Pueblo Star Journal - September 2022

On mushrooms and affordable lunches

The conventional wisdom and statistics suggest vot ers are more likely to show up for a presidential election than a midterm.

Here in Pueblo County, Clerk and Recorder election canvass numbers show (county.Pueblo.org/ clerk-and-recorder-department/election-results), 59.31% of registered voters cast ballots in the November 2018 midterm race compared to 77.17% in 2020’s historic presidential election, when Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump. In 2014, midway through Barack Obama’s sec ond term, 65.65% of registered voters cast a ballot, com pared with 92.24% in 2012 (Obama vs. Mitt Romney).

What are our takeaways from that? Pueblo County residents vote – and they vote a lot when the candidates or the initiatives are considered high stakes. Given the socio-political undertones of the past few years, it’s hard to imagine higher stakes than now.

Down the ballot, past the flashy and important but

not-so-flashy names, lie the ballot measures. These initiatives – some amendments to the state constitution and some just looking for direction – ask voters to de cide some major policy issues that could dramatically reshape the direction of governance and impact Pueblo.

This year, Coloradans will be asked their opinions on three constitutional amendments and eight amend ments to state law. They range from an amendment reallocating judges to a different Denver-area judicial district to a plan that would limit tax deductions for high-earning households to support free meals for all public school students. There is also an initiative that would reduce the state income tax rate by .15% for all residents and one that would allocate a 0.01% sales tax to affordable housing.

To help ease confusion as you wade through the mea sures, we created this guide to several of the biggest ques tions on the ballot. When we refer to something as “pro” or “con,” that’s not a Pueblo Star Journal opinion; we don’t endorse candidates or issues. It’s just what the ad

Your guide to (some of) the 2022 ballot initiatives

vocates and opponents have to say about the initiative.

Constitutional amendments require at least 55% bal lot approval to pass; propositions need a simple majori ty. For a deeper dive into all of this, check out the state General Assembly’s Blue Book mailed to households and available online at leg.colorado.gov.

Happy voting, you well-informed electors, you.

Ballot issue: Amendment E

What it asks: Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the extension of a property tax exemption for qualifying seniors and disabilities to the surviving spouse of a United States armed forces service member who died in the line of duty or veteran whose death resulted from a service-re lated injury or disease?

What it means: Colorado currently extends a prop erty tax exemption to seniors older than 65 who have owned and lived in their home for at least 10 years and to members of the U.S. military with a service-connect ed disability rated 100% permanent and total by the fed eral government. A “yes” vote would extend the same exemption to a veteran’s surviving spouse if the vet is killed in action or dies from a service-related condition.

Pro: Advocates say the measure allows the state to do more to help Gold Star families whose spouses or parents have died in service to the nation and state. It could help ease the burden of the financial strain of los ing a loved one.

Con: Opponents note that the proposal only applies to Gold Star spouses who can afford to own their homes, so those who rent or aren’t the owners of record on the property don’t qualify. They also argue that the current exemption is designed to help veterans whose federally designated disability prevents them from maintaining employment.

Financial impact: If approved, the measure is ex pected to increase state spending by $288,000 in budget year 2023-24.

Pueblo, will you help us dig deeper?

Since March, a small team has produced six issues of the Pueb lo Star Journal on a bootstrap budget, addressing critical local issues such as water and food scarcity as well as local sports and entertain ment. We’ve provided a venue for vet eran journalists and college journal ism students to be paid for their work. We’re proud of what we’ve been able to create while operating essentially as a volunteer enterprise.

But we need you, Pueblo. If you val ue what we are bringing to our commu nity, we need your financial support.

The simple fact is without a vibrant, engaged newspaper, communities stagnate socially and economically. This is our election issue, with a cover story that was written pro bono by a 20-year veteran political and govern mental affairs reporter. She donated her talents because it is important for you to know more if you’re going to make informed decisions in the up coming election.

And you’ve shown us you appreciate our work. You pick up your free cop

ies each month and call us for more. You comment on our stories and pro vide feedback through our website and social media. On day one, you even broke the internet for an afternoon.

