[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6576147,"mediaKeyId","3169697-82a742def2334c10afa8655bed213f94","parentId",3169697,"title","Council hears proposal to align city tobacco-retailer license with county; officials cite youth vaping data","audioSeconds",1229,"startMs",2444000,"endMs",3673000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169697-82a742def2334c10afa8655bed213f94&start=2444&end=3673","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169697-82a742def2334c10afa8655bed213f94/thumbnail_2444000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6576147/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Council-hears-proposal-to-align-city-tobacco-retailer-license-with-county-officials-cite-youth-vaping-data","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576147-ed572800e3bf4e35f538b17012a37ae2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426206&Signature=GEpZmQ-XxLMvFjrEbI79Wb-bBroSsRCOJvJoOzzJ8b0FkTDvDePdv72EFWgsb~-0ctyO8eJlssEmAU0wMo-sv5pKsPQMCBQPZ3xGCoaPGPZEcX9XSM7sABrEQXmRq5jpbg99YN2wi-3vhAKHCu7FmkF8qZ8GnLrOHI31FrztM4CVxS3rHhChviiXbSV9Job~WwBGjDz4-3Qsw4~mNUL6zaPs8XWYnTFLvFKX5tup3aQbF2tcUNuQD6cUqlR1asN4c8OdGsdtbwjtOb~JJEUeweJHw~G6avrZTKqxWbvZe6-CeuiIqalqeZsPrzmZRxpNoE7PlpAuq8UfNX4DzB9b6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pueblo City, CO","date","2025-05-01T17:32:09.783Z","article","City Clerk Marissa Stoler briefed the Pueblo City Council on April 28 on proposed changes to the city’s tobacco‑retailer license intended to align rules with a potential Pueblo County license and to reduce youth access to tobacco products and vapes.

Stoler summarized the city’s tobacco‑licensing history and presented data from the Healthy Kids Colorado survey showing increases in youth access to retail tobacco in Pueblo County. She reported that, in county survey results Stoler cited, 70.84 percent of students in 2021 and 80.51 percent in 2023 said they were not refused a tobacco purchase because of their age; 53.3 percent said they believed it would be easy to obtain vapes; and 13.1 percent reported use of a tobacco product in the past 30 days. Stoler said those figures were above the state averages cited in the survey.

Proposed changes discussed included:
- Prohibiting anyone under age 21 from handling tobacco products (Clerk’s office note: current rules allow employees 18–20 to handle products).
- Increasing the initial tobacco‑retailer license fee (the clerk noted the fee was $100 in 2012, raised to $200 in 2021) and proposing an increase to $500 for new licenses, with renewal fees to align with the state ($400), plus a higher late fee.
- Strengthening recommended penalty amounts for repeat violations; local enforcement would remain nonbinding and hearing officers would have discretion.

Stoler described inspection and violation history: inspections are carried out by the state; the city maintains roughly 130–140 tobacco licenses. She said there were two violations in 2023, 13 in 2024 and six stipulations as of April 1, 2025. County Deputy Director Kyle Aber said the increase in findings reflects expanded enforcement: “the more you check, the more you're gonna find.” Aber also said the county currently has no licensing scheme and is preparing an ordinance that would create one and mirror many city provisions.

Council discussion focused on the scope and impacts of changes. Councilor Bostic raised concerns about employment impacts for 18‑ to 20‑year‑old workers, saying “If your job is to check an ID, you should check an ID.” Councilor Martinez moved to advance the changes; he cited that a local reputable retailer had urged stronger penalties. Stoler indicated the Pueblo Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership would assist with retailer education if the ordinance moves forward.

