Heather Graham seeks to usher in change as new mayor of Pueblo

The mood inside Brues Alehouse Tuesday evening was full of energy and enthusiasm. The crowd, many there to support Heather Graham's mayoral bid, seemed sure she would win the runoff election with aplomb to become Pueblo’s new leader, a change they had long desired.

Graham herself appeared unrattled, despite having waited 14 months for the moment. She was certain that Puebloans shared her belief that the city needed a new voice to tackle some of its most serious issues.

So when Graham returned to her watch party after learning the initial results, she did not hesitate. She excitedly told the crowd that she had won the election. Her words generated immediate jubilation from the dozens of supporters in attendance.

Those cheers reached an apex when Brian Mater, a friend of Graham’s who at times advised her during her campaign, read off the initial numbers: 14,171 votes for Graham, an amount that immediately rendered the race against incumbent Nick Gradisar conclusive.

At that point, she led the race with 63% of the vote. It dipped less than a percentage point once final unofficial results were released.

Mater then introduced his friend to the stage as Mayor-elect Heather Graham.

Graham, at the start of her speech, was quick to mention that she was set to become Pueblo’s youngest mayor and the latest female in Colorado to assume the role.

Graham admitted that she was never the “likeliest of candidates” to lead the mayor’s office because she had few political connections and no robust campaign strategy. But she acknowledged that her quick ascent to become Pueblo’s next leader began in 2020, when she spoke with other citizens about the city’s “struggles and hardships” and their “dreaming” to make the community better.

Graham, at the time, led protests against COVID-19 restrictions because her restaurants were operating at reduced capacity “while the mayor continued to go to work and continued to get paid,” she said at a mayoral debate earlier this month.

She was elected to city council a year later and was twice appointed its president. She launched her mayoral bid in November 2022, hoping to seize on the early support that ultimately culminated with her victory.

“Our vision for Pueblo is a city where all residents feel safe and supported,” Graham said. “As your next mayor, I’m committed to leading Pueblo towards a brighter future, working alongside all of you to create a safer, stronger city.”

Graham also said Tuesday that her number one priority as mayor is “making the community safe.”

"People really want to see some change"

Mater said he was not surprised to see Graham’s margin of victory. He had seen her conduct meticulous research to understand the city’s finances and police department staffing shortages. He witnessed Graham take it upon herself to spread word about her campaign, including some time Tuesday to individually send text messages to voters.

“I think people are really seeing she’s not doing it for herself,” Mater said. “She doesn’t have to do it. Business is good, life’s good, she’s got a great husband. But the support that she’s gotten is so tremendous.”

Unsurprised by that support is Pamela Graham, Heather’s mom. She said she feels voters gravitated toward her daughter’s “drive and motivation.”

Born and raised in Pueblo, the new mayor-elect worked various jobs as a teen and graduated from South High School. She later earned a psychology degree from Colorado State University Pueblo and at age 27, opened the first Graham’s Grill location in 2014.

Today, she owns both Graham’s Grill locations and Ruby’s on Broadway Avenue. Graham has balanced her need to run those businesses with her time on council and campaign for mayor. At times, she has spoken with Chieftain reporters while washing dishes at her restaurants.

“She’s never wanted so much as to change Pueblo,” Pamela Graham said. “She’s got a drive like I’ve never seen before. She’s just an incredible person. Of course, I’m her mom, but she’s really got a heart for this.”

Some of Pueblo’s other elected officials said they've seen Graham's passion and willingness to collaborate, including county commissioners Epimenio “Eppie” Griego and Zach Swearingen. Both of them endorsed Graham.

“I think it’s a good sign of people really wanting to see some change and the potential here fulfilled,” Swearingen said.

Graham’s win also drew a positive reaction from Doug Proal, vice president of the Pueblo West Metro Board. He said he feels the collaboration between the city of Pueblo and Pueblo West has waned in recent years, a development that concerned him because “Pueblo West is a part of the Pueblo region” and its residents contribute to the city’s sales tax.

Proal said that Graham “understands collaboration” and her business acumen is one reason why he believes she's the right fit for mayor.

“We’re all a community and region and I think that got lost,” Proal said. “I think that will now be rekindled with our new mayor and I look forward to working with the city of Pueblo, board of county commissioners and Pueblo region. I feel like we have a region again, not just continental Pueblo and Pueblo West.”

How Graham plans to approach her first 100 days in office

In part to address her top priority, Graham told the Chieftain she wants to address the police department’s officer shortage during her first three months in office. During that time, she also desires to implement an open-door policy in the mayor’s office so “citizens can come in and speak with me.”

Furthermore, she aims to work closely with city council to “get things done.” During her time on the dais, she at times expressed her belief that there is a lack of communication between the mayor’s office and councilors.

In a questionnaire asking what she would do on her first day as mayor, Graham said she would lay out a strategic plan for Pueblo, begin to collaborate with city council and set up town halls and meetings to learn from community members what they feel are Pueblo's most pressing needs.

At the tail end of her speech, Graham said that there will be “setbacks and false starts" and that many won’t agree with her decisions during her tenure. She pledged to do “everything I can to make Pueblo a better place the next four years” and prioritize what is “best for our city and its people, regardless of political affiliation or personal gain.”

Graham’s response when asked what her message would be to those who elected her was simple: “Thank you, Pueblo.”

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Chieftain reporter Josue Perez can be reached at JHPerez@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @josuepwrites. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Heather Graham wins mayoral runoff, plans to bring change to Pueblo