Sprawling, family-friendly and always on the lookout for the next big thing, Pueblo—if it’s not already—should be Colorado’s gravitational center. In the shadow of the downtown high-rises lies a young, lively town—whose sites and activities are just waiting for you and your family to explore!
Keep on the Sunny Side
Odds are, you won’t need an umbrella in Pueblo, where average annual rainfall is less than 13 inches. Sunscreen, cotton clothing and a wide-brimmed hat are recommended for the peak summer season. The temperatures rise into the 90s most days in July, but nights are cool because of the city’s higher elevation. Expect afternoon thunderstorms in the summer; they’re caused by the abrupt change in elevation between Pueblo and the higher peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the west. Light to moderate snow in the winter is typical, with occasional blizzard conditions.
From Plains to Mountains
You can easily spend a day at Pueblo’s 157-acre City Park. Little ones will enjoy two bounce houses, a miniature train and a carousel, while older kids play disc golf or hang out at the swimming pool and water park. The whole family can pitch horseshoes, explore the zoo, ride bikes on the trails or have a picnic. Explore the area’s history and geography on the Frontier Pathways Scenic & Historic Byway. This 103-mile route runs from Pueblo’s high plains into the Rocky Mountains. Back in Pueblo, the Hose Company No. 3 Fire Museum, housed in a building completed in 1881, displays firefighting equipment and memorabilia and still has its brass pole.
From Steel to Alternative Energy
Steel was the major industry in Pueblo for much of its history, but since the economy bust of the 1980s, other industries in technology, health care and energy sectors have taken over. The Steelworks Center preserves the history of the steel and mining industries. Every summer, hundreds of thousands of people come to Pueblo for the Colorado State Fair, generating millions of dollars in revenue for the city. Colorado State University Pueblo, with nearly 5,000 students, is the fastest-growing university in the state, and Trane, Inc., an air conditioning company, is one of the largest employers in the region.
Leave the Driving to Us
Several major airlines serve the Colorado Springs Airport, about 45 miles north via Interstate 25. Amtrak provides thruway bus service to the Southwest Chief route in La Junta, about 65 miles east, but plans are in the works to reroute the train through Pueblo. Pick up an economical day pass at the Transit Center or buy one online for unlimited rides on the city’s public transit system. Forty miles west of Pueblo, the Royal Gorge Railroad offers a memorable ride beneath the remarkable 1,000-foot cliffs towering over the Arkansas River.
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