Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region asks Pueblo for $170,000 increase as shelter intakes surge

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region told the Pueblo City Council on Sept. 29 that it is requesting an additional $170,000 for its 2026 city contract after a sustained increase in animals entering its shelter.

Kelly Lykes, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR), told council members, “We have been in a budget deficit since 2024,” and said the increase in intakes and calls for animal-law-enforcement services are the primary drivers of the funding request.

Lykes said the organization’s current contract with Pueblo was negotiated in 2022 and was based on an estimated 5,200 annual intakes. “Since 2023, HSPPR has provided shelter and animal law enforcement services to 8,200 animals annually,” Lykes said, and she told councilors the organization expects similar volumes in 2025.

Why it matters: city officials must decide whether to increase the contract as requested, spread any increase across multiple years, or pursue other budget options before the contract expires Dec. 31. HSPPR representatives asked the city to provide direction by Oct. 1 so the nonprofit can finalize its operating plans and staffing.

Key facts and council questions

- Amount requested: HSPPR said it is…