GUEST COLUMN
Fountain Creek is the waterway that flows, bubbles, surges and provides wildlife habitation from its headwaters in Woodland Park through Pueblo’s East side, which meets the Arkansas River in Pueblo—this meeting is called a confluence. In the last 15 years, the Fountain Creek Watershed District has been restoring the creek’s natural beauty, managing flows as well as water quality from upstream and providing recreational opportunities for citizens.
Over $30 million have been spent in creek restoration projects, over 150,000 tons of trash has been removed and thousands of citizens have learned about the Creek and become Watershed Warriors. Great strides have been made, but there is much more to be done.
A Watershed District Committee was established to prioritize and wisely use $50 million from Colorado Springs Utilities, as part of the Southern Delivery System’s 1041 Permit. Per the permit, those funds are to be used “for one or more new projects” in the Fountain Creek Watershed between Colorado Springs and the Arkansas River confluence in Pueblo “that create a significant and not merely incidental benefit to Fountain Creek within Pueblo County.”
The FCWD celebrated the tenth anniversary of “Creek Week” in October. This is Colorado’s largest cleanup effort. Over 4,000 people from 10 communities participated, spanning from Palmer Lake to Pueblo.
The 2024 Creek Week event is Sept. 28 to Oct. 6, and everyone is welcome to participate.
The District secured Great Outdoors Colorado grant funds in partnership with the Mile High Youth Corps. A crew of over 20 individuals, aged 18-24 years, worked in the heat along Fountain Creek in Pueblo at Confluence Park.
Board of Directors: Gregory Howell, Kennedy Pugh, Chantal Woodyard, Leslie Nazario
Advisory Board: Nicki Hart, Susan Wolf, Caroline Trani, Jayson Peters
Managing Editor: Rory Harbert Staff Reporter: Nico Grayson
Contributors: Gregory Howell, Chris Flynn, Cat O’Grady, Kiera Hatton, Susan Finzel, Rachel Kutskill, Gary Markstein, Jocelyn Martinez, Bree Anne Pappan, Amy Gillentine Sweet, Brian Estrada, Betty Brown-Simm, Rory Harbert, Pueblo Zoo
Special thanks to: Family Care Specialists, Al “Pama” Maisel, Blo Back Gallery, Creative Consortium of Pueblo, CSU Extension Office, CSU Pueblo, Karmic Konnection, Lil Crafters Cottage, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center, Photography by Lyss, Pueblo City-County Library District, Pueblo County Historical Society, Pueblo County Master Gardeners, Pueblo Downtown Association, Pueblo Puzzleworks, Pueblo School District 70, Pueblo Zoo, Rocky Mountain Realty, SBDC, Sure-Lock Locksmith, Tuxedo Ranch.
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Their focus was to remove Tamarisk, Russian Olive and Elm saplings—all invasive, non-native tree species. This will allow natives like willow and cottonwood to spread and thrive and the effort supports biodiversity of many wildlife species.
The MHYC crew also rebuilt a washed-out retention wall of boulders on the Creek at 13th Street in Pueblo, to reduce erosion and direct high flows.
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Confluence Park, managed and maintained by Pueblo County Parks and Recreation Department, has seen many improvements over the past three years.
The parking lot boasts a welcoming archway and sees lots of traffic from bicyclists, walkers, joggers and pet owners looking for access to the creekside concrete trail.
The District’s MMF funds supported a drainage improvement project on and adjacent to the Fountain Creek.
New picnic pavilions and tables were constructed in December, with new trash receptacles and a pet waste bag dispenser will be installed this month, complete with bilingual signage.
Through grant funding from Xcel Energy Foundation and separate funds from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Resources Division and the EPA, public education and outreach have increased in Pueblo County.
Hundreds of students have learned about watershed geography, creek macroinvertebrates and seen presentations on nonpoint source pollution prevention.
The FCWD led a dedicated group of government staff, elected officials and water activists on a “Ride the Watershed” bike tour through Pueblo. Guest speakers along the route met riders to explain past engineering projects, discuss current issues and build stronger partnerships.
The FCWD hosts Colorado’s only Brewshed Alliance, a group of over 25 craft breweries from Monument to Pueblo who support clean water initiatives by participating in and hosting events and fundraisers as well as elevating the District’s work.
The group’s motto is “Clean Water = Great Beer.” Alli Schuch, executive director of the Fountain Creek Watershed District said that beer is a touchstone for reaching out to Coloradoans.
”Beer culture is a big part of Colorado,” Schuch said. “Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, we are all impacting the land and the waters just by living here, playing here and working here. Working with our local breweries is a great fit for us, and we invite you to raise a glass to clean water by visiting any of our member breweries.”