We are committed to continuing the great journalistic, educational and community engagement work you have come to expect … but we can’t do it alone. Without an influx of financial support, we’re going to have to take a hard look at our bottom line and make some tough decisions. Do we put this project on ice for a while? Keep going in a way that is financially and phys ically unsustainable, hoping for the financial tide to turn? Say it was fun while it lasted and move on?

We have been overwhelmed by the support shown by advertisers. Howev er, because we are a nonprofit, the PSJ is limited in how much of our earn ings can come from advertising.

Support in the form of donations and sponsorships is critical to keep ing the Star Journal going, let alone growing. Our goal of creating a lo cally owned, independent community

newspaper requires the direct financial support of our community.

A dedicated team of veteran jour nalists and creatives volunteered their time over the past year to make the Pueblo Star Journal a reality. They made original visual art, interviewed dozens of outstanding sources and dedicated countless hours to copywrit ing, editing, designing, fundraising, marketing and promoting this project.

Just think of the trusted local jour nalists whose names you have seen in our pages – Juan Espinosa, Chris Woodka, Luke Lyons, Joe Stone, Re gan Foster, Amy Matthew, Jayson Peters, Mike Sweeney, Bryan Kelsen, Justin Morenz and Gary Markstein, to name a few. We’ve shared the voic es of trusted local officials, including Daneya Esgar, Dr. Brad Roberts and, in this edition, PCC President Patty Erjavec. We’ve also hired and provid ed the first paid byline for no fewer than six student reporters, columnists and photographers from Colorado State University Pueblo, as well as a recent graduate.

We do this not because it’s glamorous or financially beneficial, but because we believe so strongly in this dream –and because we saw a hole that, for the sake of the city we love and call home, desperately needed to be filled.

We need to hire staff and invest in physical capital if we are going to grow this product the way you have asked us to. Whether it’s $5 or $5 mil lion, any donation you can offer is a miracle to this team and propels the PSJ into 2023. We are fortunate to have the fiscal sponsorship of Pueblo entrepreneur Ryan McWilliams and his nonprofit, Positive Content, to help guide us through this period of giving and to ensure that your gift is tax deductible.

If positive feedback and encourage ment could fund a newspaper, we’d never have to worry about finances. We know you love the Star Journal. We love creating it for you and telling Pueblo’s stories.

With your help, we will be able to make the Star Journal a permanent fix ture in the community we all treasure.

COMMUNITY | ACCOUNTABILITY

CURIOSITY | CONNECTION

PuebloStarJournal.org | 719-283-3361

Board of Directors: Regan Foster, Gregory Howell, Leslie Nazario, Caroline Trani

Advisory Board: Nicki Hart, Kennedy Pugh, Susan Wolf, Chantal Woodyard

Creative Director and Designer: Melissa Edwards

Contributors: Patty Erjavec, Regan Foster, Michelle Wells

Special thanks to: Positive Content, CASA, EDCC, El Pueblo History Museum, GOAL Academy, InBank, Johnny’s Boiler Shop, Karmic Konnection, Living with Wolves, Photography by Lyss, Pueblo Chieftain Printing, Pueblo Electronics, Rocky Mountain Realty, SBDC, SRDA, Watertower Place, Wet Mountain Sangha, Amy Matthew, Ryan McWilliams, Anthony Perko, Jayson Peters & Doug Reeder

Rational Media Ltd. dba The Pueblo Star Journal is fiscally sponsored by Positive Content.

As a fiscal sponsor, Positive Content acts as an umbrella organization for our mission-focused work, and accepts and administers funds on our behalf. Positive Content is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which makes all donations to us tax deductible.

Send donation checks to:

Positive Content, c/o Pueblo Star Journal Fund 303 S. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo CO 81003

or donate online: PuebloStarJournal.org/Donate

Pueblo’s hockey team has come a long way in three years – and that’s no bull.

The Pueblo Bulls junior A hockey club has established a strong presence in the community since its 2019 debut. The team plays in the Premier Conference of the U.S. Premier Hockey League.

Now the team is focused on honoring the commit ment made the moment it arrived in Pueblo: Make the sport more accessible for Pueblo’s youth and make the city a hockey hotbed.

In the spring of 2022, the Bulls partnered with the Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey Association and Pueblo Youth Hockey, allowing the sport to contin ue as an independent organization in Pueblo under the team’s branding.

