Eight state department representatives joined Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and is launching his statewide series of listening session, with his first at the Rawlings Public Library in Pueblo on Saturday.

“Just as I kicked off my campaign here, we also wanted to kick off our listening tour in Pueblo as well,” he said.

Guests were invited to present ideas to improve the area at eight discussion tables representing major issues: health care, criminal justice, agriculture, labor, mental health, economic development, housing and education.

“It was great to get a sense in each area of how the state can be a better partner for Pueblo in creating jobs, reducing health care costs, improving our schools and really getting that feedback from people who work in these different areas in our community is really helpful for us,” Polis said.

Representatives included Insurance Commissioner Mike Conway, Tom Massey of Health Care Policy and Financing, Prisons Director Travis Trani, Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenburg, Labor and Employment Executive Director Joe Barela, Human Services Executive Director Michelle Barnes, Natriece Bryant of Local Affairs, and Education Chief of Staff Ben Boggs.

Pueblo community leaders had the opportunity to participate in three of the discussion tables before department representatives presented key points in the discussions to the entire room.

At each table, community leaders were asked what they would want Pueblo to be known for if it was on the cover of Time Magazine in 2030; what Pueblo needed to improve; and what Pueblo is already doing well.

“It’s really making sure that our cabinet members that were here continue to operationalize and learn from everything we heard from here today to make sure that we’re helping Pueblo achieve the goals that we share,” Polis said.

Much of the agriculture discussion was centered around the Colorado State Fair. Greenburg said Pueblo's visionaries want to work on advancing renewable energy technology at the State Fair while continuing to showcase local agriculture. Challenges discussed also included funding and capital improvements for the longtime festival.

Discussions on housing, labor, economic development and education addressed the challenges of making it affordable for young workers to stay in the area once they graduate.

“I think the Time Magazine cover would be ‘Pueblo keeps young skilled in place,” Barela, leader of the discussion on labor said. “We’re able to train, educate and keep workers with the industries we have in Pueblo.”

Mental Health and Criminal Justice discussions addressed expansion of mental health services and the need for substance abuse treatment programs in the midst of an opioid crisis. Despite the challenges at hand, Barnes, leader of the mental health and substance abuse discussion, said community pride is one of Pueblo’s strengths.

“You guys are proud — and that kept coming out,” Barnes said. “Everything comes back to community pride and supporting each other, so I’m very impressed.”

jbartolo@chieftain.com

Twitter:@jamesbartolo6