[{"_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",6566869,"mediaKeyId","3201261-6b2ff57d48dc68a7100a4d35e3240c26","parentId",3201261,"title","City staff outlines Colorado bills to watch: social media, public records, union vote and local control provisions","audioSeconds",343,"startMs",132000,"endMs",475000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3201261-6b2ff57d48dc68a7100a4d35e3240c26&start=132&end=475","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3201261-6b2ff57d48dc68a7100a4d35e3240c26/thumbnail_132000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6566869/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/City-staff-outlines-Colorado-bills-to-watch-social-media-public-records-union-vote-and-local-control-provisions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566869-0fc0bad520f6ac2cd98f08c78e1b3707/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196264&Signature=gmfsxPilCKruo9D-vDDxIRJK4wghumcYkSSlnJkSmLeeILHJh~fkqQMkkWYMox1m9Vb5ISGQd7OdpiolMGlS~dYYQRG~xaf7mWFqusQ4Y8P~~6uIBrrxAxBX7u4NJX~7jczMIzAPRUli74oy8WOD3qeVJQaQPL3ui-iqSMJGZQeZS~KRQjNiOb8UgWD2v8lSGIfI8Tmwz4v~~gOS77-qlDy53ugtkrNEJJpTjP5JgCsfg4AYRu2yrs54Eb678bcsg8uSrmuyWkRzVzNtfezyfOZ43qL09~1xZAMl0WRLFtbC34o7cqbPPM-S-eZfmpM~pryoIYsbSPK4Revm-ddfog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pueblo City, CO","date","2025-05-06T16:18:35.937Z","article","A staff member updating the council on Colorado's legislative session told the Pueblo City Council on May 5 that a number of bills with potential municipal impacts remained unresolved as the session neared adjournment.

The staff update said about 96 bills remained on the calendar and summarized several items of municipal concern: the Social Media Accountability Bill (Senate Bill 86) attracted a veto and debate over free‑speech and platform policing; a public‑records timeline extension (Senate Bill 77) had been vetoed by Gov. Polis for weakening transparency; House Bill 1147 was reported by staff as on the governor\u001fs desk and subject to the 30‑day signing clock; and Senate Bill 5, a repeal of the union security (\"unit‑security\") second‑vote requirement, remained contentious and could face a governor's veto.

The staffer said the workers' compensation bill under consideration would expand injured workers\u001fability to choose their own treating physician rather than selecting only from an employer list; local governments and employer groups voiced concerns about cost implications. The update also flagged a high‑profile social policy bill debated in the Senate regarding transgender protections, including provisions about name changes for minors, and noted potential legal or ballot‑measure challenges were being discussed.

Of particular local interest, the staffer described House Bill 1169 (referred to during the meeting as the \"Yes in God's Backyard\" bill) as a proposal to allow religious institutions to build housing on their land regardless of local zoning; staff reported strong opposition from the Colorado Municipal League and said the measure was having difficulty in the Senate.

The speaker told the council that legislators and the governor had navigated veto and override tensions during the session and that cuts in federal funding could prompt a special session this fall to address a potential $1 billion shortfall in state revenue. Staff said they would continue to track and advise on municipal impacts, including any municipal court bill developments.