Council expressed general support for bringing the proposed ordinance forward for formal consideration and debate; members also discussed the possibility of addressing flavor bans separately at a later date. Stoler said she would present the ordinance to council for formal action, and councilors suggested they could amend age or penalty provisions during the ordinance hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session-April 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Clerk Marissa Stoler briefed the Pueblo City Council on proposed changes to the tobacco‑retailer license on April 28, including raising handling‑age limits, increasing fees and strengthening penalties to reduce youth access to tobacco and vaping products.","taxTitle","Pueblo City, Pueblo County, Colorado","taxId",4964,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576153,"Former gang member outlines prevention, mentoring work with Pueblo youth",2170,280000,2450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169697-82a742def2334c10afa8655bed213f94&start=280&end=2450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169697-82a742def2334c10afa8655bed213f94/thumbnail_280000.jpg","/articles/6576153/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Former-gang-member-outlines-prevention-mentoring-work-with-Pueblo-youth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576153-69f26f55d1d2e2c374926947715d7093/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426206&Signature=RVM9PUAHDRRPPYh-FBz5Iuqa5D62TsP~snQCvDQ~K9Y8h9KFCR-qDT~E0oWeGvizv96QETaQGOoW1CbVJ14dXoYErm8zbgRMUq8xaIKgN-7RjDHHLVYwxkYAsT6qt7sPhzHMJWhQ1l8xV1S6ec-~jmAbg05uZE3Qg18~6ZYy1mMd7CwR7IUvNesbUtEeXDnMm9nLyjlCSEA98HN4icguOBMBDsJpksNFARXDtB-FFi3Kiq2hKqyHc026A8v2WbdopzXEZf7D2efj6PQ3XqajSRrsoxjjDfyujnZtJ7wpT2iM24P9i17Zx52nrh9oZ6dZ7R98qLSw~DtJ8nYZ2Aa6Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark Salazar, founder and CEO of Hard Knocks Gang Prevention and Intervention, told the Pueblo City Council on April 28 that his program runs evidence-based group sessions with juveniles referred by probation and child-welfare services and operates chess and mentoring programs at local libraries to teach impulse control and decision‑making.

Salazar said the program facilitates weekly groups at the probation department and provides therapeutic mentoring “primarily, like, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.” He described a chess curriculum he uses at Lucero and Rawlings libraries to emphasize thinking ahead: “the game of life is very much like the game of chess, and they both require that you make the right moves to win.”

The presentation and a subsequent question-and-answer period focused on the age at which youths are recruited into gangs, how to connect youths who want to leave gangs with jobs or recreational activities, and funding constraints. Councilor Martinez praised Salazar’s rapport with youth and said he had seen the program in action at probation sessions. Martinez asked, “What's the average age right now of these young people getting jumped into gangs?” Salazar replied that recruitment often begins as early as 9 or 10 years old and explained the program’s focus on teaching protective factors and managing emotion-driven decision making.

Council members and other speakers offered practical suggestions and support. Councilor Flores asked how the program helps youths who want to leave gangs and whether the nonprofit could connect them to jobs; Salazar said he assists older teenagers with resumes and job applications and partners with local gyms and recreational programs to provide constructive alternatives for younger children. Councilor Maestri encouraged outreach to local businesses for fundraising and in-kind support. Several council members, including Councilors Tina and Boston, publicly thanked Salazar and offered to help connect him with resources.

Salazar said Hard Knocks is a 501(c)(3) incorporated in July 2015 and has received some contracts and small grants. He described barriers that his criminal record has created in pursuing placements inside certain juvenile facilities, and he said those limitations can hinder scaling services into correctional settings. Salazar said the program recently received a grant from “ANT” (name as spoken) and said he is pursuing other funding, including a possible grant to acquire a used van to transport youth to program activities.

Council discussion did not produce formal direction or funding commitments; members offered individual offers of assistance, requested Salazar share his PowerPoint and contact information, and encouraged potential connections with law-enforcement outreach programs and Police Athletic League–style mentoring.

Salazar left materials for the council and asked for feedback on partnerships and funding opportunities. Council members closed the item by thanking him for the presentation.","Mark Salazar, founder of Hard Knocks Gang Prevention and Intervention, told the Pueblo City Council about his program’s mentoring, probation partnerships and chess-based curriculum and asked for community and council support to expand services and resources.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576138,"Council moves to executive session to discuss negotiations, property and collective bargaining",256,3577000,3833000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169697-82a742def2334c10afa8655bed213f94&start=3577&end=3833","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169697-82a742def2334c10afa8655bed213f94/thumbnail_3577000.jpg","/articles/6576138/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Council-moves-to-executive-session-to-discuss-negotiations-property-and-collective-bargaining","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576138-8975ac7a0189ca72f039042b271fd43d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426206&Signature=ACRkTkiYiKQ~z3c9RUJPpx~5F-rh2swmgIlamm7Mx7dh27wlAcKxMRGfDvA00-zh5m4q-o3wvQwmyFtobeMVSqCfyQlLFDe5y2RR3HI2AxUhFiUCWvwUwMWHkUl~VJm4hN-B7kHPXAfLuRwjFGwZeZQgwL4qms7z1QwGtv4QBqO5nhIDlgmGnymOI5sFg3qd1kaOdcapHTs8FjFcmThubTYwkt2K8qSfSErEh7IY7hzssXjUteB9vRMMAlGxItoRbbBD5qeDhInnFHvnPSVui9f89YkLRSKYSqWYcaAAt9XqpOZjXEMNlRulcZDnJNP4CmiTU2EJ4y~HkHdIU~DTLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council moved into an executive session during the April 28 meeting to receive information related to negotiations and real property and to discuss collective bargaining strategy.

