City of Pueblo

The City of Pueblo is looking to hire a PR firm to help evaluate its relationship with Black Hills/Colorado Electric Utility Co. and study whether it makes economic sense to set up a city-owned power company.

Pueblo’s 10-year supply contract with Black Hills expires Aug. 11, 2020.

On Sept. 25, 2017, the City Council declared Pueblo's intent to create a municipal utility, if a due diligence feasibility study showed "municipalization" was an economical feasibility option.

The PR firm will facilitate “thoughtful collaboration with the City Council, administrative staff, key community stakeholders and the public,” according to the city’s RFQ.

It will help “develop an appropriate approach and plan for communications based on stakeholder information needs to keep citizens and other stakeholders informed about the proposed utility, the process of forming the proposed utility, the benefits the community will realize progress of the work, and addresses any challenges from the incumbent provider.”

The communications will promote transparency and accurately reflect the challenges and benefits of establishing a municipal electric utility.

The deadline to submit proposals is May 16. Proposals are required to include project name, “Request for Qualifications for a Public Relations Firm for Municipalization of Utility Services Project” and project number, 18-054, on the outside of the submittal package and on any email.

Responses are sent to:  City of Pueblo, Purchasing Dept., 230 S. Mechanic St., Pueblo, CO 81003.

Emails go to:  Naomi Hedden, director of purchasing, at [email protected] or john Vigil, assistant city manager, at [email protected].