On behalf of the City of Pueblo, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the kickoff of the 150th Birthday of the City of Pueblo. The City will be participating and supporting the Downtown Association in all of their planned activities.

Pueblo has a long and proud history. People came from all over the world to make the steel that built the American West in Pueblo’s Steel Mill. Our immigrant ancestors came to Pueblo, many only teenagers, leaving their homes, some with only the clothes on their backs, guided by only their belief that they could find a better life. I am sure they were fearful of the unknown future they faced but that fear did not stop them from pursuing their dreams.

As we finish the second decade of the 21st Century, 150 years after the City of Pueblo was incorporated, and we confront the uncertainties and challenges of our time, it is important for us to remember where we came from and it is important that we rekindle that immigrant spirit of our ancestors. A spirit that says that with hard work and perseverance, nothing is impossible or beyond our reach.

Celebrating the 150th year of our incorporation is the perfect time for us to reflect on where we have been and to look to the future and where we want to go.

While we are still planning many of the activities to commemorate this milestone, I want to share with you some of the activities that have already been planned for this year.

In mid-March, we are planning to host the National Collegiate Bicycle Criterium in downtown Pueblo. We expect that 200 college athletes will compete in a two-day competition and that there will be professional riders participating as well. On Sunday, March 15th, we will host the first Mayor’s bike ride of the year on the Criterium course around Union and Victoria Avenues.