Ending: Council members offered brief comments and, where appropriate, raised follow‑up questions; staff said the city would continue to monitor relevant bills and coordinate with municipal partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session-May 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A city staffer updated the Pueblo City Council on state legislation to watch, listing bills on social media accountability, public‑records timelines, union‑security vote repeal, workers\u001fcomp changes and a religious‑institution zoning exemption.","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},6566878,"Council hears proposed 2025 CDBG and HOME allocations; members ask for more transparency on scoring and shelter spending",659,3886000,4545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3201261-6b2ff57d48dc68a7100a4d35e3240c26&start=3886&end=4545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3201261-6b2ff57d48dc68a7100a4d35e3240c26/thumbnail_3886000.jpg","/articles/6566878/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Council-hears-proposed-2025-CDBG-and-HOME-allocations-members-ask-for-more-transparency-on-scoring-and-shelter-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566878-49fa43b26277c77ba55528753d739525/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196264&Signature=TqSMYBOklcXHnL~2VRBzd6BUnHYiUE9VXOU9kblYURWvS72DslYC2FFpKOVveFSOXYLC5M7Be4kntB1uYp7CtPB46VKnmuE-LH3650rbf0M5SNL3wHYETTRe97RQmtQgd5PKVPqhxc3g-4DHiesVCcMB04JWxlJwvVAhs5mnEE7GLjvXRy9EUd3lU1s24rzoGykHgNtKnUmVvw~oryg1oj9DA5zePuAV28JrWWYXUdp~3V2ICGJfAGbZbOnShu-Yyl-CTilck-fVcHZqAMAIj9XOpJQnsPwf7v9pqrUECSdXaCLX6JRzlcIXP-nzv8vV-ODER02MJeUS8zT57WnOwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Melissa Cook, the city\u001fs housing administrator, presented the city\u001fs draft 2025 HUD Action Plan on May 5, outlining recommended uses of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds and explaining the timeline driven by federal allocation schedules.

Cook told the council that the city estimates annual CDBG receipts near $1.5 million and HOME receipts near $906,000, but the final HUD allocations will not be known until the federal agency posts allocations (historically in June–July). Because HUD deadlines require municipalities to submit ordinances before the federal deadline (Aug. 15 in HUD's calendar year), Cook said staff must present contingency budgets now; final ordinance amounts will be adjusted to match HUD\u001fs actual allocation.

The nut graf: The citizen advisory committee recommended funding that, pending HUD's final allocation, would direct roughly $213,750 to public services (nonprofits), $926,250 to public facilities and housing activities (including three residential rehabilitation programs and a county program), $300,000 to dangerous‑building abatement, and an award for noncongregate sheltering (8 individual, lockable shelter units at the existing Pueblo Shelter site) at $214,000.

Councilors asked for more transparency in the selection process. Councilor Mason asked whether the committee\u001fs recommendations are final; Cook said the citizen advisory committee issued scored recommendations that the council considers but that the ordinance is the council\u001fs decision. President Haley requested the scoring sheets and rationale for why several applicants were not funded; Cook said scores ranged from the low 70s to 90+ and that she would provide the full scorecards. Councilor Martinez urged recognition of the committee's volunteer work while also asking for clearer documentation of the application and appointment process; Cook said the city will soon post committee application procedures through the boards and commissions portal and is revising committee bylaws.

Cook explained noncongregate shelter funding as individual sleeping units designed for people who need a locked private space, and she said the city is considering placing eight such units at the existing shelter site to meet special‑needs requirements (youth, disability, COVID/isolation needs). President Haley questioned spending on additional units when the congregate shelter has not been full in recent years; Cook and other staff said programmatic need, flexibility for special populations, and federal eligibilities informed the recommendation.

