PUEBLO, CO – The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Visit Pueblo, is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Pueblo Slopper Tour Presented by Mission Foods and KOAA 5. This annual celebration invites locals and visitors alike to vote for their favorite Slopper in Pueblo County.
Voting opens Monday, March 23, 2026, and will be available online at VisitPueblo.org/Slopper. Southern Colorado residents are encouraged to cast their votes for the Slopper they believe deserves recognition. Online voting will close on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM MT.
The top 10 Slopper Stops of 2026, along with the announcement of the 2026 Slopper Tour Champion, will be revealed on Friday, April 17, 2026, via the official Facebook pages of Visit Pueblo and the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. The current 2025 champion, Cactus Flower, will pass the honor to the new winner.
Each restaurant that earns a place in the top 10 will receive a customized stop sign decal, signaling to the public that they are an official 2026 Slopper Stop. The Slopper Tour Champion will also be awarded the traveling Slopper Tour trophy for one year.
Following the announcement, the 2026 Slopper Week celebration will take place from Monday, April 20 through Monday, April 27, 2026. During this week, the community is encouraged to visit their favorite Slopper Stops. On the final day of Slopper Week, the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce will host Slopper Trucks in its parking lot at 302 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Pueblo, CO.
Participants are encouraged to retain their itemized receipts as proof of Slopper purchases. Receipts must include a purchase date between April 20–27, 2026, and participants should write their name and phone number on the back of each receipt. Receipts may be submitted to the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce until 5:00 PM on April 27, 2026.
One lucky participant will be selected in a drawing on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, to receive $250 cash courtesy of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce.
For additional information on the 2026 Pueblo Slopper Tour, please visit VisitPueblo.org/Slopper or contact:
Cara J Siegel | Director of Tourism
Phone: 719.696.2896 | Email: cara@pueblochamber.net
PUEBLO, Colo. — The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Business Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Pueblo Convention Center. The luncheon is presented by InBank, with corporate sponsors H.W. Houston Construction and Comcast.
Each year, the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce recognizes outstanding leadership and business excellence in the Pueblo community through the Business of the Year Award and the prestigious “Charles W. Crews” Business Leader of the Year Award. These honors celebrate organizations and individuals whose leadership, innovation, and dedication help strengthen Pueblo’s economy and community.
Business of the Year
The 2026 Business of the Year Award will be presented to MxV Rail.
MxV Rail, formerly known as Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), has been a vital part of Colorado’s rail industry for more than 40 years. Its presence in Pueblo began in 1982, when the Federal Railroad Administration formed a public-private partnership with the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to manage operations at the Transportation Technology Center located northeast of Pueblo.
In 1998, AAR established Transportation Technology Center, Inc. to conduct industry research, testing, and site operations. Over the next two decades, TTCI became a national leader in rail research, engineering, testing, and safety innovation, helping improve freight rail reliability and system performance across North America.
In 2021, TTCI’s long-standing operational contract concluded, and a new operator assumed control of the Transportation Technology Center in 2022. That same year, AAR rebranded TTCI as MxV Rail, marking the next evolution of its mission.
MxV Rail has since begun developing state-of-the-art independent facilities at PuebloPlex, investing more than $60 million in new rail testing infrastructure. This strategic investment ensures that MxV Rail’s specialized workforce and advanced capabilities remain rooted in Pueblo.
MxV Rail also maintains strong partnerships with the community and education institutions. Through collaboration with Colorado State University Pueblo, local schools, and national transportation partners, the organization helps support workforce development and research initiatives that prepare the next generation of transportation professionals.
A key contributor to Pueblo’s civic and economic landscape is the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC), a division of MxV Rail and a national leader in hazardous materials and emergency response training. SERTC has trained more than 70,000 emergency responders and welcomed dozens of first responders each week, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and businesses during their time in Pueblo.
Through its continued investment, industry leadership, and commitment to community partnerships, MxV Rail remains a major contributor to Pueblo’s economic vitality and a global leader in rail research and innovation.
“Charles W. Crews” Business Leader of the Year
The 2026 “Charles W. Crews” Business Leader of the Year Award will be presented to Mark “Yak” Maryak, Program Manager and Director of Flight Training for CAE’s Pueblo Training Center.
Maryak retired from the United States Air Force in 2007 after an impressive 20-year military career that included commanding a B-52 squadron during both peacetime and combat operations. After retiring from the Air Force, he moved to Pueblo in 2008 to work for Doss Aviation at the Pueblo Memorial Airport as an Instructor Pilot for the U.S. Air Force’s Initial Flight Training (IFT) program.
