Hispanic community remembers Pueblo pioneer

An icon in Pueblo’s Hispanic community has died.

Henry Reyes died Monday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Reyes spent more than 40 years working in Spanish radio in Southern Colorado. He also brought Fiesta Day to the Colorado State Fair and served on Pueblo City Council.

“He was a trailblazer. He was breaking down the barriers and doing the things that needed to be done,” said Sandy Gutierrez, president and CEO of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo.

“Many people would tell you that dad was very proud to be a Mexican but even more so to be called Mexican-American,” said Tom Reyes, one of Henry’s 10 children.

Reyes was 83 years old.