Back-Room Politics

Why Pueblo Deserves Transparency

The Facts

Pueblo Opacity

On October 31, five sitting members of the Pueblo City Council - Mark Aliff, Roger Gomez, Joe Latino, Dennis Flores, and Regina Maestri - jointly released a document they called a “Statement of Readiness.”

They published it on social media using the official City of Pueblo letterhead, giving the public every reason to believe this was an official city communication.

It was not.

According to Mayor Graham, the City did not authorize the letter, nor did any public meeting occur to discuss or approve it. In other words, a majority of the City Council met, deliberated, and coordinated city policy positions in secret - and then publicly issued those positions under the City’s official branding.

That’s more than poor judgment. It’s a serious breach of public trust and a likely violation of Colorado’s Open Meetings (Sunshine) Law, which requires that the people’s business be conducted in public view.

What the Law Says

Colorado’s Open Meetings Law (C.R.S. §24-6-402) is straightforward:

“All meetings of a quorum… at which any public business is discussed or formal action may be taken are declared to be public meetings open to the public.”

Five of seven council members make up a quorum. Since those members discussed and coordinated public business outside of a noticed public meeting, that is an illegal meeting under state law.

The law exists to protect transparency - to ensure that decisions affecting our community happen in the open, where residents can listen, question, and hold leaders accountable.

Why the Letterhead Matters

When these council members used official city stationery, they blurred the line between their private political messaging and the legitimate authority of the City of Pueblo.

That’s not just unethical - it may also violate Colorado’s Fair Campaign Practices Act (C.R.S. §1-45-117), which prohibits government officials from using public resources to influence voters or ballot measures.

Using the city logo, seal, or staff resources to advance a political narrative - especially days before an election - is precisely the kind of misuse the law was written to prevent.

The Contradictions

Ironically, the same group that has moved to defund or cut ties with local nonprofits now claims in their “Statement” that they “support nonprofits providing critical services.”

They speak of “accountability,” yet hold secret discussions and draft plans that should be presented openly to the public.

They speak of “professionalism” while threatening to replace city staff - including the Chief of Police and Director of Finance - who do not even report to them.

This is not leadership. It’s political opportunism dressed in official language.

Why Pueblo Should Care

Government legitimacy rests on process - not personalities or press releases.
When a majority of elected officials circumvent the law to push their agenda, they erode public confidence in every other decision they make.

The Sunshine Law isn’t a technicality - it’s a citizen protection. It ensures that back-room politics don’t dictate city policy. When council members ignore those safeguards, they are saying that public input no longer matters.

If this behavior becomes normalized - and citizens dismiss it as “politics as usual” - Pueblo risks becoming a city where laws and ethical standards are applied selectively, at the convenience and discretion of the City Council rather than in the interest of the public.

What Accountability Looks Like

Accountability starts with facts. The facts are these:

• A quorum of council members acted outside a public meeting.

• They used official city branding without authorization.

• They released a politically charged statement days before an election.

• They misrepresented their authority and blurred ethical lines.

Those actions are inconsistent with both state law and basic standards of public ethics.

Residents have every right to demand:

1. A public explanation from each council member involved.

2. A formal investigation by the City Attorney and Clerk.

3. Full disclosure of communications, drafts, and discussions leading up to the release.

4. Censure or ethics review if violations are confirmed.

Final Word

Pueblo belongs to its people - not to politicians who treat transparency as optional.

Leadership isn’t about controlling the narrative; it’s about respecting the process.

No city can move forward when trust in government collapses behind closed doors.

It’s time for Pueblo to insist on sunlight.