Doss Aviation was later acquired by CAE, an international company specializing in aviation training and simulation for both the civilian and defense sectors. Less than a year after arriving in Pueblo, Maryak assumed increasing leadership roles within the organization, eventually becoming Chief Pilot, where he led a team of 85 instructor pilots responsible for training approximately 1,300 U.S. and partner nation military students each year.
In 2022, Maryak was promoted to Program Manager and Director of Flight Training for CAE’s Pueblo Training Center. In this role, he oversees an operation employing more than 170 people and manages all aspects of the program, including flight operations, aircraft maintenance, security, lodging, facilities, food service, and student welfare.
Under Maryak’s leadership, CAE’s Pueblo Training Center has flown over 500,000 hours and graduated more than 25,000 student pilots, while maintaining an outstanding aviation safety record with zero fatalities and an accident rate significantly lower than the general aviation industry.
When the Air Force announced plans to restructure its pilot training process in 2026, creating uncertainty for the future of the Pueblo Training Center, Maryak remained committed to protecting the program and the jobs it provides to the community. He has worked tirelessly to prepare the largest contract rebid in the center’s history while expanding opportunities for the facility.
Maryak’s leadership extends beyond aviation. He actively supports the Pueblo community through his involvement with the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Military AffairsCommittee and as Vice President of the Board of Directors for GOAL High School, where he helps guide initiatives supporting student success and educational opportunity.
Join us in celebrating these exceptional individuals by securing a ticket to the 2026 Business Awards Luncheon. Tickets are priced at $40 per person, or you can opt for a Table Sponsorship at $600. As a table sponsor, you will enjoy eight seats at the luncheon, along with social media recognition and your business logo featured in the event program.
To RSVP for the luncheon, contact Terri Kallish at terrik@pueblochamber.net or 719.542.1704.
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About the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce serves as the leading voice for business in Pueblo and the surrounding region. The Chamber works to strengthen the local economy by supporting business growth, advocating pro-business policies, fostering leadership development, and creating opportunities for collaboration among businesses, community leaders, and organizations.
Through events, programs, and strategic partnerships, the Chamber helps build a vibrant business environment that supports economic prosperity and enhances the quality of life in Pueblo.
For more information, visit pueblochamber.org.
Media Contact:
Krystle Herrera
Communications Coordinator
krystle@pueblochamber.net
719.621.4420
pueblochamber.org
PUEBLO, Colo. – The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a $20,000 Tourism Management Grant from the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). The grant will support the development of a Destination Management Plan for Pueblo, designed to align the city’s growing visitor economy with the community’s character, residents’ quality of life, and long-term vision for sustainable tourism.
The grant is part of the CTO’s 2026 Tourism Management Grant Program, which awarded $222,456 to 13 organizations across Colorado to support innovative tourism initiatives that enhance visitor experiences and strengthen local economies.
“Visitors who come to Colorado from across the nation and the world help drive local economies across the state,” said Governor Jared Polis. “That is why investing in local organizations to boost tourism is good for visitors, our economy, and our future. I am excited to see how these investments can attract more visitors to communities across our beautiful state and improve visitor experience.”
The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce/Visit Pueblo will employ the Colorado-based firm Mission2Market to develop a comprehensive Destination Management Plan. The plan will aim to foster sustainable tourism growth through stakeholder engagement and industry collaboration while preserving Pueblo’s unique community character. By working closely with local businesses and partners, the project ensures the resulting strategies directly reflect the needs and priorities of the Pueblo community.
“This grant allows us to take a thoughtful and strategic approach to tourism in Pueblo,” said Donielle Kitzman/ Vice President of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. “By creating a Destination Management Plan that is adopted by local leadership, we can ensure that tourism continues to support businesses, strengthen our economy, and enhance the quality of life for residents while providing meaningful experiences for visitors.”
The Tourism Management Grant program supports projects aligned with the Colorado Tourism Office’s strategic pillars of economic vitality, industry leadership, and destination stewardship. By investing in infrastructure, education, outreach, and planning initiatives, the program helps cultivate a resilient and innovative tourism ecosystem across Colorado.
“Tourism Management Grants empower local leaders to improve the visitor experience across Colorado,” said Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of OEDIT. “By supporting these local efforts, we can help strengthen Colorado’s tourism industry and economy while benefiting both residents and visitors.”
“CTO is committed to supporting tourism priorities in communities across the state,” added CTO Director Timothy Wolfe. “These Tourism Management Grants provide resources that help expand local capacity and bring community-driven tourism projects to life.”
Organizations from communities including Cripple Creek, Grand Junction, Ouray, Pagosa Springs, Saguache County, and Pueblo were among the recipients of this year’s funding, supporting projects ranging from wayfinding and navigation improvements to visitor engagement initiatives and strategic planning.
