Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipalization Election topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pueblo council votes to call May 6 special election to allow municipalization question
Summary
City council approved an ordinance calling a coordinated special municipal election on May 6, 2025, to accommodate a potential ballot question on municipalizing the city's electric utility; council members said the ballot item will depend on a consultant study due in January and further council action by March/April.
City council passed an ordinance on Jan. 27 calling a special municipal election for May 6, 2025, to allow the city to place a municipalization question on the ballot if council later chooses to do so.
The ordinance, presented by staff as a cost-saving coordinated election with Pueblo County, was approved by a 7–0 vote. Staff said coordinating with the county is less expensive than holding a stand‑alone city election and estimated the city’s share would be “probably the regular $100,000.” Councilor comments and staff clarified timing and next steps: the city expects a consultant study on municipalization to be returned in January, and any ballot language would need to be drafted and submitted for first reading in early February and finalized on the council’s second February meeting if council wants the question on the May ballot.
Why it matters: municipalization would transfer electric utility control from the incumbent provider and could affect rates, franchise revenue, and long-term city finances. Council and staff repeatedly stressed that the consultant report will inform whether the council asks voters to decide in May.
Councilors asked about timing, cost, and legal limits. Staff said the city must notify the county by an April 11 deadline to cancel the coordinated election if it chooses not to proceed. Councilor Maestri and others noted that certain tax questions are likely aimed at a November general election rather than a spring special election. Staff answered that the spring election is being preserved primarily to accommodate the municipalization question because council expects the consultant’s timeline to require an early decision if they want a May vote.
Several council members and members of the public connected the municipalization discussion to broader energy issues. During public comment, a resident and environmental organizer urged the council to reconsider a recent vote related to a city renewable-energy ordinance; councilors said that municipalization and the city’s renewable goals are separate but related policy discussions that council will continue to examine.
Next steps: staff expects the consultant report back in January; the council may hold a work session on the report and must pass any enabling ordinance and ballot language in early February if it wants the municipalization question to appear on the May 6 coordinated election.
Votes at the meeting: the ordinance calling the special municipal election passed 7–0.
