What would it take...

... to make Pueblo the best place in Colorado to live for working families?

If you're like me, you know we have something special here in Pueblo. We boast a history of one of the most culturally diverse cities in the state, situated at the crossroads of historic railway lines and two major rivers. We are nurturing a manufacturing base with a strong Union presence. We are home to one of the biggest reserviors in the sate with easy access to Cañon City and the Wet Mountains to the west. We have beautiful parks, an enchanting Riverwalk area downtown, and a network of scenic trails following the Arkansas River all the way from the Reservior to the heart of the City. We boast beautiful neighborhoods, historic buildings and room to grow.

But anyone that lives in Pueblo long quickly realizes that we have our fair share of challenges. Our average incomes, home prices and graduation rates are all well below state averages. The beauty of our wealthier neighborhoods and Riverwalk businesses are a stark contrast to the prevalence of condemned houses and empty storefronts. For too many of our working families, stable housing, consistent nutrition, access to health care, and reliable transportation are rarely things that can all be enjoyed at the same time. The average wage is $30k short of what is considered a living wage for a family with two children.

What would it really take to change that? How do we get housing inventory to match the need? How do we develp first-class schools, a vibrant downtown, and safe neighborhoods?

I believe that society is a team sport, we are the players, and politics is process by which we write the rules. If we want to build a healthy society, we need those rules to be smart, fair, and strategic. Pueblo Forward is where I will discuss everything I'm learning about how that process works in Pueblo, how it could work, and what we can do as voters to make it better. I hope you'll join me for that journey.