Pueblo West, Colorado


Pueblo West is a census-designated place under a special district form of government. It is governed by five elected officials who comprise the Board of Directors, the Board then appoints a District Manager who monitors daily operations. The population was 29,637 in 2010 census, making it the 5th most populous CDP in the state of Colorado. Pueblo West is part of the Pueblo Metropolitan Statistical Area, totaling over 160,000 people.

History

Before Robert P. McCulloch and his company, McCulloch Properties, Inc. came to Colorado, the area that is now known as Pueblo West was little more than a barren plain inhabited by sagebrush and rattlesnakes. Receiving inspiration from the neighboring City of Pueblo, Colorado and the momentum of successfully creating Lake Havasu City, Arizona, McCulloch and his company formally founded the Pueblo West Metropolitan District on September 16, 1969. Not long after the creation of the District, McCulloch built the Pueblo West Inn where guests were treated to a luxurious experience in an effort to sell land in the rolling prairies of the new community. The Pueblo West News, the District's first newspaper, reported by 1974 over 2,000 new residents had moved into Pueblo West, and Pueblo School District 70 founded Pueblo West Elementary with 200 students enrolling in the fall.
Around that same time, a handful of recreational and industrial opportunities were also being founded on Pueblo West property, including the South Equestrian Center, National Horseman's Arena, the Pueblo West Golf and Tennis Club, and manufacturing company Aspen Skiwear, all making use of the area's expansive plains for their ventures. Pueblo West boasted a population of nearly 4,500 by the early 1980s, requiring the building of Pueblo West Middle School. With developmental opportunities abounding in the North Industrial Park, the economy of the District was growing right alongside its residential areas. Following a population boom in the 1990s, several new elementary schools were built, with Pueblo West High School officially opening in 1996. In the early 2000s, a trail system was laid for the enjoyment of the residents, along with an additional fire station being built to serve the north side of the District. Pueblo West also entered into the Southern Delivery System, a bilateral agreement to supply water from the Pueblo Reservoir to Colorado Springs. Today, Pueblo West is home to over 30,000 residents and boasts a growing industrial center.
In January 2019 the Pueblo West Metro District Board initiated a study to exam the feasibility of becoming an incorporated city.

Geography

Pueblo West is approximately 49 square miles in size, and is located along the southern edge of the state's major growth corridor. Situated on Highway 50, roughly 7 miles west of the City of Pueblo and 38 miles east of Cañon City, Pueblo West is bisected by U.S. Route 50, and its north eastern border is adjacent to Interstate 25. Lake Pueblo State Park is situated along the southern boundary of Pueblo West, and the remainder of the community is mostly landlocked by ranch land, conservation easements, and private property.

Climate

Pueblo West, located in Southern Colorado, boasts nearly 300 days of sunshine a year. Spring temperatures typically fluctuate between mid 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day to mid 30 °F or cooler during the night, and the season also tends to be windy. Summer temperatures average in the 80s-90s °F range, but during the night can drop well into the 30s.

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2016 Pueblo West had 10,848 households and 30,655 people living in the Metropolitan District. The population density was 420.8 people per square mile. According to the census, the demographics of Pueblo West are 72.7% White, 1.1% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race account for 22.9% of the population, 2.2%were foreign born, and 50.1% are female.
There were 10,848 households out of which 76% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size is 2.71 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the census designated place, the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 19, 10.0% from 20 to 29, 13.5%from 30 to 39, 14.3% from 40 to 49, 13.6% from 50 to 59, and 18.3% who were 60 years of age or older, with median age 34.1. Ever since the founding of the District, a large portion of its population has consisted of younger residents.
The median income for a household in the census designated place was $64,560, per capita money income $25,293, with 8.7% residents living below poverty level. The median value of owner-occupied housing units is $177,400, home ownership rate is 82.5%, and 84.3% of residents live in the same house for one year.

Recreation

Pueblo West is an active and family-oriented community. With seven Pueblo West Metro maintained parks, a 3.75 acre fishing pond, an outdoor swimming pool, 16 miles of recreational trails, and 300 days of sunshine each year, Pueblo West has many options for an active outdoor and healthy lifestyle. Desert Hawk Golf Course, owned by Pueblo County, provides residents and visitors with an 18-hole golf course in the heart of the community.
Lake Pueblo State Park where residents and visitors enjoy the best fishing, boating, water skiing, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking opportunities Colorado State Parks and Wildlife offers, is no more than a ten-minute drive from any location in Pueblo West. Other major attractions such as the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Monarch Mountain, and the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo are nearby.

Government

The Pueblo West Metropolitan District operates one of the leanest local governments in Colorado, yet still provides robust services to over 30,000 residents, businesses, and visitors.  As a special district form of government, Pueblo West exists to provide services in an unincorporated portion of Pueblo County and is not considered a city. This classification recognizes Pueblo West as a quasi-municipal local government governed by Title 32, Article 1 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. Pueblo West was formed to perform local government functions outlined in the District's service plan. These services include covenant enforcement, fire protection, parks and recreation, public works, and water and wastewater utilities. Law enforcement, planning and zoning, and court services are provided by Pueblo County. In addition, services such as the Health Department, Regional Building Department, and the Pueblo West Library are provided by partnerships between the City of Pueblo and Pueblo County.
The District is governed by a five member Board of Directors whom are elected by registered voters consisting of Pueblo West residents and property owners.  Elections for board members occur in May of even years, and alternate between two seats and three seats.
Pueblo West lies within Colorado's 3rd U.S. Congressional District. For representation in the Colorado General Assembly, Pueblo West For the purposes of representation in the Colorado General Assembly, Pueblo West is located in the 46th and 47th districts of the Colorado House of Representatives and the 3rd districts of the Colorado State Senate.

Taxes

Property taxes serve as the District's primary method of raising general fund revenue, with miscellaneous fees and grants covering the remainder. In 2015, Pueblo West generated $4,337,155 in revenue from property taxes and $1,757,287 in miscellaneous taxes. As an unincorporated special district, Pueblo West is limited in its ability to generate the revenue needed to provide necessary services to its growing population. Of the 3.9% sales tax collected in Pueblo West, 2.9% goes to the State of Colorado, while the remaining 1% goes to Pueblo County.
In November 2015, Pueblo West voters passed a ballot initiative asking for an excise tax on the first transfer of cultivated recreational marijuana within Pueblo West.
In November 2016, Pueblo West voters passed ballot initiative 5A asking for a Tax Payers Bill of Rights timeout to fund the design, construction, and maintenance of a new community pool and aquatic facility. The TABOR time out will sunset in 2026.

Education

Pueblo West is home to 9 Pueblo County School District 70 schools and a charter school, including:

High schools

Pueblo County School District 70 plans to break ground on a Kindergarten through 12th grade Science Technology Engineering and Math -Maker charter school on Pueblo West's north side.

Transportation

Pueblo West is part of Colorado's Bustang network. It is on the Alamosa-Pueblo Outrider line.