Mayor Graham holds meeting with Pueblo homeless advocates in response to camping ban

Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham held a meeting last week with homeless advocates and nonprofits that assist the unhoused in response to a camping ban that city council passed earlier this month.

More than 35 people and organizations attended the meeting. It was held in city council chambers and the discussions centered on the unhoused and homelessness. Pueblo Rescue Mission, Health Solutions, United Way of Pueblo County and the Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association were just some of the agencies that attended the meeting.

In a news release issued Friday, the city said Graham called for the one-hour meeting in response to council’s 4-2 approval of a camping ban that makes it illegal to camp on public property within city limits.

People who violate the ordinance could face a fine of up to $1,000 if they refuse to move to sheltered space. Most homeless encampments in Pueblo are located along the Fountain Creek area.

“We had so many individuals come to testify against this ordinance and who feel strongly about how to address our homeless issue in Pueblo, so I wanted to invite the community in for an initial conversation,” Graham said in the release. “There’s room for us to amend this ordinance and help individuals in a more effective way than the current monetary penalty.”

Specifics as to how the ordinance could be amended were not discussed during the meeting, but a “less punitive” approach to people who camp on public property was explored, said Haley Sue Robinson, director of public affairs for the city.

An amendment to the ordinance would have to come from city council, but it’s unclear if any council members plan to seek one. Regina Maestri, the councilor who introduced the ordinance, told the Chieftain she would oppose any proposed changes to the ordinance.

Maestri, Mark Aliff, Joe Latino and Roger Gomez voted for the camping ban, while Dennis Flores and Sarah Martinez opposed it. Flores said he hasn’t thought about what an amendment to the new law would look like.

Graham signed the ordinance on Feb. 16, four days after it was approved by council. Graham had five days to veto the ordinance after its approval and return it to council with written objections, but she did not do so, Robinson said.

The Chieftain attempted to learn why Graham didn't veto it but could not get a response prior to Monday's deadline.

Meeting also served as 'preliminary discussion' between agencies, mayor on homelessness

Graham also brought the nonprofits and stakeholders together to hear about potential solutions Pueblo could use to address homelessness, Robinson said. The meeting was a “preliminary discussion” on what some stakeholders want to see Pueblo adopt to better help the unhoused.

“I’m looking for sustainability and long-term solutions,” Graham said in the release.

Some of the solutions discussed during the meeting were safe camping and parking spots that could stabilize the unhoused while they seek permanent housing options. Some attendees also floated ideas for housing initiatives and how to foster collaboration among agencies, Robinson said.

Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller and members of the department’s Directed Investigative Community Engagement team were also present for the meeting. Representatives from some organizations had a chance to introduce themselves and share more about their mission and efforts to help people who are homeless.

“The meeting was very informative,” said Paul Montoya, a long-time homeless advocate in Pueblo. At the meeting, Montoya represented his nonprofit, People Helping People in Faith.

Montoya said there is “no way on Earth” Pueblo’s unhoused could afford the fine if issued one for violating the ordinance. He added that he wishes Maestri had given the ordinance more thought before introducing it.

Graham also would have liked to hear more from the public about the ordinance before it passed, though she acknowledges that councilors can bring forth any ordinance they want approved, Robinson said.

The release states that Graham told attendees the discussions they started could continue and that she “welcomed solution-based discussion to move forward.”

Chieftain reporter Josué 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: Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham holds meeting in response to camping ban