Pueblo Motorsports Park Fee Considered
By Laurie Ciprianol.cipriano@krdo.com
PUEBLO – It could soon cost you to ride four wheelers and dirt bikes at Pueblo Motorsports Park. Pueblo City Council may consider going from free to charging a fee.
“Pueblo has always been a popular place for people in Colorado to travel to, and they’ve always loved riding this area especially,” said Dwight Catalano.
The park is a recreational hot spot. For years, the 2,000-acre park has been open to the public. Tom Abbott, Program Coordinator for Pueblo Motorsports Park, tells NEWSCHANNEL 13 that a fee will generate the revenue necessary for park upgrades. “The city just doesn’t have the money,” said Abbott.
The potential proposal is getting mixed reviews. “It’s expensive enough,” said off-road enthusiast Gary Harbert, who is against charging a fee. “If they’re going to add additional fees for it, I think people will probably pick their favorite tracks to go to and weed out some of the ones that charge for it.” Despite his opposition to the fee, Harbert would still like to see some improvements. “It has a lot of potential here. They need to work on it more.”
Dwight Catalano is in favor of the fee. “As far as keeping riding areas open for all riders and enthusiasts, I feel a little tax would just help keep the programs going around here, and just keep kids progressively involved and out of trouble,” said Catalano. “I think it would be just a small fee to pay for the benefits that we’re all going to get.”
Abbott says he would like to see bathrooms added, as well as an RV park. “If we can generate money from people visiting the park, then we can get those things done.”
He says the money charged will go straight to the park. “It’s an enterprise, so any money that is generated from the park, stays in the park. It doesn’t go to city coffers. We need to be self sufficient.”
“I think anything the county can do to keep the tourism money down in the southern part of Colorado is a great thing for all businesses. It will enhance the whole economy down here,” said Catalano. “Let’s do it for the kids. Let’s do it for the economy. Let’s do it for the country.”
If Pueblo City Council approves the move, Abbot says the public may have option of paying a daily entry fee, or an annual one. “I would like to get it done sometime this spring, or early summer,” said Abbott.