“It’s basically bringing it back home,” Bulls Vice President David Nelson said of the significance of being an independent organization for youth hock ey in Pueblo. “There was great success back in the day with the Pueblo Panthers youth program and then, unfortunately just with (lower) numbers and support, they made the decision to partner up with (Colorado Springs). Now with our growth and the

impact that we’ve had, it was best to bring it back home here in Pueblo.

“We’re still looking to be a part of CAHA (Colo rado Amateur Hockey Association) and the differ ent leagues for the youth programs to provide op portunity for the kids. But for us… it’s something that will be super exciting for the 6-year-old to wear a Bulls jersey and have (his or her) own name on the back and own number and to say (he or she) plays for the Pueblo Bulls as well.”

When asked how the Bulls are making hockey more accessible for everyone in Pueblo, Nelson said, “Through using all of our outlets and accessing them to full potential. Getting involved in the com munity is very important to us and by doing that, (it) allows us a great opportunity to grow the game with kids that maybe never even knew what hockey was or have never been to a hockey game.”

In addition to the junior A U20 team (players are ages 16-20), the Bulls are introducing a team for ev ery age group.

“I think it’s just great for the game to grow as a whole and (to) showcase our great sport to our com munity who may not know about the game itself or the Bulls. I hope growing the game will impact the

community of Pueblo by showcasing the opportuni ty for kids to play hockey and find it as an outlet to grow as a player and a person.”

However, Nelson is not the only one who views the new youth teams as an excellent opportunity to expand hockey in Pueblo.

Veteran Bulls forwards Rylan Marcum and Owen Ames, both entering their second season with the team, expressed their enthusiasm about young players getting more involved with the sport.

“The Bulls taking over is a huge thing for Colorado hockey,” Marcum said. “The more (kids) you can get, the better athletes you can get growing up. It’s going to make hockey that much better. I’ve done coaching with little kids since I was probably 10 years old, so it’s common for me to be like, ‘Oh I love this! Let’s go out there and help a kid tie his skates, see a smile on his face when he puts on a Bulls jersey.’ That’s awesome to me.

“It’s awesome for the junior team, too, because then you see the kids you coach at the games and you can wave to them, give them a fist bump and their faces light up and that’s what you want.”

Ames elaborated about how the junior players help out with the youth teams.

“It’s awesome… We’ve gone to kids’ games (and) Tuesday and Thursday practices, we’re out there. They all look up to us and we just want to set a good example.”

The team continues to implement changes in oth er ways, as well. The Pueblo Bulls Hockey Shop opened Sept. 6. Located at 310 W. Fourth St., it car ries a plethora of Bulls apparel and merchandise.

“I think it’s able to show the community we are invested in this (city) and we are staying,” Nelson said. “(It) also allows us to have a home base for our organization as we continue to grow.”

The Bulls recently received unanimous approval from Pueblo City Council for a five-year lease and management agreement allowing the organization to manage, operate and promote the Pueblo Ice Arena.

How have the Bulls been able to establish a thriv ing organization despite Pueblo’s instability with hockey teams in the past?

“I think this starts with the community embracing us from day one, helping with all of our successes we have had,” said Nelson. “Pueblo… backs many things that are great within our community, not just the Bulls. Pueblo is also a very passionate town that gets behind their sports teams. Another factor is the people here are great and want not only the Bulls to be successful, but the community as a whole.”

Ames and Marcum expressed their appreciation for the Pueblo fans.

“I think David said (the team did) 3,000 hours of community service last year,” Ames said. Almost ev eryone knows us by now so guys are helping out. It’s just different things we’re setting up and it’s good for the community, I think, (to) know our names and to see these hard-working people that we get to play in front of and that they support us.”

“Everyone wants to be there, they want to be with the guys and they want to be with the community and I think that’s such a good thing because the

Pueblo

(All times local. Schedule subject to change.)