One of the most popular events that Alliance members host are the monthly, free “Liquid Lectures.”
The next Liquid Lectures will be held on July 18 at Shamrock Brewing in Pueblo, and also at Peaks N Pines Brewing in Colorado Springs.
Participants receive $1 off pint draft beers during the event.
The Brewshed members co-brewed an ‘Impactful IPA’ last year in honor of the 10th Annual Creek Week.
This year’s collaborative brew, ‘Flower Eater,’ is a honey lavender pale ale at select members’ breweries. One dollar from every pint sold will be donated to FCWD to promote and fund clean water initiatives.
The shining gem identified those years ago is transforming into a crown jewel more and more every year through the dedicated, consistent efforts and actions of the Fountain Creek Watershed District Board of Directors, committees, staff and citizen volunteers that care about the environment, collaborative planning and partnerships.
We invite you to join us for an event, follow us on social media, and join our monthly e-newsletter list. Follow our Facebook page, Fountain Creek Watershed District or visit our website at fountain-crk.org.
Susan Finzel is the Pueblo Area outreach coordinator for the Fountain Creek Watershed District.
By Amy Gillentine Sweet
Each month, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Pueblo will feature a veteran and their military experience — and how they continue to serve after transitioning from the military.
Finding a new job can be tough. Finding a new job after a military career—which doesn’t involve networking, creating resumés or interviewing—can seem even more daunting.
For military spouses, job hunting can lead to being underemployed or not employed at all, depending on the duty station.
But in Pueblo, there’s a resource for transitioning members of the military, for their spouses and adult children and for veterans of all stripes. Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center provides job support and assistance for Pueblo veterans from its office at St. Mary Corwin and from its headquarters in nearby Colorado Springs.
Jon Dix, director of transition and employment for the nonprofit, said the help comes in three program areas, which expanded to Pueblo three years ago.
The Mt. Carmel Pueblo team focuses on integration programs for active duty, reserve and National Guard members. That support helps find new careers, focus on resume development and sharpening those networking and interviewing skills. There’s also a veterans-to-career program for those who have been out for more than two years, and a program specifically geared toward military spouses.
“Our goal is to provide access to resources and classes for those who served in the military, their spouses and their adult children, ages 18-26,” Dix said. “We have several programs, classes and events designed to make the job search easier.”
Mt. Carmel helps veterans transition from military careers to new industries
Dix is currently getting re-certified to teach a class about how to build federal resumes—a process that is quite a bit different than civilian jobs. Federal resumes are longer, more detailed and go back at least 15 years, pending the breadth of job history.
In addition, Mt. Carmel hosts a LinkedIn class, taught by an employee of the business social media platform. The class helps participants create the right social media page when prospective employers seek additional information for candidates.
Mt. Carmel hosts four hiring events a year at its headquarters in Colorado Springs. Up to 30 companies participate, and all are military-friendly employers.
In addition, all participants are added to a distribution list that includes companies that have contacted Mt. Carmel about open positions.
“We send it out to everyone, but it includes positions along the Front Range,” Dix said. “It’s up to the individual to determine if they want to apply for a job that’s in Colorado Springs or Denver.”
Tailor your resume. Make sure your resume is tailored to the specific job and job description. Use AI tools available to check if your resume is clearly representing you as an ideal candidate for the position you are interested in. Update your resume accordingly.
• Put in the effort. Do not use AI to create your resume. It’s obvious, and recruiters will know that a machine wrote the document—and won’t respond.
• Network within your industry. About 75 percent of jobs are never posted; they’re filled through current networks. Let people know you are looking for work, and they can help when they hear of new or open positions that might not make Indeed.
• Practice makes perfect. Mt. Carmel offers interview classes that include mock interviews from local companies. They follow up by real networking advice and events. Get comfortable with interviews and with putting your best foot forward.
• Finding work—no matter what your skill set—can take time. But putting in effort to learn from skilled trainers at Mt. Carmel can make it easier for Pueblo’s veterans and family members.
• And here are some other events and opportunities for service members, veterans and their families:
• Every Monday, Pueblo veterans can meet with Next Chapter at the American Legion.
• Every first Wednesday, the Colorado DMV has an office at Mt. Carmel in Pueblo.
• Every first Wednesday, the community gathers to provide resources through Helping Hands in the St. Mary Corwin parking lot.
• Every Saturday, Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center hosts an Arts Expression program.
• Monday through Thursday, massage therapy is available at Intellitec College by appointment.
