Pueblo County Ballot Measure 4A Would Raise Funds For School District 70 Improvements

Pueblo Steel On Trains
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A locomotive moves steel outside a mill in Pueblo, Colorado. Jan. 7, 2019.

Voters in Pueblo County are being asked to vote on a proposed bond measure aimed at funding school improvement projects across District 70. These include schools in the Mesa, Mountain and Pueblo West regions, along with charter schools.

Ballot Measure 4A is a $75 million proposed bond and would not increase taxes. $5 million would go toward COVID-19 safety measures in every school, including installing new HVAC filters and improving current filtration systems to help prevent flu and coronavirus spread.

Other district-wide improvements include upgraded security cameras and intercom systems.

Fixing roofs, installing better heating and cooling systems, and repairing building leaks are some of the other projects slated for schools in the district.

Additionally, the bond measure would allow for the district to provide matching funds for the state's BEST grant program, which stands for "Building Excellent Schools Today." Pleasant View Middle School has qualified for the state funding.

The Pueblo County Board of Elections has a sample November 2020 ballot with the full ballot measure language

A yes/for vote means the district can issue $75 million in bonds for school improvements. A no/against vote will mean the district will not be able to issue bonds.