City of Pueblo Awards Operations Contract for Pueblo Shelter to SafeSide Recovery

PUEBLO-The City of Pueblo City Council voted unanimously on Monday, June 9 to award SafeSide Recovery Foundation the contract for shelter operations and use of the facilities located at 710 W. 4th St. and 728 W. 4th St. known as the Pueblo Shelter Campus.

"We're excited to have SafeSide Recovery as the official permanent operations manager of the Pueblo Shelter," said Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham. "While they've been operating as the interim oversight, the City is grateful to have a long-term partner in place to provide the stability and oversight necessary to serve our unhoused neighbors in Pueblo."

SafeSide Recovery began interim oversight of the Pueblo Shelter upon dissolution of the former nonprofit The Pueblo Rescue Mission at the end of December 2024. SafeSide Recovery answered a thorough bid and successfully answered the Request for Proposal (RFP), fulfilling the requirements outlined by the City of Pueblo.

"We're honored by the City's trust in SafeSide Recovery and deeply committed to bringing stability, safety, and compassion to the Pueblo Shelter," said President of SafeSide Recovery Rob Miller. "Our vision is rooted in dignity, trauma-informed care, and long-term recovery-not just for individuals, but for the entire community."

In addition to innovative peer recovery support SafeSide Recovery provides through their day programming, they have maintained an excellent relationship with the current staff of the Pueblo Shelter. SafeSide Recovery has prioritized outreach and establishing partnerships in the community to better serve the unhoused population.

Miller continued, "This is more than a contract-it's a partnership with the people of Pueblo. We believe every person deserves respect, safety, and a path forward. Together with the City and our incredible local partners, we're building a shelter that uplifts everyone it touches."

The Pueblo Shelter currently offers a weekly pop-up clinic with Pueblo Community Health Center, weekly counseling services with New Leaf Therapy, monthly mobile dentistry, monthly on-site legal support and SafeSide Recovery is adding a case manager to their staff to better support clients. Twice a month, SafeSide hosts "SafeSide Saturday" for an outreach event which includes a food bank, clothing bank, outside resources and a meal for clients. SafeSide Saturday events take place the second and fourth Saturday of each month.

A project was established in October 2024 to assist with funding and operations of the shelter with an initial allocation of $200,000. In April 2025, City Council added an additional $464,847.70 to the account to assist the permanent operator with the remainder of the fiscal year upon award of the operation contract. The City of Pueblo also recently secured a Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grant award approved on May 12, 2025, for developing a capital improvement plan for the Pueblo Shelter.

SafeSide Recovery's mission is to provide modern, innovative peer recovery support to Coloradoans facing addiction, mental health challenges and the complex issues that arise from them, including homelessness incarceration, job loss, or loss of family. Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS) are certified coaches and are committed to guiding and walking alongside each individual on their unique journey to happiness and stability. For more information about SafeSide Recovery visit safesiderecovery.com.