[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6147380,"mediaKeyId","5521179-558fb2225fb05c94b613780b99e617d2","parentId",5521179,"title","Commissioner says Avondale moves into phase 3 of ARPA‑funded water treatment work, plans public information video","audioSeconds",90,"startMs",949000,"endMs",1039000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521179-558fb2225fb05c94b613780b99e617d2&start=949&end=1039","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521179-558fb2225fb05c94b613780b99e617d2/thumbnail_949000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6147380/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Commissioner-says-Avondale-moves-into-phase-3-of-ARPAfunded-water-treatment-work-plans-public-information-video","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147380-d8140def056ca389a220418ac1898bea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651150&Signature=aEcDjKyLvpdPrza7~6nHy7xgPX02ix2nfZywHrcS-4QyljmBAQHZiiIvwU-p9ilvnYM~sHYUKMTADhHmjawA5YajOg9sVy0KOPE0GQfl4asLzz18AFznLNqWRVuJLAtFpCtTMSwy2M0zRR8BtF-sSr03OOkMfRkXrlz~sP1sK2vBU~MUUGzX7WNfRRosxTvdv9xVjx-gmdxn0cZGyuCJ~tVvw4aRjvTTTuqDUeLuh-tUTKUjSvr~sL9ld-aQfdbILVu2Mr1AWCVc6REVhLlYR~aZ8laMe0cwefnyjAiIgV43g2IDu3lvuFpN~AUclY0KrvZ2t2O7gX~gx4QA7l7Ivg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pueblo County","date","2025-07-31T00:00:00Z","article","A Pueblo County commissioner reported Thursday that Avondale has begun what he described as phase 3 of a multi‑year water treatment project funded with American Rescue Plan Act money and said county staff will help produce an informational video for the community.

Commissioner Swearingen told the Board of County Commissioners he visited Avondale on Wednesday and observed the kickoff of phase 3 of the larger water treatment project, which has been underway for several years and was financed in part with ARPA funds. \"So learned a lot about, kind of their their water treatment system, the history of it, and really excited to see that that community get the attention they need out there,\" Swearingen said. He added he plans to go back with \"mister Mestas\" and subject‑matter experts to create an informational video explaining the project.

Why it matters: improvements to local water treatment infrastructure can affect public health, service reliability and long‑term operational costs for small communities. The commissioner framed the update as a positive sign that ARPA funds are advancing capital projects in Avondale.

Details and limitations: the commissioner did not provide a dollar amount for the ARPA allocation, a project schedule, the specific work to be completed in phase 3, nor any formal county action or vote to advance the project during the meeting. No county staff representative provided technical details in the transcript, and no follow‑up assignment or reporting schedule was recorded on the public record.

Next steps: Commissioner Swearingen said he intends to coordinate an informational video with county staff and experts; the transcript does not record a staff directive, budget authorization, or timeline for the video or the water‑system work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pueblo County BOCC Meeting 7/31/25","oneSentenceSummary","A commissioner reported on a site visit to Avondale's phase 3 water treatment project — funded with ARPA money — and said he will work with staff to produce an informational video about the project.","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},6147384,"Resident asks commissioners to enact ordinance to stop trucks on 36 Lane, cites school safety and legacy of Velma Harbor Rinks",206,69000,275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521179-558fb2225fb05c94b613780b99e617d2&start=69&end=275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521179-558fb2225fb05c94b613780b99e617d2/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6147384/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Resident-asks-commissioners-to-enact-ordinance-to-stop-trucks-on-36-Lane-cites-school-safety-and-legacy-of-Velma-Harbor-Rinks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147384-8112ad3f055405d746604b5fc6255b5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651150&Signature=NQUBxP3Lolb6yMyTr1pBE~2gVI-agCYM-6v0hzo-2CKWoEMRkkPNOk5hF6LMbnrcdVRecChoOyoDQiRNHUnq1yd6Zvg5ELMiqnInohQPZzdW4olxDIIeIdRtbneYDIulCua0EedzXKHiiBBE0FpLApQiHv~sZSG3i1l3L1sKclP0yl5el5v6ID0nqt2J~svpjwVYF836HjN9bpas1e2UHM0wAlihun2MdYTA~X6XZBEykcLJ428jEK7IpDJ3c5bkwdoSbj7FKBoz8A3BJNJblJJnMsMpTsfrydgb18USfofoJjLXhPAA~6sH1uWAeW4RUf-y48l~G9Xb2i9Rf-2hwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Pueblo County resident urged commissioners on Thursday to adopt an ordinance to limit truck traffic on 36 Lane near Vineland, saying the restriction would protect schoolchildren and honor the legacy of longtime community advocate Velma Harbor Rinks.

\"Her desire was to save this children's lives in Vineland, to do something about the hauling on that road and to make sure that our school kids were safe in the area,\" the resident said during the public‑comment period. The speaker, identified in the meeting as Wendy Kern, said Rinks dedicated more than 40 years to rehabilitation counseling in Colorado, led local nonprofit efforts in Pueblo, and ran the Wharfonneau Ranch Land and Cattle Company in South Avondale with her husband, Mike.

