The Pueblo Creative Corridor

Here in Pueblo, we often pride ourselves on the green chili we offer and the interesting little gems that are scattered throughout this growing community. One of those interesting  gems are referred to as the Pueblo Creative Corridor.

Welcome to Pueblo Creative Corridor outside of the Pueblo Arts Alliance

A map of the Pueblo Creative Corridor. Pueblo Arts Alliance provides these maps for free that include events that are currently going.

The Pueblo Creative Corridor is described as being the three historic city centers of Pueblo, CO. These areas include Downtown Main St., Union Ave. Historic District, and the Mesa Junction. Each of these areas offer a unique visit for people from our community and around. Some of the popular places in each area are The Sangre de Cristo Art Center, which is a part of the Downtown Main St. area, the Historic Arkansas River Walk in the Union Ave. area, and the the Rawlings Library down in Mesa Junction. The Pueblo Creative Corridor is a Colorado certified creative district that is packed with museums, galleries, music, shops and much more.

The Pueblo Creative Corridor was put together by the Pueblo Arts Alliance, the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority and the City of Pueblo. According to a press release about the Creative Corridor, “they came together to attract artists, creative entrepreneurs and visitors as a strategy to infuse new energy and innovation and enhance the economic and civic capital of the community.” In March of 2012, Governor John Hickenlooper, announced that Pueblo was a prospective area of becoming a creative corridor. In October of 2012, the Pueblo Creative Corridor had their grand opening as one of Colorado’s certified creative districts.

The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk located in the Union Ave. district.

In the Union Ave. area, the Pueblo Arts Alliance is located at 107 S. Grand Ave. When speaking to Susan Fries, she greatly informed me on what the Pueblo Arts Alliance does for Pueblo’s Creative Corridor. “The Pueblo Creative Corridor is a non-profit organization that helps support the creative industry.” They help put on events in the community such as auditioned street performers to the downtown parades we see throughout the year. The Pueblo Arts Alliance also helps, “promoting and facilitating economic impact through the arts.” Fries stressed that the industry should be labeled as the creative industry because of the many different forms of art that is put into these areas; from ceramic makes to music performers.

Sculptures that are located on the Riverwalk.

The Union Ave. area is the biggest area of the three city centers. The Pueblo Arts Alliance is located in this area as well as the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority. One of the biggest attractions in this area would be the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk. Here you can find some beautiful sculptures that have been scattered around the riverwalk, many events that are put on throughout the year, and great music and food. Some delicious places to stop on the Riverwalk are Angelo’s Pizza Parlor, Brue’s Alehouse, and The Place. Around the Riverwalk you can also find some galleries and shops that are local to our area. Some shops in this area are, All Clay, John Deaux Gallery, Turf Exchange Gallery, Steel City Art Works, Hopscotch Bakery, Golden M Southwestern & Indian Art, and many more restaurants and antique stores.

Sister Cities located in the Downtown Main St. area.

Some attractions in the Downtown Main area are the Central Plaza Gathering place and the Pueblo ARTery Alleyway. This is an area that is great for people to perform their craft and to also walk the stretch of the ARTery Alleyway. The alleyway is over a half a mile and goes from the Kadoya Gallery to 5th and Main St. The Sangre de Cristo Art Center is also very popular in this area. Their mission is to create artistic learning for everyone, which is done very well with the art and education that is presented for all ages.

With Mesa Junction up the way from Union Ave., there are many different shops that are locally owned that offer greatness to Pueblo’s community. In Mesa Junction, you can find Latka Studios, Cup & Bowl Ceramic Art Studio/Gallery, Sculpture @222, Artisan Textile Company (ATC), Handsome Goods and Paper Company, and many more areas where you can eat and have an art educational experience. The Rawlings Library is also right in the middle of this area and offers many events that cater to needs of all ages. In the Mesa Junction area, you can find paintings and sculptures scattered throughout the area.

Sister Cities Fountain that people go and enjoy and play in during the summer season.

When talking with Fries early on, I understood why she said the creative industry, but after really researching and taking pictures, I had a  much stronger understanding of why it is a creative industry rather than an art, music, or photography industry. There is so much creativity from making your own burger from all local products at Bingo Burger, to crafting the world’s only solar commercial coffee roaster at Solar Roast.

This area is a great place for many artists to create their craft and to also bring support to our community. If you want to enjoy the fullness of the Pueblo Creative Corridor, I do not believe that can be done in one day. It is worth taking your time to soak up all of the greatness that is being offered from all of the time these artists spent to bring it to our community.

Headwaters Fountain located by the Central Plaza Gathering Place.