Sept. 30 7:10 p.m. Idaho Falls Spud Kings

Oct. 1 7:10 p.m. Idaho Falls Spud Kings

Oct. 2 2 p.m. Idaho Falls Spud Kings

Oct. 8 3:30 p.m. at Northern Colorado Eagles

Oct. 9 noon at Northern Colorado Eagles

Oct. 14 7:15 p.m. at Ogden Mustangs

Oct. 15 6:35 p.m. at Utah Outliers

Oct. 16 1:30 p.m. at Ogden Mustangs

Oct. 21 7:10 p.m. Utah Outliers

Oct. 22 7:10 p.m. Utah Outliers

Oct. 23 2 p.m. Utah Outliers

Oct. 27 2:05 p.m. at Provo Predators

Oct. 28 7:35 p.m. at Provo Predators

Oct. 29 7:35 p.m. at Provo Predators

Nov. 4 8:30 p.m. at Northern Colorado Eagles

Nov. 5 8:30 p.m. at Northern Colorado Eagles

more you help the community, the more they’ll back you,” said Marcum.

Puebloans offer their support in multiple ways. Nelson said the team has more than 400 season-tick et holders, up from 170 in the first season. Residents also offer to be billet families, providing host homes for players who are not from Pueblo.

“My job with regard to my billet boys is to act as a guide,” said Carrie Archuleta, who is hosting three players this season. “I do make sure they have a safe place to sleep and food to eat, but I hope that we provide a safe environment for them to grow into the men I know they can become, whether it’s encour aging them in their hockey playing or talking them through the college selection process or listening while they decide that this may be the end of their hockey career.”

Due to the organization’s growth, the Bulls will

Nov. 6 noon at Northern Colorado Eagles

Nov. 11 7:10 p.m. Provo Predators

Nov. 12 7:10 p.m. Provo Predators

Nov. 13 2 p.m. Provo Predators

Nov. 25 7:10 p.m. Idaho Falls Spud Kings

Nov. 26 7:10 p.m. Idaho Falls Spud Kings

Nov. 27 2 p.m. Idaho Falls Spud Kings

Dec. 2 7:10 p.m. Northern Colorado Eagles

Dec. 3 7:10 p.m. Northern Colorado Eagles

Dec. 4 2 p.m. Northern Colorado Eagles

Dec. 8 7:05 p.m. at Idaho Falls Spud Kings

Dec. 9 7:05 p.m. at Idaho Falls Spud Kings

Dec. 10 7:05 p.m. at Idaho Falls Spud Kings

Dec. 16 midnight at Battle Creek Kernels (Chicago showcase) at Chicago Cougars (Chicago showcase) Columbus Mavericks (Chicago showcase) Wooster Oilers (Chicago showcase)

Jan. 6 7:10 p.m. Northern Colorado Eagles

move up to the National Collegiate Development Conference Tier II of the USPHL for the 2023-24 season. The NCDC is geared toward developing play ers for Division I hockey. It means a higher level of hockey for fans and more opportunities for players.

“NCDC is a great league that is continuing to grow as well, while providing players the opportu nity to play at the highest level and move them on,” said Nelson. “This process took some time and tim ing is everything and it worked out great.

“We believe we already run one of the top pro grams in all of junior hockey in terms of our day-today (operations) and our impact on the players and within the community, so we hope that it will be an easy transition moving up leagues.”

The season opener for the Bulls, marking the start of what’s expected to be another successful season, is Sept. 30.

Jan. 7 7:10 p.m. Northern Colorado Eagles

Jan. 13 7:15 p.m. at Ogden Mustangs

Jan. 14 8:30 p.m. at Provo Predators

Jan. 15 1:30 p.m. at Ogden Mustangs

Jan. 20 7:05 p.m. at Utah Outliers

Jan. 21 6:35 p.m. at Utah Outliers

Jan. 22 12:05 p.m. at Utah Outliers

Jan. 27 7:10 p.m. Ogden Mustangs

Jan. 28 7:10 p.m. Ogden Mustangs

Jan. 29 2 p.m. Ogden Mustangs

Feb. 4 3:30 p.m. at Northern Colorado Eagles

Feb. 5 noon at Northern Colorado Eagles

Feb. 17 7:10 p.m. Utah Outliers

Feb. 18 7:10 p.m. Utah Outliers

Feb. 19 2 p.m. Utah Outliers

Feb. 24 7:10 p.m. Vernal Oilers

Feb. 25 7:10 p.m. Vernal Oilers

Feb. 26 2 p.m. Vernal Oilers

Casting a wide net, PCC keeps focus personal

GUEST COLUMN

Arecent meeting hosted by the Chronicle of Higher Educa tion revealed that nearly one million community college students were lost throughout the U.S. during the COVID-19 pan demic. This is equivalent to losing a year’s worth of students nationwide.