Ending: Cook said she will provide council members the citizen advisory committee\u001fs scorecards and the historical CDBG/HOME allocation data they requested. Staff also signaled plans to fix the city's HUD fiscal calendar so future presentations can include final allocation amounts rather than contingencies.","City housing staff presented draft 2025 CDBG and HOME funding recommendations and a HUD-driven timeline; the citizen advisory committee recommended awards for nonprofits, residential rehabilitation, dangerous‑building abatement and noncongregate shelter units.",{"_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},6566883,"Pueblo staff: Proposition 123 funding opens opportunities but baseline makes three‑year goal unattainable",1168,686000,1854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3201261-6b2ff57d48dc68a7100a4d35e3240c26&start=686&end=1854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3201261-6b2ff57d48dc68a7100a4d35e3240c26/thumbnail_686000.jpg","/articles/6566883/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Pueblo-staff-Proposition-123-funding-opens-opportunities-but-baseline-makes-threeyear-goal-unattainable","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566883-9c167c732f51e26beb60d87dfaa8bb3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196264&Signature=iQjz7zdZTbglr0t-MAKjxEXNvnhOjnUO4tVw0R3rVMIn0TC2n9F~-TejanXqO3EEjK4NYDNq3kRF5tkwqCKAleh1p5Uu73aTSv8th9p-TaLkmvkSUhzvreTS26Uzle19WsiuiJ74ubjDrm-nw92GhFAmYRDKfasaUEth2VKrcwXxYo9CH6j~l5KqSQUMSJRpWTWIfR7NICrQDSxJxEW-9ZbHr0gucLIYq~qvkTPoImAsv7Ji4qavxXRG~jiEnOurFYbTKowZKvJBX~Wh6G-uEAlK7gBvCif2e5mlqJRkK80K-dd3mssLxMSQD5YLFLfU~iPplxK5D3bHghGFBO98Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Melissa Cook, the city\u001fs housing administrator, told the Pueblo City Council on May 5 that Proposition 123 gives Pueblo access to new state housing funds but imposes a prescriptive unit-count baseline that the city cannot meet under the law as written.

Cook said Proposition 123, a statewide ballot measure approved in November 2022, sets aside one‑tenth of 1% of excess TABOR revenue for housing and divides that money between the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA/OEDIT) and the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). She said those pots fund programs including land banking (grants/forgivable loans up to $5 million), CHFA equity awards (up to $15 million), concessionary debt for rental projects, homelessness response, and gap funding for homeownership developments (up to $70,000 per door).

The nut graff: Cook said Pueblo\u001fs legislatively required baseline is 13,403 existing affordable units under the measure\u001fs counting rules, which requires the city to add 3% per year for three years\u001f1,206 new deed‑restricted affordable units by Jan. 1, 2027\u001fto remain eligible. \"We know that's not going to happen,\" Cook said, and city staff are pursuing a legislative fix with other similarly affected communities.

Cook explained how the baseline was calculated: it uses American Community Survey data and building permits per the statute; the municipality must opt in to allow local governments and nonprofits to apply for the new funds. She said opting in does not guarantee an allocation to the city: applicants compete statewide, and if a jurisdiction has no applications that meet program criteria, it may receive no awards.

Councilors pressed for details on how the funding stacks work and how \"affordable\" is defined under the programs. Cook said rental units are generally targeted at 60% of area median income (AMI) or below; homeownership programs commonly target up to 80% AMI, and program rules determine the dollar caps and utility‑adjusted rent calculations. She used a Pueblo example: a three‑person household at 60% AMI would have a two‑bedroom rent cap of about $1,377 including utilities, and at 80% AMI a homeownership household would be capped at roughly $73,000 annual income with a maximum purchase price in the mid‑$200,000s under program rules.

Cook said the city has already applied for and received a local planning capacity grant ($96,000) and a $100,000 minor repair program; homelessness providers received about $289,000 from Proposition 123 funds. She added that the city is actively pursuing CHFA land‑banking applications and supporting large equity applications statewide, and has written letters of support for two local Equity program applicants.

Councilors raised implementation questions and next steps. Councilor Gil Maestri cited concerns about apparent tension between state land‑use bills and local control; Cook said a separate set of land‑use proposals did not become law and that DOLA has acknowledged the baseline problem. Councilor Martinez proposed working with other affected municipalities, such as Greeley, and with the city\u001fs lobbyists to seek a legislative amendment. Cook said DOLA is engaged in early conversations and that one approach could mirror the rural/resort petition mechanism enacted in 2023 but applied to lower‑income communities to recalibrate baselines.

Ending: Cook warned that if Pueblo cannot meet the three‑year numerical target, the municipality will simply be ineligible to apply for some Proposition 123 competitive awards for a one‑year period; homelessness response activities remain eligible. She said there are no clawbacks of funds already awarded. Council members asked staff to pursue a legislative fix and to convene partners and developers to advance competitive applications.

