Mural artwork on the Pueblo ARTery in Downtown Pueblo.
“Even if you did not graduate from a Pueblo high school, you are welcomed into the community of alumni.”
Community, Creativity & Courage
Community
Pueblo is and always has been a city at the crossroads where people and ideas converge in a powerful display of creative genius. Since its earliest days, the citizens of Pueblo have brought to the fabric of the community a long tradition of exploration, discovery and self-expression --- turning ideas into action. The Arkansas River in Pueblo has served as the international boundary with France, Spain, Mexico, and the Republic of Texas, making it a true frontier region in the southwest where everyday is extraordinary.The region has been at the epicenter of opportunity in Colorado since the early 1840s when the early settlers built the El Pueblo Fort for trading and commerce. The steel industry driven by Colorado Fuel & Iron ushered in generations of workers from around the world who brought with them their own unique cultures and perspectives on humanity.
Creativity
Exploration, discovery and self-expression have been key drivers in the development of Pueblo since its earliest beginnings. History, culture and the arts have empowered individuals to share their stories of the good, the bad and the ugly. Humanity can get messy, but it is during these moments when one finds him or herself on the fringe or outside of one's comfort zone that light shines bright. A community that embraces and understands the power of light and creativity is more apt to be fluid and flexible in the process of problem solving. Change agents in the community welcome diversity and encourage participation and ownership from all stakeholders in the conversation.
Courage
NO is a hard YES and you have to hold down the grass really hard when you create a new pathway for others to follow. Change is hard. And when you add sustainability to the equation, 1 + 1 does not always equal 3. It takes failure and a lot of courage to make a difference for our children of the future. Pueblo's unique landscape is fostering the extension of the frontiers of opportunity. Communities must have a conversation about the complex issues of shelter, energy, waste, water and food when we talk about sustainability and the human race. This must start locally. Pueblo has the courage and the capacity to face the challenges before us today.