Pueblo mayor names first female chief of Pueblo Fire Department

Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar has chosen Barbara Huber as the next chief of the Pueblo Fire Department. She will be the first woman to ever hold the position.

Gradisar announced his choice Thursday afternoon, saying that Huber beat out six other candidates for the job that became available when Chief Shawn Shelton retired.

Huber, who is currently a captain, has been with the Pueblo Fire Department since 1998. She will take over from Deputy Chief Rick Potter, who has served as interim chief since Shelton’s retirement in April.

Gradisar chose Huber because she possesses “the leadership and skills the department needs to move forward,” said the Pueblo Fire Department in a written statement. Gradisar said all six candidates were ‘outstanding’ and that making the decision was not easy. His ultimate decision was inspired by his belief that the community wants to change the status quo — one of the reasons he was elected mayor.

In a statement, Gradisar said that he feels Huber “is the best person to lead the department as its moves forward and reflects the diversity of the Pueblo community and the call to adapt to cultural changes occurring in fire departments nationwide.”