Let's talk business: Boreas Camper put to the test in Utah; free tax filing event approaches

Pueblo-based Boreas Campers recently put its XT model to the test as a “sag wagon,” taking 10 cyclists to the White Rim Trail in Utah.

The truck and camper featuring independent suspension and all-terrain tires handled the off road terrain and carried the tent, sleeping bags, gear, food and drinks for the entire crew so no one had to ride with packs on their bikes.

“Supporting a large group on the iconic White Rim Trail is what the XT was built for, said Matt Reichel, Boreas Campers founder and “sag wagon” driver. “With the heavy duty frame to handle off road terrain, components needed to be self sufficient off the grid and the creature comforts, it is the perfect adventure basecamp.”

Read the full White Rim trip report at boreascampers.com.

Free income tax e-filing assistance

A United Way of Pueblo Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program kicks off Jan. 30 and runs through April 18 at eight different local sites.

Anyone with a household annual income of $60,000 or less qualifies. IRS-certified volunteers will prepare and e-file both federal and state tax forms.

To book an appointment, go to pueblounitedway.org/vita or call 719-225-8580 ext. 3.

Lake Pueblo ranger named state's best

Lake Pueblo State Park Manager Joe Stadterman was named the 2022 Outstanding Colorado State Parks and Wildlife Park Ranger of the Year during an awards ceremony Tuesday.

Stadterman was selected by fellow state park rangers for his work helping to oversee the state’s busiest park, as he and his team saved more than a dozen lives in 2022.

He's also a founding member of Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Marine Evidence Recovery Team, which travels the state recovering drowning victims.

Nominations sought for Pueblo’s outstanding women

The Pueblo City-County Library District is accepting nominations through 5 p.m. Feb. 17 for outstanding women in Pueblo County.

The annual awards honor those women who have made important contributions to the community and celebrates the roles they have played, both large and small, in Pueblo’s history.

An in-person awards luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. March 31 at Rawlings Public Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave. All honorees will receive an “Outstanding Woman of 2023” handmade ceramic art piece

Nominations can be submitted online at pueblolibrary.org/outstandingwomen. Print forms can be mailed or delivered to Rawlings Library, attention Sara Schwartz, 100 E. Abriendo Ave., Pueblo, CO, 81004.

Albertsons/Safeway Foundation awards $2,500 grant

Graduated Hope, a nonprofit organization assisting Pueblo with affordable housing needs, has been awarded a $2,500 grant from the Albertsons Safeway Foundation.

The grant was used to supply Christlife Ministries of Pueblo with food and supplies for its new commercial kitchen. Christlife Ministries is a nonprofit that provides transitional housing, counseling, living skills, employment readiness and substance abuse help for clients who are exiting Colorado’s Department of Corrections, jail, probation or rehab facilities.

The staff of the Pueblo West Safeway also supplied meats, canned goods, produce and kitchen utensils for Christlife Ministries that will be used to feed as many as 50 residents daily.

SunWest Credit Union names new president

Leslie Shepard has been named president and CEO of SunWest Credit Union.

Shepard has worked at SunWest for 26 years in multiple management capacities, most recently serving as senior vice president. She graduated from Colorado State University Pueblo with a bachelor's of business administration degree.

“I’m excited to work with the SunWest staff and board to continuously enhance the products and services we offer to our members and to serve our community," Shepard said.

The credit union has two branches, located on Pueblo’s south side at 4141 Sovereign Circle and the north side at 700 Eagleridge Blvd.

Affordable sports physicals available to Pueblo County athletes

Pueblo Community Health Center is offering affordable sports physicals for athletes in both middle and high school who are enrolled in either Pueblo School District 60, Pueblo County School District 70, or Chavez/Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy.

Appointments are available at the agency’s school-based wellness centers at Centennial, Central, East and Pueblo County high schools, Chavez/Huerta academy, and the Pueblo Community College Student Health Center from Feb. 21-27. Call 719- 543-8718 ext. 700 to schedule an appointment

Drive Clean Connection set Feb. 10

The Drive Clean Connection Southern Colorado group is set to meet from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Pueblo Community College, 900 W. Orman Ave.

Topics will include technical training and workforce needs for Zero Emission Vehicles. a Tour of Pueblo Community College's Automotive Service Technology Center, lunch and electric vehicle ride and drive display will be included.

The event is free for members or $25 for nonmembers, plus a free virtual option is available. Tickets can be obtained at eventbrite.com.

Pueblo City-County Library District expands internet access for users

A Federal Communications Commission Emergency Connectivity Fund grant of nearly $500,000 has enabled the library district to purchase more than 885 WiFi connected devices, expanding the district’s digital resource collection by nearly 700%.

Library patrons can check out a device for up to four months. The library also has 500 Chromebooks with built-in WiFi, 285 mobile hotspots and 100 iPads.

“We are extremely proud to bring this size of a broadband connectivity grant to the Pueblo community. It is our goal to serve students and anyone who wouldn't have connectivity otherwise,” said Sherri Baca, library executive director.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo-made Boreas Camper put to the test in Utah and other business news