The Mayor's Mixtape

The Mayor's Mixtape-Episode 53

• City of Pueblo

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Episode 53 of the Mayor's Mixtape welcomes At-Large Councilor Selena Ruiz-Gomez. She shares with Mayor Graham and the listener about why she got involved with local government, her goals while serving on City Council and more about her professional background. Councilor Ruiz-Gomez and Mayor Graham share about their commitment to Pueblo and working with City Council and the Mayor's Office. 

Welcome And How To Engage

Haley Sue Robinson

Welcome to the 53rd episode of the Mayor's Mixtape. I am Haley Sue Robinson, Director of Public Affairs for the City of Pueblo.

Mayor, Heather Graham

I'm Heather Graham, City of Pueblo Mayor.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

And I am Selena Ruiz Gomez, Councilor at Large.

Haley Sue Robinson

Awesome. Great to have you, Councilor.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Thank you. Thank you for having me.

Haley Sue Robinson

Yeah, thanks for joining us this morning.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Absolutely.

Selena's Story And Pueblo Roots

Haley Sue Robinson

I'd like to remind the listener that we're available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, BuzzSprout, wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch us on local channel 17. And I would encourage you to like, subscribe, and share the podcast with your friends. And don't forget if you have a question or a topic suggestion for Mayor Graham to cover, you can email us at mayor@pueblo.us. All right, so Councilor Ruiz Gomez, welcome to the podcast. We're excited to have you here today. Um you're currently in your first year of your uh first four-year term on council, and you're the work session chair for City Council. Um let's get to know you a little bit. Tell us a little bit about yourself in case our listeners maybe this is their first time meeting you.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Okay, great. Uh well, good morning, Pueblo. I'm happy to be here today. Thank you, Mayor Graham, and your staff for having me. Um, so um again, my name is Selena Ruiz Gomez, and um in my day job, actually, I am a licensed professional counselor. Um I've been working in the field now for almost 15 years. Um I'd like to say that um I am Pueblo Grown. I where I was born in Denver and grew up in El Paso, Texas when I was 15. My family moved back here. Um my my family, my mother's family is very, very established in the Pueblo community um with ties to to the grove. We still have our home on on uh D Street. Um so it's very uh cool to do that and uh been very fortunate to have been able to come to Pueblo at a at a just kind of a different age. I was 15 and gone to school here and and been educated here in this community, went to college here and employed here my whole life. Um so it's I think it's very uh a very unique piece of my story to say that um my story is full circle in being rooted here in Pueblo and uh being feeling very blessed to have been invested in in this community and being able to use my skills and talents to invest back into Pueblo.

Haley Sue Robinson

I think uh I think it's pretty obvious that you have strong ties in Pueblo because you had the largest crowd I have ever seen for uh the swearing in for the swearing-in ceremony. Um we asked folks who were just coming for just the meeting and not for the swearing in if they could leave the chambers so more friends and family could come in for uh counsel. And we couldn't even take your picture up at the dais with everybody that came to support you because there were so many people. So uh I think it's obvious that you have strong roots and strong ties in Pueblo.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Yes, I couldn't um have a very big and and beautiful family here in Pueblo, and um we um one of the things that I think that our family values is showing up for each other when it's necessary, and um so yeah, that's just all the friends and fam.

Why She Ran For Council

Haley Sue Robinson

That's great.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Yeah.

Haley Sue Robinson

So uh what made you decide to get involved in local government and throw your hat in the ring for politics?

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Oh well, I I could tell you that, like, um I've always been interested in politics. My family is a very political, savvy family. We talk about politics at the dinner table all the time, even with the young ones. Um, my grandmother in El Paso was a community organizer, my dad and my mother were both union laborers. Um, so it's always been um that of a conversation and a culture in my family, and in college, it kind of stemmed even further after I uh did a a semester at the legislator.

Haley Sue Robinson

Okay.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

And learning about how that goes. So that just kind of fueled my passion for people and for policy. Um, but one of the biggest things that made me run for office was um with the um outcome of the your your idea, your neighborhood project, and how I felt being involved with that and making it um a piece of like an exploration for Pueblo and shared governance and just kind of how that all turned out. Um, just made me want to bring a voice back to Pueblo and into government and understanding what that means. And um, so that made me run and and uh was one one of the main motivators, but to be quite honest, um um it was a lot of contemplation to decide. Um I didn't know if there was a path to win. Um, and uh took a lot of convincing um to make the decision. So I'm glad I did it. It was a beautiful journey, a hard journey, challenging journey. Um, but I'm grateful for everyone who who believed in me, stood with me, and helped me make it make it happen.