• Mt. Carmel offers weekly acupuncture by appointment.
• Rejeuveits Infrared Sauna is held weekly by appointment.
• The first Tuesday of every month, Mt. Carmel hosts military education 101.
Check out our Transition and Employment page on our website: veterans center.org. Explore the site or call our office at (719) 309-4719.
The journey to 100% containment: safely responding to wildland fire nearly 1,000 times size of football field
By Rory Harbert
On June 22, a single downed tree caught fire just northwest of Beulah, as reported by Beulah Fire Protection.
By the turn of the month, the Oak Ridge Fire grew to nearly 1,200 acres with no containment.
In the days since, due to the efforts of hundreds of firefighters and support personnel, the fire has seen immense progress. As of July 10, with the fire reaching 1,310 acres, the Oak Ridge Fire has reached 76% containment. Major evacuation and pre-evacuation orders have been dropped. The number of personnel working on the incident has reduced over 25% as local organizations retake control of the containment project from outside management teams that handle complex wildfires.
Wildfires are a tense, impressive example of project management.
Records show there has not been a fire inside or outside the current perimeter of the Oak Ridge Fire for over 100 years, creating dense overgrowth. This fire was considered an inevitability because of this. While the crews were working to put out the fire at the fire’s edge, other crews were working to clear out fuel in these old burn scars.
The wildland firefighting team focuses on creating two types of fire lines: direct (along the fire’s edge) and indirect (away from it).
For the Oak Ridge Fire, firefighters worked to prevent the fire from making its way to Beulah, by setting up lines of fire hoses and sprinkler systems along these fire lines. In addition, contingency fire lines are constructed in the unlikely event that the fire jumps the first line.
The natural environment of a forest fire can pose dilemmas to firefighters reaching the fire’s edge by foot or by air. An indirect fire line is constructed where the fire was determined to be inaccessible or too dangerous to engage with. Rocky, steep terrain can make it impossible for firefighters to reach the fire safely, and indirect lines must be placed.
As Oak Ridge’s elevation is nearly 7,700 ft., the responders utilized many indirect lines by using natural outcroppings or roads, which are scouted out by fire managers, to better control the fire with an emphasis on firefighter safety.
Additionally, weather conditions can make it difficult for aircrafts to bring in water, drop retardant or provide emergency rescue for firefighters.
As the responders come upon structures at risk of being damaged by the fire, they implement measures to protect them by removing overbrush, providing more sprinkler systems and wrapping structures with protective material.
The response teams for the Oak Ridge Fire have utilized strategic firing to contain this wildfire.
Strategic firing is a method of igniting typically a gap between two containment lines. These gaps can be difficult to access and therefore difficult to control. Bringing the fire to a well-placed fire line can ensure the success of the overall mission whereas the gap, unburned, could re-intensify the fire with its excess of fuel.
For example, columns of smoke may not mean a wildfire is necessarily spreading but can be previously unburned fuel within the perimeter finally being reached by the fire.
Burning out areas between containment lines is a result of an assessment of risk, safety and progress gains, allowing firefighters to safely set up containment lines that are stronger.
For nearly a month, fire managers and their crews have worked out strategies to put out the Oak Ridge Fire from their base camp near the Beulah School. From clearing out overbrush to laying down hose, the firefighters work from the ground while helicopters deliver water and drop retardant from above to put out the 1,310-acre forest fire.
courtesy of the official Oak Ridge Fire 2024 Facebook page.
On July 2, recognized as National Wildland Firefighter Day, 690 personnel fought to contain the Oak Ridge Fire, three miles northwest of Beulah. On the morning of the eighth day of the fire burning, the team was facing a nearly 1,200-acre wildfire with only 5% containment. The holiday coincides with a week of remembrance honoring the wildland firefighters who died while working to protect the wildlands and surrounding communities. The week of remembrance’s slogan is “may we never stop learning,” a phrase aimed to promote reflection on fire safety on and off the ground. This dedication to learning is a means to honor those who have fallen, to strengthen fire safety practices.
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Kutskill
The dog days of summer are upon us.
Most have heard this expression before and assume a vague understanding and correlation to the hottest days of the year. The third week of July is when the air temperature is indeed at it's warmest in the northern hemisphere, and lasts for roughly sixty days henceforth.
