Pueblo nonprofits are taking a public stand Nov. 25 to oppose substantial funding cuts to local nonprofits in the city’s proposed 2025 budget.
Noah Commerford, Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo president and CEO, told the Chieftain he is hopeful over 100 staff, board members, clients and volunteers representing nonprofits throughout the city will attend the Latino Chamber-organized “Pueblo Non-Profit Unity Stand” Monday at 5 p.m. outside City Hall.
“As you may be aware the City of Pueblo is proposing cutting funding for our non-profit community by over $1.2 million in 2025,” Latino chamber officials stated in a Nov. 20 news release.
“These cuts will not only cripple many of our great non-profit organizations, but force organizations to lay off and eliminate staff positions, drop various programs and events, and cause several populations to be without much needed services as well as support.”
Commerford also told the Chieftain that some nonprofits may be forced to close, community events will decrease, sales tax revenue will decrease, and general sales revenue will decrease if the proposed 2025 city budget passes with the proposed cuts to nonprofits.
About 170 organizations, including over 100 nonprofits and other “key partners,” have been contacted by the Latino Chamber to participate in the Unity Stand. The demonstration is free to attend and is open to members of the public.
Arc of Pueblo, NeighborWorks Southern Colorado, El Pueblo History Museum and Grand Avenue Dental are among the organizations that have confirmed they will participate, Commerford said Nov. 21.
“We hope for a good turnout,” he said. “If we don’t rally the nonprofits together now, we might not get a chance down the line. We think that this is just the most ideal time to make it happen.”
First reading of an ordinance adopting the budget was passed by Pueblo City Council at a Nov. 11 meeting. Council’s second reading of the ordinance will take place at a Nov. 25 meeting. In a statement shared with the Chieftain on Nov. 21, Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham said that she agreed with members of council that budget cuts “across the board” are a necessity for 2025.
“While funding nonprofits less than in previous years, I made the decision to return to 2019 or pre-pandemic numbers to give a baseline of how to fund appropriately,” Graham said. “I have proposed $5,535,124 in the 2025 budget for City Council’s consideration for nonprofit funding in the overall proposed $125,737,988 budget.”
Graham also said that the city “greatly” values its nonprofit partners, but cuts must be made to ensure “essential City services” are delivered.
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com
