Welcome, Pueblo readers! 

Including our neighbors to the south in the BEACON has been a longtime goal—a dream, really. If you visited our website in the past, you may have noticed Pueblo on the home page, with “Coming soon!” 

And here we are. We couldn’t be more pleased.

We’ve expanded our page count to include regular Pueblo and Fremont County content, including a local event calendar, Beacon Bits, Question of the Month and Fun After 50 Senior Center Activities. 

We’ll also feature stories of seniors giving back to the community, like this month’s cover story on David Hayden, photographer-in-residence at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center.

I’ve made a few Pueblo memories of my own. I strolled along the serene Riverwalk and through the crazy-busy State Fair. I polished off a Passkey sausage sandwich—delicious! I laughed my way through “Menopause: The Musical” at Memorial Hall. And I noted the excellent care my aunt received at St. Mary-Corwin Hospital when I visited her there. 

Here’s a life hack. If you need the DMV’s services in a hurry, skip El Paso County crowds and drive to Pueblo. I took my son for his state ID and later, for his learner’s permit (and he got some great practice driving back to Colorado Springs). 

My Pueblo to-do list includes sampling the city’s delicious Mexican food and those famous sloppers (cheeseburgers smothered in green chili). Must try. Ditto the Chile Festival—why have I never been? 

I hope to see Neon Alley glowing at night, check out Pueblo’s great libraries (pun intended) and take a relaxing boat ride on the river. 

Pueblo boasts the single largest art project on the planet: the levee holding the Arkansas River is painted with thousands of massive murals. I’m hearing talk of a Leonardo da Vinci Museum. If those doors open, I’ll hop on 1-25 and head south in a heartbeat.

I’m grateful for David Hayden, Marilyn Vujcich, Luke Lyons and the BEACON’s own resident Puebloan, Andi Falcone, for lending local support to this issue.

Please email me with Pueblo-area story ideas, events, clubs or support groups at [email protected]. 

FAREWELL, DANIEL

Last month’s cover story on Torie Giffin, owner of the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, included her journey of caring for her 17-year-old son, Daniel. At 11, he had the health and strength to ride his unicycle up Pikes Peak—a fourteener! Months later, he was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer. 

On June 22, three days after the July issue went to press, Daniel’s courageous battle ended and he “graduated to heaven,” in his family’s words. His memorial service at Weidner Field drew hundreds. 

Memorial contributions may be made in Daniel Giffin’s name to the Children’s Hospital of Colorado Foundation.

Our hearts are with the Giffin family during this difficult time. We are grateful they allowed us to share a part of Daniel’s story.