Beginning of ARTery Alleyway by the Kadoya Gallery and Central Plaza.

Central Plaza Gathering Place where auditioned performers show off their crafts.

Golden M. Southwestern & Indian Art located in the Union Ave. district

El Pueblo Museum sign located by the Headwaters Fountain.

Artwork located in Pueblo Arts Alliance.

Painting hung up on the side of the Pueblo Arts Alliance.

Neon Alley located in the Union Ave. district.

An old telephone booth located by Neon Alley.

A painting in Mesa Junction across from the Rawling Library.

Guns, Guns, Guns Everywhere

Iron Horse Bar on Main and 8th St. where Devon Clark was shot in late February 2016.

With the recent tragedy that struck in Orlando this past Sunday morning, it has me thinking about how common these tragedies happen not only across the United States, but also in our own neighborhoods in Pueblo, CO. According to The New York Times, Pueblo was not given a very good title.

“Pueblo had 13 homicides in 2014 and another 13 in 2015, giving the city the unfortunate distinction of having the highest per-capita murder rate in the state. At 12 murders per 100,000 people, its homicide incidence is three times that of New York City, and twice that of Brooklyn, New York’s deadliest borough.”

Intersection of Court and 2nd St. where Isaiah Vialpando was shot in a drive by shooting.

With these numbers, people are blaming our law enforcement. Budgets have been cut and police have had to cut their force down. In the article, “Why Pueblo has the Highest per-capita Homicide Rate in Colorado published by the Denver Post, police employment was discussed pretty heavily.

“‘Part of our problem in Pueblo has been (that) our staffing levels are too low,’ said Police Chief Luis Velez. ‘Just like the gang problem is not new in Pueblo, understaffing is not a new problem either. However, when you have a dramatic increase in calls for service and your position of staffing is the lowest that you have been at in quite a while, that gap causes enormous problems.'”

Intersection of Routt and Logan where Ricky Muniz was shot at his home for trying to stop vandalization.

Some recent events that have been popular in our news when it comes to gun violence are; Devon Clark, 26, who was shot outside of The Iron Horse Bar at the end of February, Isaiah Vialpando, 20, who was shot in a drive by downtown on September 2, 2015, and Ricky Muniz, 32, who was shot behind his home trying to stop a gang member from vandalizing the home on September 14, 2015. All though these are only a few incidents, they were all senseless actions that should have not happened just like any of the other problems that have occurred not only here, but also around the United States.

With these incidents happening here in Pueblo, here is Colorado’s current gun laws:

Title 18:  Colorado allows a person to carry a firearm in a vehicle if its use is for lawful protection of such person or another’s person or property. [C.R.S. 18-12-105(2)] Colorado law also allows a person to possess a handgun in a dwelling, place of business, or automobile. However, when you carry the weapon into your home, business, hotel room, etc. it must be in plain view. Local jurisdictions may not enact laws that restrict a person’s ability to travel with a weapon. [C.R.S. 18-12-105.6] The Act permits the nationwide carrying of concealed handguns by qualified current and retired law enforcement officers and amends the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Pub. L. 90-618, 82 Stat. 1213) to exempt qualified current and retired law enforcement officers from state and local laws prohibiting the carry of concealed firearms.

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/csp/colorado-gun-laws

http://www.pueblosheriff.com/psn/index.html

Pueblo Police are understaffed due to budget cuts these past two years.

Gun control has been a topic that is very back and forth between everyone from lawmakers to citizens. In 2013, Colorado democrats passed laws that a universe background check must be used for every gun sale and there be a cap on magazines of no more than 15 rounds. Republicans have since tried to repeal the laws and people are not sure how they feel about this and also the laws that have already put into place. According to the Denver Post,

“Rep. Rhonda Fields, a Democrat from Aurora, is one of the legislature’s staunchest anti-violence advocates, and she said she can think of little that could pass the Democratically controlled House and have any chance is the Republican-led Senate.

‘I don’t know any bills, but after what has happened at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs and in California, I think we absolutely need to be doing more, but what that is, I don’t know,’she said”

Where do we go from here? People are very firm on this heated topic and it is hard to get a state, let alone a nation on the same page with what we should do about gun control. Some feel that  we should be able to have the right own guns and that they should not be penalized because of the actions that have occurred in our country and others are for getting rid of them due to what has happened.

 

You Might Lose Your Leg…

The intersection where cops were swarming around during this incident.

When someone has an argument with you, your first thought isn’t normally (well in most cases) not to run them over with a car. Even though most people would not take this route, in some cases, it does happen. Early on Sunday morning, June 5, 2016, a Pueblo man, Michael Solano, was ran over by his boyfriend, Michael Montoya. This took place on 7th St. and Main St. Cops were called early in the morning over the ruckus that was caused.

