CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO

This Sister City relationship is about 18 years old. Because of it’s proximity to us, only 800 miles away, it has had the highest degree of participation from both sides. Annually we host runners from Chihuahua who participate in the Cinco de Mayo 10K race. They have won 9 out the last 10 races. Likewise we have sent Pueblo runners to participate in the Marathon in Chihuahua.

Annually, Pueblo hosts the “Paper Cup Tennis Tournament” where some 250 players gather to compete. Chihuahua players Amado Ruiz and Cesar Obieta have won the tournament. Chihuahua has also won the doubles category on two occasions.

For about ten years, Chihuahua and Pueblo had a student exchange program between CBTIS #122 and Colegios de Bachilleres in Chihuahua and, Centennial, Central, East and South High Schools in Pueblo. Hundreds of students experienced this cultural and educational opportunities. We had four students as well as two teachers that met and got married after meeting their counterparts through the exchange program.

The University of Southern Colorado (USC) also had a very active exchange program with Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua and Universidad Regional Del Norte. Chihuahua Racquetball players, as USC students, helped USC attain National Championships for five years. USC Faculty members have lectured in Chihuahua Universities and Chihuahua professors have done the same at USC. Three groups of 20 students each from USC experienced a 10 day exchange in Chihuahua.

The Ballet Folklorico “Rarajipame” has performed in Pueblo sixteen times; this group has national and international recognition having traveled to South America, Europe and Asia representing Mexico.

Dr. Jacob Chi, a professor at Colorado State University-Pueblo and director of the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra, conducted the Chihuahua Symphony Orchestra and the University of Chihuahua Symphony Orchestra at concerts in our Sister City. Chihuahua will send a group singers and musicians to perform with the Pueblo Symphony at a concert during the month November 2005.

The Colorado State fair is held annually in Pueblo, around that time, many dignitaries visit us. Past visitors have included the mayors of Chihuahua and Puebla as well as Mr. Patricio Martinez, Governor of Chihuahua who met with Colorado Governor Bill Owens to talk about economic development, trade and tourism issues. The meeting was facilitated by the commission. Last year (2005) we hosted delegations from Puebla and Chihuahua to include Puebla Mayor Dr. Enrique Doguer, Chihuahua Mayor C.P. Juan Blanco and Chihuahua Governor Lie. Jose Reyes Baeza

We have exchanged Police Officers and Firefighters for brief periods. We have counterparts on our water treatment procedures as well as waste water treatment. The City has donated two fire trucks and the hospitals have sent thousands of dollars in medical supplies. The statue of Diana the Huntress that adorns the Pueblo Depot is a gift from Governor Martinez and his friends from Chihuahua.