A council member read a motion invoking Colorado’s open‑meetings exception for negotiation strategy and property transactions (citing CRS provisions). The motion stated the purposes as “determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations and or instructing negotiators under CRS section 24‑6‑402(4)(e)(I), and to discuss the purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer or sale of any real, personal or other property interest pursuant to CRS 24‑6‑402(4)(a).” The motion also identified an item for discussion as receiving information from PEDCO regarding a potential prospect and discussing the possible sale of commercial property related thereto. Later, an additional identification noted discussion of the 2026 collective bargaining agreement with the Pueblo Association of Government Employees.

The motion was seconded and council recessed into executive session; council indicated a return time during the meeting. No formal vote tally was recorded in the ground‑level meeting transcript provided, but council proceeded to the executive session and scheduled a return at the announced time. Because executive‑session discussions are by statute confidential, no details of negotiation positions or property terms were disclosed on the public record at the meeting.

Action summary: council approved moving into executive session to discuss negotiations, a potential commercial‑property transaction tied to PEDCO information, and the 2026 PAGe collective bargaining agreement. No public decisions or agreements were made in open session.","The Pueblo City Council voted to enter an executive session to receive information from PEDCO about a prospective commercial prospect and to discuss possible sale of commercial property, pending negotiations strategy and a 2026 collective bargaining agreement with the Pueblo Association of Government Employees (PAGe).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6576143,"City announces commission application extension, brownfield open house and youth cleanup",251,38000,289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3169697-82a742def2334c10afa8655bed213f94&start=38&end=289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3169697-82a742def2334c10afa8655bed213f94/thumbnail_38000.jpg","/articles/6576143/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/City-announces-commission-application-extension-brownfield-open-house-and-youth-cleanup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6576143-970d3d20dc742b22128a80fad0683343/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426206&Signature=CyKbe1k~j~fQzQmLslum-J1qMwQIMoezs7A~CZRPjy-0cjejEh8qz8gTfMz-UmnOSdhIA~3Zk8315nmhJdVNWwidLYGdtQbbG-N0NzAnA0iiNN5zEawJZTy~rFvQ9zfV5wCC-SQJKRC4~rWTb6dOUe34xOxKy~3cJrgEGmuuiUvaXDM1oM1dsyJctAL-y9NdrMQUJwafiAwTPidBZlb~VAyaStdmk8dNvoSIPFjRSVZENugD9JS2nhbhFejq9eFhXczZn6hGOvYh1M3tkBBiDCRXo~Vd7ZjgJ2EnU6tigFanxhSESo7tQc859etyfToc5~01iCW2JT~7hZlrzhSbzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief of Staff Brian McCain and City Clerk staff opened the April 28 meeting with a set of community announcements and scheduling items.

McCain said the deadline to apply to serve on the Pueblo Commission on Energy, which had been set to expire that day, was extended to May 27 at 8 a.m. He also announced a Brownfield open house with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday, April 29, focused on revitalization efforts in the Bessemer and Eastside neighborhoods; the event will be at the Rawlings Library in the Brett Kelly Room B from 5 to 6:45 p.m. McCain referred interested residents to contact Wade Broadhead, senior city planner, for more information at (719) 553‑2280 or wbroadhead@pueblo.us.

McCain also promoted Mayor Heather Graham’s youth council cleanup scheduled for Friday, May 9 at Pueblo City Park from 9 a.m. to noon; volunteers are asked to meet at the City Park pool parking lot and gloves and trash bags will be provided. He reviewed Pueblo Parks and Recreation youth sports and tennis opportunities and urged parents to register children by Friday, May 2 to avoid late fees. McCain provided contact information for Parks and Recreation registration and said program flyers would be posted online.

These items were presented as informational updates; no formal council action was taken during the announcements.","City staff announced an extended application deadline for the Pueblo Commission on Energy, a Brownfield open house April 29, and upcoming youth cleanup and Parks & Recreation registration deadlines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears proposal to align city tobacco-retailer license with county; officials cite youth vaping data

Former gang member outlines prevention, mentoring work with Pueblo youth

Council moves to executive session to discuss negotiations, property and collective bargaining

City announces commission application extension, brownfield open house and youth cleanup