Pueblo Mayor hosts roundtable discussion on the unhoused

Brett Yager
·2 min read

(PUEBLO, Colo.) — Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham and local nonprofit leaders, organizations, and individuals gathered on Thursday, Feb. 22 for discussions about the unhoused and people experiencing homelessness.

The roundtable was organized by Mayor Graham after the no-camping ordinance passed on Monday, Feb. 12 by Pueblo City Council.

“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,” said Mayor Graham. “There’s room for us to amend this ordinance and help individuals in a more effective way than the current monetary penalty.”

The City of Pueblo said 35 people, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations attended. Including organizations such as:

  • United Way of Pueblo County

  • Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association

  • Posada

  • The Pueblo Rescue Mission

  • Catholic Charities of Southern Colorado

  • People Helping People in Faith

  • Project Apollo

  • Mariposa

  • The Community Commission on Housing and Homelessness

  • Health Solutions

  • Housing Authority of the City of Pueblo

The roundtable discussed ideas such as mobilized services to different areas of town, selective enforcement areas, grant funding, and collaboration of resources. The idea of safe parking and safe camping ideas were also suggested.

Jimmy Duffner of the Community Commission of Housing and Homeless and the Faith Leaders in Action group mentioned opportunities to build and support transitional housing such as a tiny home or pallet shelter community.

Pueblo currently has the Pueblo Rescue Mission, Crazy Faith, Mariposa, and Posada that help with emergency overnight sheltering. Some of the shelters are limited to those affected by domestic violence, specifically women and children, or are only available based on emergency weather declarations authorized by the mayor.

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

The City said the roundtable was also attended by the Pueblo Police Department Chief Chris Noeller and the Directed Investigative Community Engagement (DICE) Unit. Chief Noeller invited other community members to a bi-weekly meeting held by Health Solutions.

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