Pueblo Mayor vetoes ordinance designating historic landmark

(PUEBLO, Colo.) — On Wednesday, Sept. 11 Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham vetoed Ordinance No. 10778, designating the City Park Bath House as a local Historic Landmark citing funds already spent on public improvements of the location.

According to the City of Pueblo, on Monday, Sept. 9 the ordinance passed with a 4-3 vote.

Mayor Graham explained the ordinance disregarded a previous decision in May when the City Council approved a construction contract and budget to move forward with a new facility for which the city has been raising funds since 2011.

The Mayor also said the existing bath house has a failing foundation and dated accommodations.

“Even assuming the City can rehabilitate the bath house for a useful purpose, the City will then be required to provide utilities, maintenance, and repairs for two buildings instead of one,” according to the press release.

“My veto should not be construed to diminish the historic significance of the bath house,” said Mayor Graham. “Preservation of the building simply does not make fiscal sense.  At a time when City Council is justifiably concerned with the City’s revenues and expenditures, it is irresponsible to spend significant taxpayers’ dollars to preserve this building when construction of a second building is still necessary to meet the needs of the City.”

With the veto, the ordinance will be put before the City Council for reconsideration and the City of Pueblo said the ordinance will be up for vote on Monday, Sept. 23.

The ordinance will not have a public hearing and will require a 5-2 vote to be passed without further objection from Mayor Graham.

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