirmation that county dollars would be allocated directly to scholarships where applicable.

No formal votes were recorded during the work session. Instead, commissioners directed staff to follow up with applicants, add conditions to awards where appropriate, and bring recommended letters of award or revised requests back for a formal decision at the regular meeting on Tuesday.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pueblo County BOCC Work Session 5/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","Pueblo County commissioners on May 15 discussed five community funding requests for local events and fundraisers, tentatively agreeing to repeat or modestly increase past contributions while asking staff to confirm how the money would be spent.","taxTitle","Pueblo County, Colorado","taxId",4963,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6055002,"Commissioners debate expanding marijuana‑excise scholarships to longer‑term residents and trade programs",575,4681000,5256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3322608-4ef14005e547aecdc4e9f50bd1400fd2&start=4681&end=5256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3322608-4ef14005e547aecdc4e9f50bd1400fd2/thumbnail_4681000.jpg","/articles/6055002/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Commissioners-debate-expanding-marijuanaexcise-scholarships-to-longerterm-residents-and-trade-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055002-cc3e18c5716fc54319ebdea047ae07b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989742&Signature=XyiKl2qxvRZkBeQ0A8mKLlE6YeLb38GE8h~1dde1ZDMYPS4Gq6UQPI2rt6olwybSfDbgOrHkblj43KySY8yZet9vNV8TpipEvcyRIJyARyj9X4cgjPfEeGWKDrYU3YPMWv4enGO~Ufc~vwOw3tr~pmLb32c5w3vIRsLPkkDc0Xxtv8ALdAVhRwGQxJnwELabia4xVSV1YXfdDiF5WWXAtVhVa6-p~q1s0UE3LjM2YzzJAtaQPj6kNH0A-SwHGsGRlKQ-UG2e95pdm574HujPYJUX5C~rdGLrV-7FEC7Cus44rjtFWsGLN~yeIH4LC3u37A9jR8aemRnuOarfmqiDNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pueblo County commissioners on May 15 debated expanding eligibility for scholarships funded by the county’s marijuana excise tax to include longer‑term residents and students attending local trade and technical schools.

County Attorney Cynthia Mitchell reviewed the existing policy history: the excise tax passed in 2015 with ballot language limiting scholarships at first to Pueblo County high‑school students attending Pueblo County colleges and universities; in 2019 the board expanded eligibility to allow Pueblo County high‑school graduates to use scholarships at any U.S. institution. Mitchell said a new request seeks to allow long‑term county residents access to the funds and recommended mirroring the state in‑state tuition residency standard of 12 months as a baseline for residency; local partners suggested a longer period.

Commissioners debated whether a 12‑month residency standard — the time commonly used to establish in‑state tuition — was sufficient to demonstrate local commitment. One commissioner called 12 months \"pretty short\" and argued for a longer requirement; another suggested 24 months would demonstrate stronger ties to the community. The county manager and staff framed the policy question as balancing access for nontraditional residents (people who moved to Pueblo for work, marriage or after military service) with the original intent of prioritizing local students.

Presenters and some commissioners also discussed which educational programs would qualify. A proposal in the draft resolution would allow long‑term residents to access funds for attendance at CSU Pueblo or Pueblo Community College; representatives from local scholarship partners asked that eligibility also include Pueblo‑based trade schools and, in some cases, online programs that serve local students. Several commissioners said they favored including local trade and technical programs but were cautious about allowing unrestricted out‑of‑state online programs.

Commissioners also agreed to remove a requirement that scholarship recipients must begin attendance in the fall semester so that spring starts would be eligible. Staff was directed to incorporate the residency and program‑eligibility changes and return a revised resolution to the board for consideration on the upcoming Tuesday agenda.","Pueblo County commissioners on May 15 debated expanding eligibility for scholarships funded by the county’s marijuana excise tax to include longer‑term residents and students in local trade and technical programs, and asked staff to draft a revised resolution.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6055006,"County manager directs sharper focus for next round of House appropriations community project requests",466,3517000,3983000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3322608-4ef14005e547aecdc4e9f50bd1400fd2&start=3517&end=3983","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3322608-4ef14005e547aecdc4e9f50bd1400fd2/thumbnail_3517000.jpg","/articles/6055006/Pueblo-County/Colorado/County-manager-directs-sharper-focus-for-next-round-of-House-appropriations-community-project-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055006-05f9ae58577493b72c6c65cb4dc6fab7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989742&Signature=iHfKjNDPhu3zkqtmIos3R1cKh0rDxxbxfmBrSv3uU0o-vPoX4GlCVUpK15wwgiQ4Jt7xMNmx2TEmT1VKtpJoVkdjSk34zmGVicf66DWUgJ1M459~Z8QCIvyvoHvOYkINcuZIYxDBZtS-~MyraFN~Ja7ah6t6g-EcpJX4iYf4Oh1~cV-6ENm0hpPZzcdvMsDgFNdoheeJm1rKhw~7I04SSUtLqE5WMGU1I-7pJ7EYfNQ7DdU-~~i-D7DfoJcv6CVFLLEJmd0SeOOFzghPfaY9GeB3RAs8zZNS2n5zlfjlWEjIspR4JnA0VJmkiWFo4qVzavRPSIqgSRJz1fOquBDKUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 15 work session, Pueblo County staff recommended more targeted project descriptions for the county’s next round of House appropriations community project funding (CPF) requests and asked commissioners to prioritize water and road projects that fit subcommittee eligibility.

