The hiring process has begun to resolve the dispute in the City of Pueblo regarding a Christopher Columbus statue. Over the last few months, opponents of the statue have gathered around it stating their demand that the statue is removed by city officials. The group is also demanding “change in law enforcement” nationally. The Pueblo statute is located on Abriendo Avenue across from the library.

There is opposition in the city to the removal of the statute. Some want it to stay, while others want it removed. Still, others want the dispute to end because it is costing the city thousands of dollars in overtime to protect the statute from those threatening to vandalize and/or tear it down without approval.

According to Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar, “Altogether with the initial costs for overtime and for police officers to be present and renting barricades, the cost has been about $65,000 to date.”

The statue was presented as a gift to the city in 1905 from the Sons of Italy. The group wants the statue to remain on display. Some protestors have asked that the statue be placed in a museum, while others want it destroyed.

The mayor has called on Pueblo city native Frank Galvez to resolve the matter through mediation. Galvez understands the history of the city and is familiar with the cultures that live in the city. Galvez held his first meeting with the two groups at the beginning of August, but a settlement has not yet been reached.