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Councilor proposes $50,000 pilot to help small businesses repair vandalized windows; debate over scope and funding
Summary
Councilor Sam Martinez proposed a $50,000 pilot reimbursable grant program on Sept. 15 to help small businesses replace vandalized glass and doors. He asked staff to draft an ordinance appropriating funds from ARPA interest; councilors and the police chief debated program size, insurance coordination and crime trends.
Councilor Sam Martinez proposed a $50,000 pilot program on Sept. 15 to reimburse small businesses for glass and door repairs after vandalism, asking Pueblo staff to draft an ordinance and use ARPA interest funds to pay reimbursements. Martinez described a 10% increase in vandalism and said the pilot would reimburse up to $1,000 in out-of-pocket expenses per business per year.
Martinez told council that police data showed vandalism reports rose from 1,288 in 2024 to 1,418 through Sept. 10, 2025, and urged a quick-response pilot aimed at reducing boarded storefronts and blight. He used a recent repair at Nyx Dairy Cream — a $302 window repair, he said — as an example of the kind of small expense the grant could cover.
Program design proposed: Martinez proposed that businesses be eligible if in good standing with…
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