As a result, Pueblo Community College is being challenged to think creatively to re-engage with for mer students and discover where to find new stu dents. PCC’s attention, emphasis and energy are focused on individuals with some college but no credentials – the adult learner who left college be cause of an unanticipated life-altering event. Since presenting data in 2019, the National Student Clear inghouse Research Center reports that the number of these students increased by 8.6%, to 39 million, in 2020. Our team at PCC is working to personally reach out to some 6,000 individuals in our service area alone who were enrolled at the institution at some point over the years.

Our Return to Earn program initially targeted prior students who successfully completed at least 30 cred its and had an overall school debt of less than $500.

Of the 532 students who have re-enrolled through that program, 92% passed their first semester back and 82% have successfully earned an associate degree.

PCC’s results reinforced the same findings pub lished by the National Student Clearinghouse: Stu dents who re-enroll are likely to complete their cre dential without stopping out again. With this initial success, PCC is now casting a wider net, but a per sonal touch remains the key.

The Return to Earn program was launched and sustained with the generous financial support of pri vate foundations and individual donors. Its success caught the eye of the governor’s office and the Colo rado Department of Higher Education.

Now all institutions of higher education in Colorado – two- and four-year – are receiving financial resources through the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initia tive. The program is called Finish What You Started and it was created to increase the attainment of post secondary credentials and degrees for underserved students through accessibility and affordability.

The clearinghouse provides data that suggests “(some college, no credential) students are more like ly to be women. They also overrepresent populations of color, particularly relative to their share of current ly enrolled undergraduate students. Black, Latinx and Native Americans make up roughly 35% of all under

graduates but are about 44% of SCNC students.”

PCC recognizes that the needs of these adult stu dents are not monolithic. Our student success team emphasizes the importance of getting to know stu dents individually to understand the reasons they stopped out in the first place so we can keep it from happening again.

It does take extra work to provide the proper wraparound services and outreach to help students. Comprehensive advising and services that support academic endeavors and other aspects of a student’s needs are essential. We are proud of the holistic sup port PCC offers.

We are determined to remain the “secret sauce” of degree attainment for all – an incubator of innovation and opportunity. We remain committed to empowering our communities, strengthening our businesses and invigorating our local economies. Whether through our Return to Earn program, Ca reer in a Year initiative or other programs, this long standing community institution remains innovative and committed to the value of a higher education, and ultimate success, for all students.

Pueblo native Patty Erjavec, Ph.D., has served as pres ident of Pueblo Community College since 2010. The col lege operates campuses in Pueblo, Cañon City and Mancos with branch sites in Durango and Bayfield.

BALLOT INITIATIVES

Continued from page 1

Ballot issue: Proposition FF

What it asks: Shall state taxes be increased $100,727,820 annually by a change to the Colora do revised statutes that, to support health meals for public school students, increases state taxable in come only for individuals who have federal taxable income of $300,000 or more by limiting itemized or standard state income tax deductions to $12,000 for single tax return filers and $16,000 for joint tax return filers, and, in connection therewith, creating the healthy school meals for all program to provide free school meals to students in public schools; pro viding grants for participating schools to purchase Colorado grown, raised or processed products, to in crease wages or provide stipends for employees who prepare and serve school meals, and to create parent and student advisory committees to provide advice to ensure school meals are healthy and appealing to all students; and creating a program to assist in promoting Colorado food products and preparing school meals using basic nutritious ingredients with minimal reliance on processed products?

What it means: The nuts and the bolts of this long question ask whether Colorado should limit the amount of state and federal income tax deductions for households with an adjustable gross income of $300,000 or more. The expected $100 million in additional revenue would go to a program provid ing free meals for all public school students, grant support for schools that want to serve Colorado-pro duced products, provide stipends and salaries for food service staff, and consumer advisory committees to evaluate programs. It would also incentivize the use of natural, nutritious ingredients and reduce reliance on processing.

