Pueblo council member health declining, according to family

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- A sad update about a longtime Pueblo City Council Member and a familiar face in the Bessemer neighborhood.

According to his family, Ray Aguilera's health is declining. His daughter recently told the city council she moved him to her home in the Denver area to be more comfortable. He is currently receiving hospice care.

On January 25, Aguilera suffered a heart attack in the middle of a work session. According to council members, he left to go to the bathroom and when he returned, he was pale and struggled to get back to the dais. That's when he passed out and was unresponsive for several seconds.

The councilman has served Pueblo for more than 14 years as a representative of the 4th District. This was his fourth and final term as a council member.

For the last several years, Aguilera had given back to several Pueblo schools through the Bessemer Christmas Extravaganza. In 2020, more than six hundred families received a box of food, toys for the kids, and other goodies for the holiday season.

The city council says people can send Aguilera Get Well cards by sending them directly to Pueblo City Hall.