Pueblo West leaders lay out 14 strategic priorities, place water rights and finance of fire services at top
Summary
Staff presented a draft 2025 strategic plan skeleton with 14 desired end states ranked by the board; top priorities were securing water rights and the permanence of fire-department funding. Staff sought board input on Desert Hawk, water storage, and covenant enforcement.
The board reviewed a draft strategic-plan framework staff presented as a priority-setting exercise for the district through 2030. The staff memo grouped 14 desired end states under three principles — fiscally responsible, community focused and inclusive — and asked the board to prioritize and provide feedback.
Christian J. Heine, the district manager, said the items were ranked after a board retreat and stakeholder conversations. The top three ranked priorities were: (1) water rights, (2) permanence of fire-department funding, and (3) Desert Hawk Golf Course (direction and future of the IGA and operations). Other priorities included master planning for operations, resolving administration‑building needs, diversifying revenue, enhancing public trust, and an aquatic center (ranked lower than water rights and storage).
Heine and board members identified three topics that require additional study and likely separate work sessions: Desert Hawk (the golf course and its intergovernmental agreement with Pueblo County), water storage (how storage options relate to water-right strategy), and covenant enforcement (whether enforcement should be centralized or remain at the tract level).
Directors asked staff to prepare education and background materials in advance of deeper discussions. Board members suggested a joint forum with Pueblo County and the county’s legal staff to review Desert Hawk history and the IGA’s legal obligations before any changes are proposed. Staff proposed follow-up work and encouraged use of key performance indicators tied to each strategic objective.
Why it matters The ranked priorities will shape the district’s 2025 budget and capital plan. Placing water-rights acquisition and fire‑funding permanence at the top signals where staff will focus grant, legislative and financing efforts in the coming year.
Next steps Staff will circulate a revised draft, develop measurable objectives and KPIs for each priority, and organize educational sessions or a joint meeting with Pueblo County on Desert Hawk. The board asked staff to prepare timelines and resource estimates as part of the next plan iteration.