When looking for information on where this expression came from, I was delighted to find many cultural and historical writings based around the origin. One of the more documented instances is from the ancient Egyptian calendar, and their new year which was celebrated on July 19th. On this day, the brightest star in the sky Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, makes it's appearance just before the rising of the sun, after a 70 day absence. Historically, this celebration also marked the annual flooding of the Nile River, causing destruction, but also bringing new soil and new life to the area as well. Cultures around the northern hemisphere watched with expectation for the Dog Star to reappear, signifying a time of lethargy, weakness in the immune system and general health, drought, sudden thunderstorms, fever, mad dogs, bad luck, and of course, sweltering heat. As the Dog Star appeared, the dog days of summer officially began.
In Greek and Roman mythology, Sirius is the god and personification of the star and depicted as being responsible for bringing the hot weather of summer. After all, Sirius comes from a Greek word that means "glowing" or "scorching". When we look up into the heavens, the Dog Star shines magnificently down on us and can be quite easy to find. This natural blue star shines 25 times more brightly than our sun, and its mass is roughly twice the size. At 8.6 light years away, it seems impossible to our minds that something so far, could shine so bright. An ever present reminder of how shining our own light out into the community, may travel farther than we could ever imagine.
In Pueblo, we are well aware of the heat wave embarking upon us this month, yet I am grateful we do not expect the same demise cultures before begrudgingly prepared for. Th
In Pueblo, we are well aware of the heat wave embarking upon us this month, yet I am grateful we do not expect the same demise cultures before us begrudgingly prepared for. The days do get hot in our arid, desert climate, yet the dryness of the air allows for some reprieve, unlike some of our humid, neighboring states. We can sit in shaded areas enjoying afternoon beverages with friends, especially if a cool breeze happens to be gently rolling by. The evenings almost always provide relief from the summer sun, as our temperatures dip back into the 60s and the 70s, sometimes even warranting a long sleeve shirt or light jacket. My time living in Pueblo, I have noticed that evening events are very enjoyable and summer events outside provide comfortable temperatures to meet up with friends and family for a variety of activities.
Pueblo has a packed schedule all summer long, boasting some of the most anticipated events of the year. The annual Chile y Frijoles festival, the Colorado State Fair, the Hip-Hop Festival, music and movies at the river walk, rooftop events, numerous farmers markets in town and the extended hours of our farms in the county. There is always something on the agenda if you want to spend time outside enjoying over 258 days of sunshine per year.
The cool mornings also provide time to get out on the golf courses, or walk the trails of the reservoir, enjoying the magnificent sunrises and early song birds starting their day The waterways are always there, beckoning us to their shores and banks, and now, with the river levels going back down, the play parks will be safer for tubing and body boarding adventures, for all levels.
As the new month emerges, with a beauty and different feel than the previous month, I am constantly anticipating the wonders that appear during the different seasons. As we look for Sirius in the night sky, let's relish in the fact that we live in a community where Mother Nature has always provided sustenance to not only sustain life here, but to really thrive. We
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Portraits of Nature: Myriads of Gods exhibition
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through Jan. 11
Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, 210 N. Santa Fe Ave.
Info: sdc-arts.org
The id @ The Ethos Second Thursdays, The Ethos, 615 E. Mesa Ave.
Info: ethospueblo.com
War Memorial Ghost Tours
7-9 p.m. first Saturdays, Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, 31001 Magnuson Ave. Info: pwam.org
JULY 12-21, 701 COURT ST. INFO: PUEBLOCOUNTYFAIR.COM
Pueblo Rocks in the Park Noon-2 p.m. Fridays, Ray Aguilera Park, 840 W. Northern Ave.
Books in the Park
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays through July 23, Langoni Sports Complex, 1600 W. 24th St.
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday through July 26, Lake Minnequa Park and Open Space, 1801 W. Pueblo Blvd.
Info: pueblolibrary.org
Chaos Games & More
4065 Club Manor Drive
Info: chaosgamesandmore.com
Pokemon, Dungeons & Dragons,
Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer 40K, board game nights and more. Weekly game schedule available on website.
Game Knight Games
1839 S. Pueblo Blvd.
Info: gameknightgamesllc.com
Pokemon, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Keyforge, My Hero Academia, board game league and more. Weekly game schedule available on website.
Festival Fridays
6 p.m. onwards July 12 (Carlos and the Boys), 19 (Latin Sol) and 26 (The Martini Shot), Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, 210 N. Santa Fe Ave.
Info: sdc-arts.org
Free concerts
6:30-7:30 p.m. July 14, 21 and 28, Pueblo Community College, 900 W. Orman Ave.
Third Eye Carnival
7 p.m. July 5, 1:30 p.m. July 6, Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St.
Info: blobackgallery.com
11th annual Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival
5-10 p.m. July 19-20, Blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St.