Pro: Advocates point to research that shows stu dents experiencing hunger have lower grades than their well-fed peers and are more likely to struggle with behavioral, mental, physical and emotion al health issues. They also point to increased costs of living and the stigma and shame of hunger that students who qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch may face. Advocates say a “yes” vote would even the playing field.

Con: Opponents, meanwhile, point out that the measure is raising taxes on only select households when the high cost of inflation and living could re duce investing in the economy or shoring up savings. They also argue that the burden of feeding children shouldn’t fall on the government, but on the parents or caregivers, and the measure requires continued state investment of dollars, resources and oversight for a program that isn’t universally needed. Oppo nents say when schools are already underfunded, it would be better to give programmatic control to the

local school districts, who can use the dollars to de cide what best suits their students’ needs.

Financial impact: The proposed tax hike is ex pected to bring in an additional $50.4 million this budget year. That number is expected to grow to $100.7 million in 2023-24 and $104.2 million the year after. Likewise, state spending on the program is projected to rise by up to $115 million in 2023-24 and scale back to $101.4 million per year thereafter, once the new program is fully operational.

Ballot issue: Proposition 121

What it asks: Shall there be a change to the Colo rado Revised Statutes reducing the state income tax rate from 4.55% to 4.40%?

What it means: This question is straightforward: Should the income tax rate be decreased by 0.15%?

Pro: Supporters say with the state’s high cost of liv ing and inflationary rates, this is the perfect time to cut the tax rate and get money back into consumers’ pockets. They also point to the fact that the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits the amount of money the state can collect and that it currently takes in more than it spends. Reimbursing taxpayers at the end of the fiscal year, advocates say, is inefficient; they argue that it’s better for families and businesses when they keep more of their own money to begin with.

Con: Opponents argue that most of the benefit will go to the very wealthiest taxpayers and corporations. They say about 75% of taxpayers will receive a tax cut of less than $63 per year while millionaires are projected to save nearly $7,000 per year. Additional ly, those opposed say, ongoing inflation, pandemic, and chaotic international rates have increased the risk of a recession. In that case, the measure could backfire by limiting the amount of funding the state has on hand to respond to critical services and eco nomic challenges.

Financial impact: The bill is projected to reduce

the state General Fund revenue by $638 million this budget year, which began July 1. Next year’s drop could potentially hit $413 million. Projections are based on a roughly 18-month cycle because they would be implemented after the completion of bud get year 2021-22.

Ballot issue: Proposition 122

What it asks: Shall there be a change to the Colo rado Revised Statutes concerning legal regulated ac cess to natural medicine for persons 21 years of age or older, and, in connection therewith, defining nat ural medicine as certain plants or fungi that affect a person’s mental health and are controlled substances under state law; establishing a natural medicine reg ulated access program for supervised care, and re quiring the department of regulatory agencies to im plement the program and comprehensively regulate natural medicine to protect public health and safety; creating an advisory board to advise the department as to the implementation of services; allowing limited personal possession, use, and uncompromising sharing of natural medicine; providing specified protections under state law, including criminal and civil immunity, for authorized providers and users of natural medicine; and, in limited circumstances, allowing the retroactive removal and reduction of criminal penalities related to the possession, use, and sale of natural medicine?

What it means: This measure asks whether the state should establish a regulated system for adults over 21 to legally buy psychedelic mushrooms and, if approved by the state regulatory agency, other plant-based psychedelics. This essentially decrimi nalizes the purchase and use of psychedelic mush rooms and plant-based substances.

Pro: Those in favor of the legalization of psyche delic mushrooms and plant-based products point to studies that show these products, combined with

counseling, may provide effective treatment for se vere depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. They think this could be a boon for Col orado’s already-stretched mental health safety net. Additionally, they argue that putting people into the criminal justice system for using naturally occurring substances doesn’t benefit society and actually costs taxpayers money.

Con: Those opposed point out that there are no approved therapies that use psychedelic mushrooms or other plant-based psychedelic substances and that the effects of said products vary based on the indi vidual, frequency of consumption, dosage and type of substances. They also note that the bill would legalize substances that have been federally crimi nalized for more than 50 years and say the measure would foist on communities the obligation to allow the use of these substances and provide protection to criminals by forcing prior convictions to be wiped from their records.

