A recap of Pueblo County home sales during 2024 indicates the year ended with a mixed bag of good news and bad news, according to statistics compiled by the Colorado Association of Realtors.
On the positive side, Pueblo County ended the year with 3,560 homes going on the market which was 2.8% higher than 2023. The median closing price of $314,000 was 2.9% higher than 2023.
On the negative side, the number of sold homes was 2,127, a total of 8.6% less than 2023. The median time homes stayed on the market was 91 days, a total of 7.1% longer than 2023.
The association also reported a notable increase of 29% in the inventory of homes in the $200,000 to $299,000 range which totaled 209 homes in 2024, compared with 162 homes in 2023, according to statistics supplied by Colorado Association of Realtors Spokesperson Cooper Thayer.
Thayer said looking ahead this year, Fannie Mae Economists predict the average mortgage rates will decline modestly but remain above 6%, with likely bouts of volatility.
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CSU Pueblo Foundation celebrates huge milestones
The Colorado State University Pueblo Foundation recently celebrated big news on a six-year fundraising campaign effort while celebrating its 70th anniversary and the start of the ThunderBowl Stadium Suite Expansion project.
The foundation launched it’s”Drive” fundraising campaign in 2019, hoping to raise $100 million by 2028 to ensure CSU Pueblo remains affordable and accessible. In March of 2022, the effort had already amassed over $95 million, so the campaign was rebranded to “OverDrive, a Campaign for CSU Pueblo” with a new goal of $135 million by 2028.
The foundation announced in January that OverDrive already has exceed that goal by raising $139 million. The CSU System provided $19 million in funding for the campaign, while private giving amounted to $51.5 million and CSU Pueblo secured $68.6 million in federal and state grants, according to a press release.
Among highlights of the campaign has been the award of $20 million in scholarships to 4,951 students, facility improvements and more.
Since the CSU Pueblo Foundation formed in 1954, it has amassed almost $70 million in assets and currently provides over $6 million annually in funding to CSU Pueblo for scholarships, capital projects, and academic programming, according to the press release.
The ThunderBowl Suite Expansion project includes the addition of seven new suites to the west side of the ThunderBowl football stadium. The $2.2 million project was designed by HGF Architects, Inc. of Pueblo, with H.W. Houston Construction of Pueblo serving as the general contractor.
All seven of the new spaces have already been leased.
Landlords to meet Tuesday
The Southern Colorado Residential Rental Association is set to meet for a class and lunch starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Pueblo Union Depot, 132 W. B St.
The class will focus on new regulations for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for rentals. Lunch speaker Eric Moore, chief inspector for the Housing Authority for the City of Pueblo, will talk about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors requirements for subsidized rentals.
Cost is $25 for the class and $25 for lunch for nonmembers. Members can attend the class free of charge and lunch is $18.
For reservations, leave a message or text 719-251-2257 or email scrra_mail@southerncoloradorentals.org.
El Pomar Foundation donates to Pueblo nonprofits
El Pomar Trustees announced recently the charitable organization has donated thousands of dollars to Pueblo nonprofit groups.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County received $10,000 for social and emotional well-being programs, while Court Appointed Special Advocates of Pueblo received $15,000 for general operating support. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pueblo was awarded $15,000 for Empowered Pathways for Youth program and Habitat for Humanity of Pueblo received $10,000 for general operating support.
In addition, Hope and Home of Colorado Springs received $10,000 for Pueblo programming.
Latino Chamber Dinner and Dance Celebration is Feb. 22
The Latino Chamber of Commerce is set to recognize outstanding community members and businesses during its 46th annual Dinner Dance Celebration at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St.
The Victor Navarro Outstanding Board Member of the Year award will go to Tracy Gutierrez, while the Gil Sanchez Outstanding Professional of the Year award will go to Nathan Cape.
The Lorraine Salas Outstanding Community Partner of the Year award will go to Catherine O’Grady, and the Outstanding Corporate Member of the Year recognition will go to Three Corners Connector.
The Gil Padilla Outstanding Ambassador of the Year award will go to Kenneday Garcia and the Outstanding Non-Profit Member of the Year will go to the Pueblo Zoo.
The Joseph Roybal Outstanding Small Business of the Year award will go to Property Craft. The event kicks off with cocktail hour followed by dinner and the program at 7 p.m. Live music and dancing will start at 9 p.m.
Event tickets are $110 per person and will include dinner, complimentary appetizers andsangria, plus there will be a cash bar available throughout the event. For tickets, go to business.pueblolatinochamber.com/events/.
Outdoor learning programs open for 2025-26 school year
Registration is underway for the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center’s children’s learning programs running throughout the 2025-26 school year.
The Earthkeeper Nature School, open to children ages 4-7, combines fresh air, open space and nature play, with a progressive early childhood curriculum. The Outdoor Explorations Program is open to kindergarten through eighth grade students and offers a dynamic homeschool nature-based enrichment program.
To register for the Earthkeeper Nature School program, go to hikeandlearn.org/education/earthkeeper-nature-school/. To register for the Outdoor Explorations program, go to hikeandlearn.org/education/outdoor-explorations-program/.
Pueblo County launches new online property tax payment platform
Pueblo County has launched MyPuebloCounty, a new digital platform that provides residents with a secure and convenient way to manage property tax payments online.
Residents can process their tax payments through a user-friendly web and mobile application. It allows property tax payments to be made in full or split into two installments, offering flexibility to meet the needs of all users.
“We’re committed to improving the services we provide to our residents, and offering MyPuebloCounty is a significant step toward enhancing convenience and accessibility,” said Kimberly Archuletta, Pueblo County treasurer.
Once logged in, residents can view their current bills and track payment history, eliminating the need for paper statements or in-person visits. Find out more at my.pueblocounty.gov.
