For years, Pueblo was Colorado’s second largest city. It boasted one of the state’s largest employers, the Colorado Fuel & Iron Corporation or CF&I.
When it was pumping on all cylinders, the ‘Mill,’ had more than 10,000 full-time workers punching the clock 24 hours a day every day of the year. It also had nearly that many workers doing equally as heavy lifting in mines scattered across southern Colorado.
Those days are over. The mill, in fact, has shrunk to a fraction of its one time workforce, perhaps even a bit more. But despite any and all economic ebbs and flows, Pueblo is, well, Pueblo. It is ‘Pueblo Strong,’ and has been even before a similar slogan signifying resilience appeared anywhere.
Today, say city leaders, Pueblo’s best days are still ahead. They say it has all the things businesses and families need and want for 21st century growth and prosperity.
“Pueblo has a fantastic future,” said Pueblo native George Autobee. “It has water, the reservoir, affordable land, the cost of living is cheaper—and that’s an incentive for families and retirees,” he said. “Pueblo, to me, is a treasure,” Autobee said before tempering his optimism.
With all the amenities he listed, Autobee also sounded a sobering note of caution. “We still need to do something to keep our young people here. We don’t want a ‘brain drain,’” new college graduates taking their diplomas and leaving town. “If we can put our collective minds together,” he said, “we can take the city to the next level.”
Veteran Pueblo City Council member, Dennis Flores, also touts his hometown as one of the state’s undiscovered gems. Term-limited since the end of 2025, Flores said he plans on “staying involved.”
Looking to the future, Flores said the pieces are in place for ‘takeoff,’ but first, some things need to happen. “We need to continue indicating to the world that Pueblo is open for business.”
The city, he said, needs to continue luring business to Pueblo using economic incentives, underscoring the city’s amenities, including a four-year college and one of the state’s best community colleges, a ready workforce, an airport that provides a quick connection to DIA, great weather and access to southern Colorado’s most inviting open space for outdoor recreation. Pueblo, Flores believes, “has so much potential.”
Now retired classroom teacher, school principal and district administrator, Patricia Gonzales, remains focused on Pueblo’s students. “I hope the district, its leadership and the school board continue taking input from the community on how to handle merging and the closing of schools.”
Because of declining enrollments, an issue pervasive in many Colorado cities and towns, Gonzales hopes that other options available for families, including charter schools, do not syphon students away from the public schools. “It’s something we all have to deal with.”
Retired Chief Judge and current Pueblo District 60 school board member, Dennis Maes, echoes both the optimism and reality of his city. (I) Would love to see the city prepare a three-year strategic plan for economic development, establish a productive working relationship with all its departments and provide a safe community for all.” Check this space in 358 days. But, also, don’t forget to jot down your own 2026 New Year resolutions or goals for results.