Info: blobackgallery.com/calendar
Line Dancing
EZ 4 p.m., Country/Classic 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Eagleridge Event Center, 805 Eagleridge Blvd., Suite 170
Info: facebook.com/PuebloDanceCompany
Cocktail Hour with Live Music
7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Analogue Bar, 222 N. Main St.
Info: facebook.com/AnalogueSolar
Open Mic at Blue Cactus
6-9 p.m. Thursdays, El Nopal’s Blue Cactus Room, 1435 E. Evans Ave.
Info: 719-564-9784
First Thursday Open Mic Night
6:30-9 p.m. first Thursdays, The Ethos, 615 E. Mesa Ave.
Info: ethospueblo.com
Live Music Fridays
7-9 p.m. Fridays, Analogue Bar, 222 N. Main St.
Karaoke Night at The Fallout with KJ Mikey D.
9-11:30 p.m. Fridays, 1227 S. Prairie Ave. Info: facebook.com/PuebloFallout
Alt Night at Analogue
7-9 p.m. last Saturdays at Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St.
Karaoke
Second Saturdays and third Thursdays, The Ethos, 615 E. Mesa Ave.
Info: ethospueblo.com
Essentrics fitness classes
10-11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Pueblo City Park George L. Williams Pavilion, 801 Goodnight Ave.
Info: 719-470-3017, essentricswithkatiefarmer@ gmail.com, essentricswithkatiefarmer.com
Seniors: Riverwalk Walking Group
Meets 10 a.m. Mondays in front of Senior Resource Development Agency (SRDA), 230 N. Union Ave.
Info: 719-553-3446 or richmond@srda.org
Yoga: Hun Yuan Qi Gong
10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Anahata Healing Yoga Studio, 3942 Ivywood Lane
$5/class; Wednesdays and Thursdays on Zoom (no charge); Sundays at City Park Ballroom, George L. Williams Pavilion, 801 Goodnight Ave.
Yoga and Cocktail Night
5:30 p.m. second Tuesdays Ren Yoga Flow, 110 W. Fifth St. Analogue Books & Records, 216 N. Main St. Info: renyogaflow.com
Vibration meditation
6-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Ren Yoga Flow, 110 W. Fifth St. Info: renyogaflow.com
Wellbriety Support Meeting
9-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Center for Inner Peace, 740 W. 15th St. Info: 719-543-2274
Prenatal Workshop and Support Group
6-7 p.m. last Wednesday of each month, Phoenix Massage, 105 W. Fifth St. Info: socodoulaco@gmail.com
Inner Alchemy
6-7 p.m. Thursdays, Ren Yoga Flow, 110 W. Fifth St. Info: renyogaflow.com
Ladies Night Out Self-Defense Training
6-8 p.m. first Fridays, Rocky Mountain Empowerment Center, 330 Lake Ave. Info: $39. 800-748-2074
Mom Group hosted by SoCo Doula Collective 9:30-11:15 a.m. last Fridays at Sweet Ella’s Bakery, 110 S. Union Ave.
Full Circle Healing
10-11 a.m. last Sundays, Wild Child Yoga, 281 S. Joe Martinez Blvd., Pueblo West Info: 719-289-8677
Interfaith meditation and service
10-11:30 a.m. Sundays, Center for Inner Peace, 740 W. 15th St. Info: 719-543-2274
64th annual Pueblo Summer Musical: ‘Seussical The Musical’
2 p.m. matinee July 13-14, 7 p.m. July 15-18, Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, 210 N. Santa Fe Ave. Info: sdc-arts.org
July 19 - Friday
Cody Cozz performs
7 p.m. July 19, Brue’s Alehouse, 120 Riverwalk Place
July 20 - Saturday
Pueblo Zoo Dollar Day
9 a.m.-1 p.m., Pueblo Zoo, 3455 Nuckolls Ave. Info: pueblozoo.org
Summer mocktail class
2-3:30 p.m., The Ethos, 615 E. Mesa Ave. Info: ethospueblo.com
July 21 - Sunday
SlimeFest horror film festival
1 p.m. July 21, Nerd Emporium, 520 W. 13th St.
July 26 - Friday
Pints for PAWS
5-9 p.m. July 26, Union Depot, 132 W. B St. Info: pawspueblo.org
July 27 - Saturday
Magic: The Gathering ‘Bloomburrow’ Prerelease event
11 a.m. July 27, Chaos Games & More, 4065 Club Manor Drive Info: chaosgamesandmore.com
Workshop: Akashic Records to SuperPowers
2-4 p.m. July 27, Karmic Konnection basement level, 125 E. Abriendo Ave. Info: karmickonnection.com