Financial impact: With licenses and fees needed to cover the cost of the program when fully imple mented, it is expected to generate about $5.2 mil lion in budget year 2024-25, $5.6 million in 2025-26 and $4.5 million per year thereafter. On the other hand, startup regulatory impact is projected to hover around $3 million through budget year 2023-24 and then cost more than $5 million to manage thereafter.

Ballot issue: Proposition 123

What it asks: Shall there be a change to the Colo rado Revised Statutes concerning statewide funding for additional affordable housing, and, in connec tion therewith, dedicating state revenues collected from an existing tax of 1/10 of 1 percent on fed eral taxable income from every individual, estate, trust and corporation, as defined in law, for afford able housing and exempting the dedicated revenues from the constitutional limitation on state fiscal year spending; allocated 60% of the dedicated revenues to affordable housing financing programs that will reduce rents, purchase land for affordable housing development, and build assets for renters; allocating 40% of the dedicated revenues to programs that sup port affordable home ownership, serve persons ex periencing homelessness, and support local planning capacity; requiring local governments that seek ad ditional affordable housing funding to expedite de velopment approvals for affordable housing projects and commit to increasing the number of affordable housing units by 3% annually; and specifying that the dedicated revenues shall not supplant existing appropriations for affordable housing programs?

What it means: In a nutshell, this question asks whether an existing 0.01 percent sales tax should be re allocated to support new affordable housing programs. It exempts the money from the state’s revenue cap.

Pro: It’s no secret that Colorado’s booming popu lation has driven up housing costs and forced many residents to tighten their fiscal belts and make tough decisions. Supporters of the proposal say it creates a credible source of funds to tackle the housing is sues without raising tax rates and gives local com munities flexibility to respond to their constituents’ unique needs. Advocates also say the new programs would make it possible for residents who are strug gling to pay rent to participate in the housing market now and in the future, growing communities and economies.

Con: Opponents of the measure worry that it doesn’t address the underlying causes of the state’s skyrocketing housing costs. Pumping money into the market, they say, could further distort it, with the real benefit going to landlords and developers rather than consumers. Those opposed also say it will re duce future TABOR refunds in a state that already provides resources — including more than $1 billion in federal stimulus funds over recent years — to sup port affordable housing initiatives.

Financial impact: Prop 123 would transfer an esti mated $145 million in the 2022-23 budget year from the state General Fund to a designated program. It has no change to state revenues but would limit the amount returned to taxpayers in those years when revenues surpass the TABOR cap.

ART & HISTORY

"You Should Have Seen It: Pueblo's Mineral Palace"

10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through April 1, El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave. Info: historycolorado.org

War Memorial Ghost Tours

7-9 p.m. first Saturday of each month, Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, 31001 Magnuson Ave. Info: pwam.org

Art History for Kiddos

1 p.m. every other Sunday, Pueblo Arts Alliance, 107 S. Grand Ave. Info: 602-281-5558

EATS

Food Truck Union

Noon-7 p.m. Fridays, Mineral Palace Park, 1600 N. Santa Fe Ave.

3-9 p.m. Sundays, City Park, 800 Goodnight Ave. Info: thefoodtruckunion@gmail.com or thefoodtruckunion on Facebook

Southern Colorado Farmers Market & Craft Fair

4-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Lake Minnequa Veterans Me morial Park, 3005 Lakeshore Drive (off Pueblo Boulevard); 7 a.m.-noon and 4-7 p.m. Fridays, Mineral Palace Park, 1500 N. Santa Fe Ave. Info: www.facebook.com/SoCofarmandcraft or socofarmandcraft@gmail.com

FAITH

Interfaith meditation and service

10-11:30 a.m. Sundays, Center for Inner Peace, 740 W. 15th St. Info: 719-543-2274

FAMILY EVENTS

Pueblo Historical Ghost Walk 2022: Famous Sites of Pueblo

5-8:30 p.m. Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 7-8 and 14-15, El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave. Info: historycolorado.org

Studio Ghibli Fest anime series: "Spirited Away"

3 p.m. Oct. 30 and 7 p.m. Nov. 2 (English), 7 p.m. Nov. 1 (Japanese with subtitles), Cinemark Tinseltown Pueblo, 4140 N. Freeway Info: ghiblifest.com

Pueblo Rocks in the Park

Noon-2 p.m. Fridays, Ray Aguilera Park, 840 W. Northern Ave.

