Free shuttle — plus something extra — emphasized at Colorado State Fair this year
Scott Harrison
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — As the mid-1700s nursery rhyme explains: Simple Simon met a pieman, going to the fair.
But Simon didn’t have to contend with driving, parking, or traffic congestion — and Colorado State Fair (CSF) attendees don’t have to, either, if they take advantage of the free shuttle service.
Drivers going to the fair will pay $15 to park on CSF-managed lots, and private property owners around the fairgrounds likely will pay even more.
Officials stated that the city’s transit office has collaborated with the CSF to offer a shuttle service for the past ten years, and has been free of cost for the past five years.
This year, a temporary, fair-themed bus stop has been set up outside the downtown parking garage near the police station, featuring an awning for shade, as well as bleacher seating and portable restrooms for added comfort.
For the first time — primarily for out-of-town fairgoers — the shuttle will include a brief historical tour along Union Avenue.
“We’ve previously not been allowed to have buses on Union Avenue,” said Chuck Perez, the city’s transit supervisor. “So, this year, going down Union is a big deal for us. It’s going to be great for the out-of-town visitors to see Union. We’ll also use Orman Avenue, which has some history in Pueblo. The Orman Mansion, for example.”
The shuttle ride from downtown will take approximately 15 minutes, and buses will run between downtown and Gate 5 on the Prairie Avenue side of the fairgrounds every 30 minutes.