A county staff member leading the update said the subcommittee’s eligible categories include water and sewer infrastructure, local road infrastructure, multipurpose community centers and county buildings that are not strictly administrative. The manager’s office recommended focusing water‑infrastructure requests on specific Colorado City and Greenhorn Valley drinking‑water projects and identifying precise local road segments that suffer repeated stormwater and pothole damage.

Staff suggested adding the Mesa Recreation Center project to a community‑center funding request and proposed a separate request for the Colorado City Road and Bridge building, which staff described as in \"dire shape\" and in need of repairs including a new roof and structural fixes. Commissioners agreed with the strategy of being more specific because federal reviewers have limited detail in initial submissions and specificity may improve a project’s chances in the review process.

Commissioners also asked staff to include Beulah (spelled \"Bula\" in one form in meeting materials) in community‑center considerations and urged that stormwater needs in Pueblo West receive greater attention while acknowledging the requested funding likely would be part of a multi‑partner effort. Staff said the Colorado City drinking‑water project already has garnered attention and would be included in the targeted applications.

Staff will revise applications and submit them before the CPF round deadline; commissioners voiced general support for the prioritized list but did not take a formal vote during the work session.","Pueblo County staff told commissioners to submit more specific requests to the House appropriations subcommittee on transportation, HUD and related agencies, prioritizing water and sewer projects (Colorado City), local road infrastructure, a community center/Mesa Rec completion and Colorado City road and bridge facility repairs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6055011,"CSU Pueblo outlines mixed‑use master plan, seeks local tax‑increment support for infrastructure",2357,1091000,3448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3322608-4ef14005e547aecdc4e9f50bd1400fd2&start=1091&end=3448","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3322608-4ef14005e547aecdc4e9f50bd1400fd2/thumbnail_1091000.jpg","/articles/6055011/Pueblo-County/Colorado/CSU-Pueblo-outlines-mixeduse-master-plan-seeks-local-taxincrement-support-for-infrastructure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055011-6db412543708c2c289d5b8712806a689/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989742&Signature=QDiOyV0lfZpAH9M6nXGPzfeKJk~2nk8Ws7HL-807iVTWtUSl0tTrEqPoYFh7n1N7rWd2LjQNMDsaFkwbQ338W8dzAymeZLJ1G46gzvpdO40mPATmUvAX5-QgBxVwUz3ZR4j~QqvAAyV7xAqxo7HsS6ICs4WB3jkFfIFDRjwBY4HbQxxudjEVJs03j8Q2yCTB2SRthvoNd-K6iCbo6Yo4~2dWBXW1zmGk2nRErwIcUsvBfD3IPq-EcY-~xDrDtuIugn-W~0qRreXJqBC6W7l6TVuITBOmtTVya4T2AAoQJMbsg~KmjmZg~qROWlrkplEzkFK4QmO9YT-~38JHpKPQNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CSU Pueblo on May 15 asked Pueblo County officials to support a public‑private master development that would add retail, housing, a hotel, student apartments and new roads next to campus, and to consider sharing certain incremental tax revenues to finance horizontal infrastructure.

Garrison Ortiz, vice president of university operations and chief financial officer at CSU Pueblo, and Andy Arnold, principal of Pioneer Development Company, described a concept for development on more than 100 acres of university‑owned land that would be built in phases and financed through a combination of metropolitan districts, tax‑increment financing (TIF) from an urban renewal area and other public‑private tools. \"This would be the first P3 project on a university campus that has its own metropolitan districts and its own URA overlapping,\" Ortiz said.

Ortiz said the university would contribute land and $3.8 million toward an extension of Desert Flower Boulevard and planned to use roughly $4.0 million in TIF financing to level and extend utilities to make the property developable. The presentation included an estimate of about $8.6 million in 25‑year net present value from tax increment revenue used to support bonding for public infrastructure; staff characterized the public‑eligible horizontal infrastructure cost as about $7.8 million. Andy Arnold said the metropolitan districts would likely issue debt to fund public improvements and that bonds could also be privately placed or purchased by a master developer.

Commissioners and presenters emphasized that the financing stack requires multiple approvals from the city, the county and other taxing entities. Ortiz said the CSU Board of Governors had approved a resolution in February to begin engagement on district formation, and that the city is handling the metro‑district formation process with an expected special election and timeline that could conclude by November. The presenters said they would not issue bonds until a master developer was selected; Ortiz said the university planned to issue a request for qualifications and hoped to select a developer by August or September.

Commissioners pressed for detailed written materials and modeling; several asked the university to provide the feasibility analysis, metro‑district documents and the draft urban renewal impact report so county staff could evaluate impacts to local taxing entities. Ortiz and Arnold said they would share working documents, impact reports and bond runs and expected additional materials to be provided as the URA and metro‑district work advanced.

No formal county action was taken at the work session. Commissioners expressed broad support for the project concept but framed the request as contingent on further analysis and formal intergovernmental agreements before any local tax revenue commitments are made.","CSU Pueblo officials presented a master development plan for more than 100 acres adjacent to campus and asked for local support for a financing package that would use tax increment financing and multiple metropolitan districts to pay roughly $7.8–9 million in horizontal infrastructure costs over a 25‑year period.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pueblo County commissioners tentatively approve small event grants, ask for spending details

Commissioners debate expanding marijuana‑excise scholarships to longer‑term residents and trade programs

County manager directs sharper focus for next round of House appropriations community project requests

CSU Pueblo outlines mixed‑use master plan, seeks local tax‑increment support for infrastructure