GAMES

Chaos Games & More

4065 Club Manor Drive Pokemon, Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer 40K, board games and more. Weekly game schedule available on website.

Info: chaosgamesandmore.com

MUSIC 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

Karaoke Night at The Fallout with KJ Mikey D.

9-11:30 p.m. Fridays, 1227 S. Prairie Ave.

Info: facebook.com/PuebloFallout

PERFORMING ARTS

Open Mic Night at Grind Haus Cafe

7:30-9:30 p.m. Fridays, all ages, 209 S. Union Ave. Info: facebook.com/thegrindhauscafe

"The Outsider" by Paul Slade Smith

Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 7-9 and 15-16 Impossible Playhouse, 1201 N. Main St.

Info: (719) 542-6969 or impossibleplayers.com

“Scrooge”

7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3, Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place

Info: $25-$35, pueblomemorialhall.com

WELLNESS

Free dental clinic

Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1 Colorado State Fairgrounds

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

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

Pueblo Electronics Supply is a locally owned Pueblo business that strives to maintain a strong relationship with its customers. It is an evolution of a long-standing business in the community that is now fully local. We offer an array of electronic components and products that are not easily found elsewhere and we pride ourselves on our vast knowledge and tremendous customer service. Come see us and let us know how we can assist you in your work or hobbies alike!

DO YOU KNOW about Living with Wolves and what we do?

Based in Sun Valley, Idaho, we are a national nonprofit organization working to combat widespread misinformation about wolves, and to promote the benefits this misunderstood animal brings to the natural world.

The intimate knowledge gained living with a pack of wolves and our partnership with National Geographic uniquely position us to inform you and to fight the unjust persecution of wolves.

Working with preeminent biologists to reveal the latest research, we share the truth about wolves through our books, films, presentations, exhibits and website. This is part of an ongoing series of Public Service Announcements.

Learn more at the Living with Wolves PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT at the Pueblo West Library • September 2 - October 29

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.

Ladies Night Out Self-Defense Training

6-8 p.m. first Friday of the month, Rocky Mountain Empowerment Center, 330 Lake Ave. Info: $39. 800-748-2074

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 30 - Friday

NeighborWorks Southern Colorado Celebration of Home 2022

5:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. Info: nwsoco.org

Bryan Bielanski Live

7-10 p.m., blo Back Gallery, 131 Spring St. Info: blobackgallery.com

OCTOBER

Oct. 1 - Saturday

Movies in the Park: “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

7 p.m., City Park, 800 Goodnight Ave. Info: Free

Oct. 7 - Friday

The Bell Game (Centennial vs. Central)

7 p.m., Dutch Clark Stadium, 1001 W. Abriendo Ave. Info: pueblod60.org

Oct. 8 - Saturday

Multicultural Festival

11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mineral Palace Park, 1600 N. Santa Fe Ave. Info: Free

Comedy Night at the Blue Cactus Room

7:30-9 p.m., El Nopal, 1435 E. Evans Ave. Info: 719-564-9784

Oct. 11 - Tuesday

Bones, Board and PendulumsDos and Don'ts Spirit Communication class

5:45-7:45 p.m., Karmic Konnection, 125 E. Abriendo Ave. Info: karmickonnection.com

Oct. 16 - Sunday

Aaron Lewis

7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: $35-$250, pueblomemorialhall.com

Oct. 17 - Monday

Broadway Theatre League: “Respect”

7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: $62-$90, pueblomemorialhall.com

Oct. 27 - Thursday

Spellbound Samhain 2022

10 a.m.-6p.m., Karmic Konnection, 125 E. Abriendo Ave. Info: karmickonnection.com/

We are Messengers with Jordan St. Cyr and Ryan Ellis

7 p.m., Memorial Hall, 1 City Hall Place Info: $28-$73, pueblomemorialhall.com