Greenhorn Valley projects have been benefitting from Pueblo County 1-A funds for many years. When Barbara “Bobbi” Highberger learned that the Pueblo County Information Technology Team was going to be doing a news release on how Pueblo County 1-A funds were helping communities; she drew on her extensive media background, local knowledge and contacts and set up some meetings to display how the valley has benefitted.
Working with Mike Ricottone, Pueblo County 1- A Funds Project Manager, and Adam Uhernik and Anthony Mestas of the Pueblo County Information Technology Team, Highberger set up interviews with key players for local projects that have put 1-A funds to good use.
The first stop on the tour of Greenhorn Valley projects was the newly renovated Volunteers for Community (VFC) Peaks to Prairie Community Center.
The media team first interviewed VFC founder and board President Susan Kalman, who elaborated on the projects that the VFC does for the good of the community and how the renovations to the center with 1-A funds have given the organization a “home base to work from that the community can be proud of.”
Kalman also spoke about how completion of the community center/trailhead in partnership with Colorado City Metropolitan District (CCMD), Pueblo County, and San Isabel Electric Association will expand the organization's outreach and program goals into the future. She told how 1-A funds have made a significant difference in accomplishing this project and helping to prepare for the trail projects VFC is working on.
Neil Elliot, Chairman of the CCMD Board of Directors, also serves on the VFC Board of Directors, and he shared the important relationship between Pueblo County, CCMD, and VFC as a means for a rural municipality to create outreach programs and facilities for recreation, education, and public meeting space. Elliot stressed the importance of bringing connectivity to our Colorado City residents through the creation of a trails system. This connectivity will bring the opportunity for kids to travel safely between home, jobs, and schools and trail users of all ages will discover new ways to enjoy the valley’s beauty.
Tom Corlett is a dynamic civic leader in Pueblo and Colorado City who serves on a number of boards and spends time advocating for community betterment. Tom has been a member of VFC for years and is an invaluable leader on the VFC team, creating with the remodel of the center an energy-efficient, cutting-edge environmentally designed building. Corlett shared his experiences in the value of Pueblo County 1-A funds, San Isabel Electric Association contributions to the building, and the partnership with CCMD.
Ricottone shared how he has worked with the VFC for years to help them obtain funds for the renovation of the community center and setting up a master plan for the trails they hope to connect throughout Colorado City. He has recently helped the VFC obtain $5000 towards a grant writer to help with their future projects.
Ricottone shared his thoughts on 1-A funds, “If this money was broken down and sent out to individual taxpayers, everyone might get enough money to have a McDonald's meal. By distributing the funds all Pueblo County is winning with big beneficial projects being completed.”
After completing interviews at the VFC community center, the media team traveled to Craver Middle School to observe part of the trail system that the VFC has a master plan to complete and connect areas of Colorado City.
The Greenhorn Valley tour finished up at Rye Mountain Park speaking with Town of Rye Mayor, Marty Rahl about the recently completed archery range and the nine-hole frisbee golf course that Pueblo County 1-A funds made possible.
The Information Team will be condensing the footage they filmed into a news clip that will be released to area television stations.
In 2016, Pueblo County voters approved Ballot Question 1A, which was the county’s request to keep an expected $66 million in tax revenues in exchange for building a specific list of projects
The measure passed 47,102 to 29,581.
There are 20 projects in the 1A Community Improvement Program - some large-scale and others smaller.
The 1-A money did not raise taxes on the voters. Instead, it allowed Pueblo to capture expiring tax incentives from Vestas Wind Towers, Black Hills Energy and Grupos Cementos de Chihuahua of America Inc. in the amount of approximately $66 million or until 2032, whichever happens sooner, to fund the projects.
The specific list of projects was chosen in collaboration with the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce and the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority, and presented to the community as part of the promotion to persuade voters’ support of the ballot issue.