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Goodnight Barn stewards ask council to transfer ownership so nonprofit can expand preservation and programs
Summary
Volunteers and the Goodnight Barn nonprofit described preservation work and asked council to relinquish city ownership so the nonprofit can pursue grants and expand educational events; presenters emphasized the barn's 19th-century origin, National Register status, prior restoration and parking/land needs.
Laurel Campbell and other volunteers told Pueblo City Council on Feb. 17 that the Goodnight Barn, a late-19th-century stone barn listed on the National Register, needs new stewardship to broaden public programs and secure grant funding.
Campbell recounted the barn's history and recent restoration work and said the nonprofit formed to maintain the site has been operating restoration and events for years. She asked council to consider transferring city ownership to the nonprofit so the group can pursue grant opportunities and carry out a long-range plan for an interpretive campus.
Presenters described prior capital work (a $42,000 grant for early stabilization), said much of the 1870 timber and stone remains original, and noted the site's prior uses and interpretation potential. Campbell said the nonprofit has begun modest earned-income activities (a small admission charge for tours) and runs events, but that the lack of parking and parcel scale limits larger visitor programming.
Council members asked for clarification about timing and logistics. Councelor Hernandez asked whether relinquishment would appear on the agenda (staff said it might come forward for first reading on Feb. 23); others pressed about school partnerships (transportation costs for District 60 buses were cited as an unresolved item) and visitor counts (presenters estimated monthly tour attendance of roughly 20—25 in peak months and larger crowds for events).
Campbell described interpretive goals: reconstructing an orchard and bunkhouse footprint, creating meeting space and a small interpretive center, and hosting chuck-wagon roundups and western-themed events. She also highlighted the barn's cultural significance and artifacts found on site.
Ending: Council did not act on an ownership transfer during the work session but signaled support and invited the nonprofit to return; the mayor and at least one councilor expressed willingness to help the group pursue additional land or funding. Staff indicated the item might appear on a future meeting agenda for formal consideration.
