Council Chaos

Power Grabs, Bad Deals, and Broken Trust in Pueblo

A hotdog vendor, a forgetful retiree, and a used car salesman walk into a meeting…
sounds like the setup to a bad joke, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, for the City of Pueblo, it isn’t. That’s three of the seven council members controlling the city’s purse strings—now trying to snatch power from the people who voted for a strong mayor system and elected their mayor.

Let’s start with “hotdog man.” He went out of business years ago, but still lives in his old hotdog stand. A failed businessman who couldn’t make hotdogs turn a profit is now making financial decisions for the city and leading the charge to change the form of government Pueblo voters chose. Even worse, he’s tied at the hip to the disgraced former city manager—fired after bilking the city, misusing resources, carrying on an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate, and picking up a DUI or two. Hotdog proudly calls this disgraced figure his “brother from another mother.” Two hotdogs in a bun…

And it doesn’t stop there—they’re now running a “nonprofit” together. If that doesn’t scream conflict of interest, I don’t know what does. Proof’s in the mustard.

Here’s the truth: running a city isn’t about hotdogs, used cars, or calling 911 on speed dial. It’s about leadership, integrity, and hard work. It’s about honoring your word and setting the example. That’s exactly what Mayor Graham has been doing since taking office, even while under constant attack from a council blinded by its own hunger for power—power they want to take not just from the mayor, but from the voters who put her there.

This is the same council that:

• Voted to give themselves a raise, without voter approval, while demanding a 15% pay cut for staff because of a deficit.

• Voted against bringing several hundred good-paying jobs to Pueblo.

• Approved the infamous $8 million PBR building deal—not the mayor, the council.

• Spends more time bickering than building consensus.

When you cast your vote this November, remember who’s really been serving Pueblo and who’s been serving themselves.

 Vote NO on 2C. 

Vote NO on returning the same council members.

Pueblo deserves better. No more hotdogs.