Pueblo West approves agreement with Pueblo County to complete Purcell Trail to Liberty Point Overlook

Pueblo West Metropolitan District directors on May 20 approved an intergovernmental agreement with Pueblo County to complete design and move toward construction of the Purcell Trail connection to the Liberty Point Memorial Overlook.

The agreement implements a CDOT-funded grant the district received in 2023. Carol Cosby, director of Parks and Recreation, told the board the total grant award is $1,693,108 and the project is an 80/20 match, with the district’s budgeted share of $338,622 already identified. Cosby said design work to date has cost $191,630 and that the trail segment will run about 2.7 miles and tie into existing and planned trails including the Joe Martinez Veil and a future Medal of Honor trail from Pueblo County.

Why it matters: the project expands Pueblo West’s trail network and links several trail projects, while the federal-state reimbursement structure requires the district to advance funds up front and submit monthly reimbursement requests to CDOT.

The board heard details about responsibilities in the proposed agreement. Cosby said Pueblo County owns the Liberty Point Overlook parcel and the agreement assigns maintenance of the trail and overlook itself (trash, debris, weeds) to Pueblo West while Pueblo County will maintain the parking lot and roadway. She said the district will put the work out to public bid and that procurement and project-management staff would evaluate bids and manage construction oversight and testing. "We put it out to bid ... and then our project management team ... are out there daily on-site with the contractor when they're brought on," Cosby said.

Directors asked about procurement and contractor vetting. Christian J. Hein, the district manager, and Carl Coomley, general counsel, said the district follows its procurement policy including financial and conflict-of-interest checks; Coomley noted the procurement policy contains provisions to disclose or address potential conflicts. Directors suggested the board consider having a member sit on large evaluation committees or otherwise review procurement rules to strengthen public confidence.

Cosby said the district will pay construction costs up front and submit monthly reimbursement claims to CDOT; she told the board reimbursements typically arrive the next month. The board voted to approve the resolution and sign the agreement so the district can complete design and proceed to construction procurement. The motion carried.