Pueblo elections 2023: Who's running for mayor, councilor? Begin to get answers here

Anna Lynn Winfrey, Pueblo Chieftain
Updated ·2 min read

There's a presidential election planned for next year, but Pueblo voters will vote on some of the city's leaders in the upcoming election on Nov. 7.

Puebloans will vote on the city's mayor for the second time in recent memory. Incumbent Nick Gradisar is hoping to serve another term, but there are eight people vying to replace him. There are also open contests in three city council seats, the Pueblo Board of Water Works, and the Pueblo School District 60 Board of Education.

The Pueblo Chieftain has surveyed all 18 candidates for mayor and council about the key topics and critical issues facing the city, featuring some questions submitted directly by readers.

Candidates for municipal office gathered at Pueblo City Hall for a ballot order determination process on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
Candidates for municipal office gathered at Pueblo City Hall for a ballot order determination process on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Nearly all of the candidates, with the exception of three people, responded to the questionnaire. Their answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.

In addition to the questionnaires, the Chieftain has centralized all of its past reporting on local races in this story to give Pueblo voters the information they need to make an informed decision this election season.

Candidate information is provided in no particular order.

Pueblo mayoral candidate Q&A

Candidates for the Pueblo Mayor participate in the 2023 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce candidate debates at Memorial Hall on Thursday, October 5, 2023
Candidates for the Pueblo Mayor participate in the 2023 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce candidate debates at Memorial Hall on Thursday, October 5, 2023

Larry Atencio

Nick Gradisar

Heather Graham

Chris Nicoll

Dennis Flores

Regina Maestri

Randy Thurston

Tom Croshal

Deryk Trujillo did not respond to the Chieftain's questionnaire.

Pueblo City Council at-large seat Q&A

Candidates for the Pueblo City Council at-large seat participate in the 2023 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce candidate debates at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
Candidates for the Pueblo City Council at-large seat participate in the 2023 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce candidate debates at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

Brandon Martin

Elvis Martinez

Mark Aliff

Pueblo City Council District 2 Q&A

Candidates for the Pueblo City Council District 2 seat participate in the 2023 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce candidate debates at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Candidates for the Pueblo City Council District 2 seat participate in the 2023 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce candidate debates at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Tom Carrigan

Joe Latino

Pete Madrid

Sam Hernandez did not respond to the questionnaire.

Pueblo City Council District 4 Q&A

Roger Gomez speaks as a candidate for the Pueblo City Council District 4 seat during the 2023 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce candidate debates at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Roger Gomez speaks as a candidate for the Pueblo City Council District 4 seat during the 2023 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce candidate debates at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Roger Gomez

Vicente Martinez Ortega did not respond to the questionnaire.

Pueblo D60 Board candidate profiles

The Pueblo School District 60 administration building.
The Pueblo School District 60 administration building.

In addition to the surveys sent to city council and mayoral candidates, the Chieftain has compiled the following profiles on Pueblo School District 60 board candidates:

Sol Sandoval

Tommy Farrell

Dennis Maes

Anthony Perko

Roger Wright

Sue Pannunzio

Dan Comden

Brian Cisneros

Bill Thiebaut

Pueblo Board of Water Works candidate profiles

Meet the candidates, Sandy Guitterez and Celeste Arellano

2023 Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce debate recaps

Mayoral candidates

City council and water board

Pueblo D60 school board

Voting stickers from Election Day in Pueblo last year. This year, Election Day will be on Tuesday, November 7.
Voting stickers from Election Day in Pueblo last year. This year, Election Day will be on Tuesday, November 7.

What to know about Colorado ballot measures

Arguments for and against Proposition HH and Proposition II

How to make sure your vote is counted in Pueblo

How to vote for mayor, city council, and more

Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com. Please support local news at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Chieftain 2023 election guide to Pueblo mayor, city council, other races