End of the road: Pueblo West to turn street maintenance back over to Pueblo County

Nov. 23—After years of being harangued by residents about the condition of the roads in Pueblo West compounded by failed ballot initiatives seeking approval of sales tax funds to fix them, the Pueblo West Metro Board voted Nov. 22 to allow Pueblo County to take over all the roads in the district.

Three of the five board members present at the board meeting agreed to a resolution terminating the road-related Intergovernmental Agreement that has been in effect for nearly 20 years. The agreement has ensured the district has received funding from the county for roads, but it has fallen short of what's needed.

"We've been stifled and stymied," said Pueblo West Metro Board President Doug Proal. "The IGA worked in the beginning because we had but 3,500 people living out here and now the road maintenance issue in Pueblo West has become overwhelming."

The termination is not immediate. It will take five years before it goes into full effect.

"We will work together to ensure the successful navigation through this process in the best interest of our shared community and in the mutual satisfaction of both government organizations," stated a termination letter signed by Proal.

"Pueblo West's success is the county's success," said Garrison Ortiz, Pueblo County Commission chair. "After taking a deep look at the financial sustainability study that the metro district has procured, we have a good understanding that taking the maintenance of the roads back is a piece in helping them assure they are financially sustainable for years to come."

The district has 400 miles of roadway, 57 miles of which have not been accepted by Pueblo County as being up to standards, as well as 22 miles of road that have been mapped but are unconstructed.

During a Pueblo County Board of Commissioners and Pueblo West Metro District Board joint meeting on Nov. 19, "The county decided it would be best and they would be more than happy to take back the roads from Pueblo West to do the maintenance," said Harley Gifford, Pueblo West Metro District attorney.

"This isn't a demand letter but just a step in the process of the county taking the roads back," Gifford said.

"We understand this is a major endeavor but ultimately it is in the best interest of our citizens — county residents— to do so. Certainly, there are many details to be sorted out, but this is the beginning of a lengthy transition process," Ortiz said.

"I just think it is remarkable that they are the ones who came up with this plan and offered right upfront to take over the roads and road maintenance," Proal said. "I think that's really going to be great for this community and it is really going to help us."

Current census figures estimate Pueblo West's population at more than 33,000 and the community has experienced explosive growth the past two years.

"I want to thank the board of county commissioners for stepping in and taking this over," Proal said.

Board Member Jami Baker-Orr also shared her thanks to the Pueblo County Commissioners.

"I know for our citizens that roads have been their main complaint that I have heard quite often," Baker-Orr said. "They (county commissioners) have been amazing and cooperative and understand the growth is at an extreme high right now."

Ortiz said the county is "doing absolutely everything we can to position Pueblo to see funds from the federal infrastructure bill coming down. We are staying in contact with our local delegation and federal representatives' offices."

The board also approved its $63.4 million 2022 budget which reflects an 18% increase in property tax revenue from $5.7 million in 2021 to $6.7 million in 2022.

"As you can see the property taxes will be significantly higher because of the higher valuation by the assessor, however, our mill levy will remain the same as it has for at least the last 20 years at 20.193 mills," said Roni Kimbrel, finance director for Pueblo West.

Because the district is limited by state statute to a 5.5% increase, about $700,000 of those extra property tax revenues will be transferred to the aquatic center fund. Voters approved a 2016 ballot issue agreeing to allow the district to keep excess revenues from 2017 to 2027 for the construction of a new pool.

With those 2022 property tax funds added to funds already collected from the voter-approved excess revenue timeout, 30% of marijuana excise tax funds collected since 2019 and conservation trust fund dollars, the aquatic center budget will be about $2.7 million.

The board also agreed to sign two letters of support for both Comcast, which offers the Xfinity line of products, and the Colorado City-based RTC Broadband in their quests to expand high-speed internet service in Pueblo West.

"The state of Colorado Broadband Deployment Board is offering funding for underserved communities," said Tyler Purvis, Pueblo West economic development director. "Both Comcast and RTC have expressed a desire to improve broadband service in Pueblo West and requested letters of support for grant applications."

The letters will help "strengthen the applications" for both companies as they seek to obtain grant funding through the state which will help pay for the internet expansion, Purvis said.

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.