About the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce operates as Visit Pueblo, under a contract with the City of Pueblo to provide tourism sales and promotion services for the community. The mission of Visit Pueblo is to support, advocate for, and promote the tourism industry in Pueblo and the surrounding region. Through partnerships, leadership, and economic development initiatives, the Chamber strives to strengthen the local economy and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
About the Colorado Tourism Office
The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is a division of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The mission of the CTO is to empower the tourism industry by inspiring the world to explore Colorado responsibly and respectfully. In 2024, Colorado travelers spent $28.5 billion, generating $1.9 billion in local and state revenues and reducing the tax burden for every Colorado household by $816. Learn more at www.colorado.com.
Media Contact:
Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
Krystle Herrera
Communications Coordinator
719-542-1704
krystle@pueblochamber.net
(Pueblo, CO) - Visit Pueblo joins the growing list of Colorado destinations to receive “Destination Verified” status by Wheel the World following the conclusion of the Colorado Tourism Office’s (CTO) inaugural Accessible Travel program. This program is a strategic partnership with the CTO and Wheel the World. It offers destinations across Colorado the opportunity to advance Colorado’s commitment to providing welcoming, inclusive, and accessible experiences for everyone.
To earn the “Destination Verified” status, Visit Pueblo facilitated the mapping process in collaboration with Wheel the World for 23 tourism businesses. The site mapping process included gathering detailed accessibility information that meets Wheel The World’s minimum standards for accessibility. The CTO’s Accessible Travel program provided participants with a guiding report, access to the Wheel the World training academy, and listings on Wheel the World’s accessible travel booking platform.
“As accessible experiences becomes an essential pillar of modern tourism, Visit Pueblo is committed to ensuring the city is inclusive for all, where barriers are removed and possibilities are limitless,” said Donielle Kitzman, Vice President of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce & Visit Pueblo.
Visit Pueblo began its work on the Accessible Travel Program by convening a core team of local tourism stakeholders to provide input throughout its design and delivery. Visit Pueblo hosted three core team meetings to identify priority barriers and opportunities for advancing accessibility, engage program stakeholders, discuss findings from site assessments, inform promotional opportunities, and explore solutions to enhance accessibility offerings. The 23 sites included are:
1. Historic Arkansas Riverwalk Pueblo
2. Sangre de Cristo Arts Center
3. Memorial Hall
4. El Pueblo History Museum
5. Weisbrod Aircraft Museum
6. Impossible Playhouse
7. Brues Alehouse Brewing Company
8. Fuel & Iron Food Hall
9. Cactus Flower
10. Gray’s Coors Tavern
11. Lake Pueblo State Park
12. CSU Pueblo - Thunder Bowl Stadium Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center
13. Pueblo Zoo
14. SpringHill Suites
15. TownePlace Suites Downtown
16. Angelo’s Pizza Parlor
17. El Centro de Quinto Sol
18. Pueblo Pillars Park/Levee Walk Murals
19. Minnequa Park Sports Complex
20. Blo Back Gallery
21. Pueblo Heritage Museum
Visit Pueblo in partnership with Pueblo Diversified Industries will be honoring these 23 certified sites during Pueblo Diversified Industries - Inclusion Day at the Pueblo Zoo on Saturday, July 12, highlighting the community’s commitment to accessibility and inclusive adventure. This event will include a ceremony at 11:00am, that will award all 23 sites with their Accessible Travel verifications from Wheel the World.
"We are incredibly proud to see Colorado destinations achieve 'Destination Verified' status through our Accessible Travel Program," said Timothy Wolfe, CTO Director. "This initiative underscores our unwavering commitment to making Colorado a welcoming and accessible place for all travelers, ensuring that everyone can experience the beauty and adventure our state has to offer."
Wheel The World is an accessible travel booking platform that provides detailed, verified accessibility information, offering a user-friendly experience with a focus on accessibility. Through a Destination Verified program, Wheel the World helps destinations assess, improve, and promote their accessibility to reach the market of travelers with disabilities and their companions.
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For more information about the Accessible Travel Program, please visit the program website: https://oedit.colorado.gov/programs-and-funding/colorado-tourism-office/accessible-travel- program
ABOUT VISIT PUEBLO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Visit Pueblo Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official tourism organization for the City of Pueblo, dedicated to promoting the area as a premier destination for leisure travel, meetings, conventions, and events.
ABOUT COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE
The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is a division of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The mission of the CTO is to empower the tourism industry by inspiring the world to explore Colorado responsibly and respectfully. The CTO seeks to advance the strength and resilience of the entire industry through collaboration, inclusivity, innovation and leadership. In 2023, Colorado travelers spent $28.2 billion, generating $1.8 billion in local and state revenues, a 5.7% increase from the previous year. For more information, please visit www.colorado.com.