Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center Executive Director Brian Estrada, of Pueblo, has been selected as the Colorado small business development network's 2022 State Star Award recipient.

Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center Executive Director Brian Estrada, of Pueblo, has been selected as the Colorado Small Business Development Network’s 2022 State Star Award recipient.

The award is the highest recognition for individual achievement, acknowledging and celebrating exemplary performance that has a significant and positive impact on advancing small business efforts. Estrada has served in his leadership roll since September 2020.

Initially, he focused on COVID-19 education and helping business owners communicate with their customers. Collaborating with city, county and state partners, he helped raise funds and launch several new programs including an e-commerce program for businesses that did not have an online presence.

Through the Digital Empowerment Program, he also secured 1,000 computers to be distributed across southern Colorado.

“It is an honor to be a part of the team and the many community partnerships that made these programs possible. When we work together, we reach more businesses and individuals and that leads to a much greater impact,” he said.

For more information about the Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center, call 719-549-3245 or email [email protected].

Pueblo muralist Shannon Palmer recently completed a 100-foot-long mural on the Arkansas River Levee detailing the 140-year history of St. Mary-Corwin Hospital.

Murals celebrating St. Mary-Corwin hospital’s 140th anniversary

Pueblo muralist Shannon Palmer, also known as “deadhand,” recently completed a 100-foot-long mural on the Arkansas River Levee detailing the 140-year history of Pueblo’s oldest hospital, St. Mary-Corwin.

The mural is Palmer’s largest to date and took about six months to complete. It can be seen on the levee near the Fourth Street Bridge.