Kern recounted joining Rinks two decades ago to oppose a gravel pit and later opposing a second gravel pit, saying the family has deep roots in the area and that they had converted Wharfonneau Lake on Fields Road into a wildlife sanctuary. Kern said Rinks and her family asked the county previously to place signs to restrict or redirect truck traffic: \"They wanted to put up a sign to stop the trucks, and alls it takes is an ordinance from you and her family would still like to pay for those signs today.\" Kern also noted the timing: \"School starts here in another month, and we still need to look at the safety of our children.\"

Why it matters: Kern framed the request as a public‑safety measure for children who travel near hauling routes tied to local gravel pit operations. She also positioned the request as a way to honor Rinks' decades of community service and longstanding local stewardship.

What the board said: Commissioners expressed condolences for the loss of Rinks and appreciated Kern's remarks. Commissioner Lucero specifically thanked Kern for coming in and for highlighting Rinks' history in the county. The meeting transcript does not contain any motion, staff directive, or formal action in response to the request, and no timeline or follow‑up assignment was recorded.

Details and limitations: Kern said the family offered to pay for signage, but the transcript does not record any discussion of the county's authority to restrict truck routes on 36 Lane, whether state transportation permits or Colorado Department of Transportation processes are required, or whether any staff study would be initiated. Those points were not raised on the record during the meeting. Kern also referenced documents she provided to the commissioners, including an interview and historical background.","A local resident asked the Board of County Commissioners to adopt an ordinance restricting truck traffic on 36 Lane to protect children near Vineland schools and to honor longtime community member Velma Harbor Rinks.",{"_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},6147387,"County commissioners approve letter of support for public‑health training and two scholarship awards",55,885000,940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521179-558fb2225fb05c94b613780b99e617d2&start=885&end=940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521179-558fb2225fb05c94b613780b99e617d2/thumbnail_885000.jpg","/articles/6147387/Pueblo-County/Colorado/County-commissioners-approve-letter-of-support-for-publichealth-training-and-two-scholarship-awards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147387-cd0dfa237fc09fe3cc1d96175ef8544a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651150&Signature=cvGwX~nNJiMyP2uiod90C65aqXP5KdgK-yH0jf3cbvwJCLsgYlW5HP3san6B9xyhavcXu7FhRNlvj8OVWfJ3rZND8yTPAdyaoMvvZkhXbH0PcXyr7sdMh-0NwOkAQQ9vKWzpWq8cho6C1M-1O9hd5fFa~pSzFKaeSSwI9fJeUWu0a-JyiYsEl1KSbzZRT0-5eIHG64yfb8m6PpNhu26pgrBZNvciHe09YRphH6jHmxXkzpiX7jU83CrS8PDB6nWVN7Za7ecdAZK6N9ThANjul90MsZsgWVYCvDPlz6doUOIExYGRBFX1EeZgvZMG6gTbSgHQnginARh5zfxbtVqblQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pueblo County commissioners on Thursday approved consent‑agenda items that included a resolution supporting a public‑health training proposal and two funding assistance agreements to disburse marijuana excise tax scholarship dollars.

The items were listed by County Attorney Cynthia Mitchell during the consent portion of the July 31 Board of County Commissioners meeting and approved by motion of Commissioner Swearingen. \"The first item on our consent agenda, 3 a is resolution authorizing a letter of support for the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment Southeast Region 19 proposal for Nexelon Education and Training in Pueblo County,\" Mitchell said during the meeting. She also described agenda item 3 b as \"a resolution approving 2 funding assistance agreements for disbursement of marijuana excise tax scholarship funds for the 25 fall and 26 spring semesters. And these are awards to the Pueblo African American Concern Association organization, excuse me, in the amount of $18,000 and the Colorado State Fair Fiesta Committee in the amount of $15,000.\"

The board voted to approve the consent agenda without further discussion. Commissioner Swearingen moved the motion; the vote was recorded as in favor and the chair announced the motion passed. No separate public hearing or additional debate was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: the letter of support is intended to back a Southeast Region 19 public‑health training proposal led by the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment; the scholarship agreements allocate locally collected marijuana excise tax revenue to two community organizations for student scholarships in upcoming academic terms.

Background and details: the transcript identifies the two scholarship awards by recipient and amount: $18,000 to the Pueblo African American Concern Association and $15,000 to the Colorado State Fair Fiesta Committee. The transcript does not state the total pool of available scholarship funds, the application criteria, or the legal citation governing the disbursement; those details were not provided in the meeting record. The board did not request further information during the vote, and no implementation dates or reporting requirements were stated during the meeting.

Next steps: because the items were approved on the consent agenda, county staff will administratively execute the letter of support and funding assistance agreements. The transcript does not record timelines for disbursement, reporting responsibilities, or whether the award recipients must meet additional conditions before receiving funds.","At its July 31 meeting the Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners approved a consent‑agenda resolution to support a public‑health training proposal and authorized two funding agreements awarding marijuana excise tax scholarship funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioner says Avondale moves into phase 3 of ARPA‑funded water treatment work, plans public information video

Resident asks commissioners to enact ordinance to stop trucks on 36 Lane, cites school safety and legacy of Velma Harbor Rinks

County commissioners approve letter of support for public‑health training and two scholarship awards