Live Like a Local: A Resident’s Guide To Living in Pueblo, CO
Trisha Macias, a lifelong resident of Pueblo, CO, is the director of finance, strategy and operations at Colorado State University Pueblo Extended Studies. Her family, which includes her husband and four sons, love calling the city home.
Trisha Macias
Lifelong Pueblo resident
Macias is active in the community, including sitting on the board of the Pueblo Boys & Girls Club and the UCHealth Parkview Foundation. As a local expert, she shared some of her family’s favorite spots.
What’s your favorite local restaurant and what dish do you always order there?
We have a lot of Mexican food in Pueblo, and every restaurant is slightly different and good in its own unique way. We love the Cactus Flower, and I always order the same thing — chicken enchiladas with the hot and mild green chili mixed — even though they have a huge menu.
We also love Mi Ranchito and Nachos. (Actually, I have a picture of myself there with Michelle Obama, when she was campaigning.)
Of course, we also eat at Gray’s Coors Tavern probably once a week. The owners are friends, and both my younger boys work there. We get the half slopper (an open-faced cheeseburger smothered in green chili) and fries. They also serve their beer in a frosted mug with a salt rim, ice and limes, and that’s the only way I’ll drink my beer.
Is there a hidden gem of a coffee shop or bar that you love?
I try to support local, so I prefer Solar Roast over chains because they have done so much locally to employ people and establish their business here. They have a location here on our campus, which is a great place to meet up with friends, but they have several locations around town.
Banquet Schusters Bakery is a family staple for the holidays, so I’ll be waiting in line for my Thanksgiving order there. The Sacred Bean is another great local coffee shop with a nice atmosphere that’s locally owned.
Where do you go to see live music or entertainment?
The Abriendo Inn has started having live music. They’ve become a venue for special events like weddings and high tea, so it has turned into a little destination in Pueblo. Ruby’s is a great place to meet up for brunch or happy hour drinks.
What’s a great place to spend a rainy afternoon?
I serve on the Pueblo City-County Library Board of Trustees, and I just love everything that the library does. They have so many programs — chess club, crocheting clubs, quilting and book clubs. They’re just community hubs, and there’s always something to do. They also have a fantastic used book shop called Books Again; it’s just adorable, and the proceeds fund the library’s programs. I’m an avid reader, so it’s my go-to. We tend to be outdoorsy, though, because we don’t get many rainy days in Pueblo.
Are there any dog-friendly hiking trails or parks you recommend?
Pueblo West has a pretty extensive trail system for biking or walking dogs. You can go from Pueblo West to the reservoir and all the way downtown. Everything is connected, so that’s a nice bonus.
There are different activities along the trail, too. You can fish, kayak, or stop by the park or the nature center.
What’s a lesser-known spot in town that you think deserves more attention?
I love the Do Drop Inn, which is just a great place to go get a pizza. There’s also a great little boutique called RazMaTaz, which is cute. We do a lot of golfing because we are members of the country club, but we also love the Elmwood Golf Course and the Desert Hawk Golf Course. Then, we have the Impossible Players, and they always put on fantastic productions.
Get to Know Pueblo, CO
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