 

A view of 7th St. and Main St. where people witnessed Solano and Montoya having their altercation.

I can understand that people can be heated over certain situations, but
Montoya not only ran over his boyfriend, but he also caused Solano to have part of his leg amputated. He was then taken up to a Denver hospital to receive further treatment.

Most of the younger generation finds out their news on social media. This is where I decided to do more digging on what had happened. People on my news feed were tagging Solano in their posts wishing him well. I had clicked on his Facebook page and eventually was led to Montoya’s page. He was very public about what had happened and claimed that he was treated very poorly and was making statements that ultimately said he would end his life. Although this was posted, Montoya was taken into custody with a warrant out for his arrest. He is currently being charged with domestic violence.

 

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office where Montoya was taken into custody.

 

 

What’s up with the Water?

Lake Pueblo full of water.

Pueblo has been through a lot when it comes to water, but where do we measure up now? In May 2015, our water storage was on the rise with all of the rain we had been receiving. This
year is a little different. Our water supply is still above average (not nearly as much as compared to last year), but where are we storing this water? Water storage has not only affected Pueblo, but also our surrounding cities for a decent amount of years.

In the early 2000s, Pueblo had been put on drought watch and laws were put in place on how much watering you could do, if any, throughout the day. In the prior years, Mother Nature had given us so much water that the Arkansas River basin had storage to meet up to 20 years of Pueblo’s needs. Once the drought happened, there was a lot recovering that needed to be done.

One of the few water towers here in Pueblo

With our strict water rights, some of our dams have been put on a safety watch because the upkeep is too difficult and very expensive. There are also insufficient water restrictions that are for preserving wildlife and birds. Also, overtime reservoirs begin to lose their storage from sediment happening. This occurred at Lake Pueblo this last year because of the silt that had settled in the lake beds.

Lake Minnequa was made into a city park, but needed to be tapped into during the drought.

With all of this happening, Pueblo does have plans to excavate new dams and expand the storage of some of our current water storages, such as, Clear Creek reservoir south of Leadville. The planning takes a decent amount of time and money, so it may be a while before we see new projects happening. Even though this is the case, people are worried that the extra storage would take up more water for agriculture to fuel urban growth. This presents a community divided on what to do with our water and where it goes.

Fountain Creek in Pueblo, where surrounding areas are looking to build dams around.

 

 

A Jack of All Trades

When it comes to Pueblo, this community is filled with a plethora of people that make our somewhat little town a gem in spite of the reputation we have received from around the country. One of those little gems that shines through is simply known as a jack of all trades. Renae Maese, 33, is a local native to Pueblo, CO. Maese

Renae Maese enjoying her “mompreneur” lifestyle.

enjoys a little bit of everything life has to offer to her. She runs her own business, Pandamonium Handmade, where she sells crocheted pieces. Maese makes anything from hats to baby diaper covers for her clients. She has also donated hats to premies at St. Mary Corwin Hospital here in Pueblo, CO. She mainly runs off of requests, but attends multiple craft shows that she prepares for. During this time, she adds her love for paper cutting into the mix. Maese also runs her own card class a couple of times a month. The card class consists of her showing her guests how to work her stamp cutter, the Sizzix Big Shot, to coloring the images. Maese also went to Toni and Guy in Colorado Springs, CO. in 2004 for cosmetology. She now has her own hair and nail salon that she is in the process of moving to a new location. Maese began a love for crafting at a very early age watching her parents create projects that were done around their home. Her father, Ed Maese, enjoys building different pieces from book shelves to toddler gates. Her mother, Donna Maese, showed Maese her love for crocheting. Maese also discussed her love for crafting and enjoying her creative outlet. She also enjoys finding ways to make money to support her “mompreneur” lifestyle.

Pandemonium Handmade stamp created for Maese’s business.

Even though Maese focuses on being a “mompreneur”, she is an office manager and preparesreal estate appraisals. When asked why she does what she does, she simply stated, “It is nearly impossible for me to not be busy. I love turning my creative work into a lifestyle that can bring an income into our home. Eventually, I will focus on one area to put all of my efforts in, but until then I am enjoying my hobbies.” Local business is what makes our city of Pueblo a unique place to be. Although Pueblo has received a bad reputation, we are full of people that want to inspire others that it is possible to make our dreams come true and striving for the American dream.

Craft items from Maese’s craft room.

Cards that were previously made from Maese’s card class.

The Sizzex Big Shot

A portion of Maese’s craft room.