","City housing staff told the Pueblo City Council that opting into Colorado\u001fs Proposition 123 opens competitive grants but that the measure\u001fs baseline counts leave Pueblo required to produce 1,206 new deed-restricted affordable units by Jan. 1, 2027 \u001f a target city staff says is unattainable without legislative change.",{"_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},6566874,"Cement plant seeks Pueblo letter of support for DOE carbon‑capture grant; company pledges local hiring steps",311,3258000,3569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3201261-6b2ff57d48dc68a7100a4d35e3240c26&start=3258&end=3569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3201261-6b2ff57d48dc68a7100a4d35e3240c26/thumbnail_3258000.jpg","/articles/6566874/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Cement-plant-seeks-Pueblo-letter-of-support-for-DOE-carboncapture-grant-company-pledges-local-hiring-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6566874-a7aa5a390003f0158f859eee19091b82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196264&Signature=aXO4gM4-OfoR0YkaLxu3-YA7CjbmXanuFDEeuRGiy9Swv5cpUVnJ8bGeNAkRDBaVzInHitZZZ89QC-YzlDqaZHR7hEu20ynTNlsAgLx6GthePHeJd5UB9aDZD~5O8US4iP7pyKH44U0L9PJBczITsMWgeKOJyCfgP19alOKCy2zPOwj9DB0Uet5iHwDDBhBjxBEBGbuE-b3nO7xnEUzVIwHmJPi7T2Fr6rD~qGdZNE9~LdCn1ccARAMZK2fqtrefL26qfMDZmyrS6JqPVUr7Eu1crIT~bgyKNyW8mWBka4K-OK6UBFD2xp6BwYyLyFTnc~1yJ1JgkzLXBYGUiFwSww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Justin Kurth, public affairs and community relations manager for Wholesome US\u001fs Portland plant, asked the Pueblo City Council on May 5 for a letter of support for a Department of Energy grant application to install carbon capture technology at the cement plant east of Florence.

Kurth said the project would reduce process and fuel emissions from cement manufacture, would be developed in partnership with the Colorado School of Mines on technical matters, and that Wholesome US plans to partner with Colorado State University Pueblo on an economic impact study. He said the project could employ approximately 1,200 construction workers over about three years and that the plant currently employs nearly 200 people, some of whom live in Pueblo.

The nut graf: Kurth said support letters from the region improve competitiveness for DOE funding and that the plant is pursuing the grant as a first step toward a larger carbon‑management strategy. He said Wholesome US is also pursuing quarry expansions unrelated to carbon capture and that the greater Pueblo Chamber has provided a letter of support.

Councilors asked how the city could help ensure jobs would go to Pueblo residents. Kurth said Wholesome has HR staff attending local job fairs (including Pueblo Community College) and will expand recruitment and workforce development relationships to prioritize local hiring. Councilor Flores indicated support for a letter if legal review confirms the city would not assume obligations beyond a statement of support; Councilor Maestri similarly urged legal review of any grant terms that could bind the city.

Ending: Council members said they were generally supportive of exploring grant support but asked staff to review any request language or commitments for potential legal or fiscal obligations before the mayor signs a letter of support. Kurth said he would follow up with the city on workforce and legal‑review steps.","A representative of Wholesome US asked the council for a letter of support for a U.S. Department of Energy grant application to add carbon capture at the plant east of Florence. The company estimated about 1,200 construction jobs over three years and said it would work with local colleges and workforce programs to recruit Pueblo residents.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff outlines Colorado bills to watch: social media, public records, union vote and local control provisions

Council hears proposed 2025 CDBG and HOME allocations; members ask for more transparency on scoring and shelter spending

Pueblo staff: Proposition 123 funding opens opportunities but baseline makes three‑year goal unattainable

Cement plant seeks Pueblo letter of support for DOE carbon‑capture grant; company pledges local hiring steps