Puebla, Mexico

Heróica Puebla de Zaragoza

Distance from Pueblo: 1,385 mi

A Brief History
Puebla was initially contacted over 30 years ago by Dr. J. Victor Hopper, then President of Southern Colorado State College, following an initiative from President Eisenhower of people to people exchanges. Dr. Hopper and a delegation from Pueblo were invited to visit Puebla to meet with city officials to discuss the Sister Cities relationship. After their fruitful visit, then City Councilman Henry Reyes initiated a Sister City program.

Puebla has seven universities, one of which, the Universidad Popular Autonoma de Puebla, had for some time a relationship with the University of Southern Colorado. Due to Mr. Reyes' Sister City trips to Puebla, hundreds of Pueblo residents have traveled to the beautiful city over the past 30 years.

Visitations
Numerous Puebla dignitaries, Councilmen, Chamber of Commerce representatives, etc., have visited Pueblo. In addition, the world-renowned Puebla Coro Normalista, the most famous college choir in Mexico, has been to Pueblo several times. They have not only performed at the Colorado State Fair and local schools but put on a fabulous concert at Memorial Hall accompanied by the Pueblo Symphony.

Pueblo sent one of their best song and dance groups to Puebla. The Okolitza Tamburitzas performed for full audiences during their visit to our Sister City. Additionally, several years ago, local photographer Jack Avalos arranged for an Art Exhibit from Puebla to be held at the lobby of the Colorado National Bank.

Gift Exchanges
The beautiful eagle sculpture that sits in front of City Hall, in the Puebla-Pueblo Plaza, is a gift from our Sister City Puebla; we in turn placed a Ken Williams sculpture in Puebla.

Annual Events
Sponsored by the Pueblo Chieftain, Pueblo hosts one of the largest tennis tournaments in the state, annually, some 250 tennis players come to Pueblo to participate. Puebla has sent representatives on two occasions having won the menÕs singles (Luis Fernandez) and menÕs doubles (Luis Fernandez and Fidel Moreno) open categories.