Haley Sue Robinson

I think uh maybe surprisingly to some folks, uh you and Mayor Graham actually have a lot in common, both being uh when you first were elected at large city counselors, uh young women in the community. Um Mayor, we've we've had you share some, you know, uh maybe things that you've learned or suggestions that you have to new counsel. I know uh counselor Ruiz Gomez has had a couple of months under her belt, but is there any advice that maybe you would give?

Mayor, Heather Graham

I think just you know tra stay true to your convictions and your story and why you ran. You know, even when you're feeling challenged, which will probably be every week. Um you know, you were elected by the people and you you were really elected by the people because I know you you got a ton of

Haley Sue Robinson

It was overwhelmingly the the most votes by any council member.

Mayor, Heather Graham

Yep, and so um I really like uh Selena's the way she runs the work sessions. Um it's very prompt and um she keeps everybody in line and on time. Um and that's something that we haven't seen uh for the last couple of years. Um and so I really I think you're doing an excellent um job at that and really bringing back some decorum to the city council work sessions that we didn't previously have. Previously it was kind of just like a free-for-all. Um and so I really like the way you um keep everybody keep it going and keep the conversation uh tactful and um uh informative uh for the viewers because I think that that's the most important thing.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Thank you. I appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

Haley Sue Robinson

Uh so counselor, can you share with us uh some of your goals that you have over the next four years or maybe even just in your in your first year in office?

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Okay. Um so I think that um it's no secret that the the previous council was not a a group that worked well together. Um and that was a a large reason why I think that the direction of the election with the shift in the you know changed. Um so you know, being a therapist and not that I've tried to therapize the council, but but you know, I understand um the importance with groups and people that the foundation is that rapport building. So um it's been a couple of months, and I think that that was um the main thing for now is to spend this first piece um building rapport with each of the council members. And I feel like um that has been gone very well from the day of the election. Folks on the council called and were welcoming and open, and all the all my colleagues on the council have been very helpful in in helping the us new ones learn the ropes. Um so I think that that's um gelling in a in a positive direction in in my mind. Um I was very proud of my colleagues at retreat where they all made we all made commitments on how we were gonna work together on the council. So I think building that foundation for me and and being a leader and making those helping to support those relationships to happen was most important for at first. But um I'm very aware of um the community's um need and voice for addressing um mental health and substance use in our community, um, as evidenced by the community needs assessment that was completed two summers ago. And so um I think that moving forward into what's you know left of of the term is to just support and advocate for anything and everything that would support um making sure that we are doing everything we can in in whatever way to make those resources and needs get met in our community.

Boards Bilingual Service Health Equity

Haley Sue Robinson

Sure. And that can happen in a variety of ways, you know, whether it's uh supporting those services at the public shelter or it's uh through support with other nonprofit organizations through CSAC or um maybe through your contingency funds on city council, there's a lot of ways that you as council can advocate or you as the mayor can advocate for those things. Um that's that's exciting. Um speaking speaking of which as far as uh some of your priorities, you also serve on quite a few boards and commissions, and that's part of your role as a councilor. Um can you talk a little bit about what that's like uh or it has been like so far to be on on serve on some of those boards and maybe what you hope to bring um with your background?

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Yes. Um so um the the boards so far I've just um worked on the uh PACOG board, and that's only been a couple months. So haven't had really a lot of action on the boards that I've been assigned to. I'm sure that'll change. Um and I know that there's some wonderful transportation things that are going to be happening um on respect of the PACOG uh board. Um but in the community um there's quite a few things. For example, where I work, there's um a shared governance committee, the it's um a commit a committee that's focused on working to build stronger services for Hispanic and Latinx members in our community to address the gaps in mental health services that are um present. So I serve on that, and that's really important work for me, especially because I'm bilingual and can speak the language. And um

Mayor, Heather Graham

You are bilingual?

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Oh, see, I'll have to give you an entrevista in español.

Haley Sue Robinson

Okay, there we go.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Yeah.

Haley Sue Robinson

I mean, I've heard a little bit of Spanish from you on the dais, but um I mean I can also speak a little Spanish, but I would never call myself bilingual.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Yeah.

Haley Sue Robinson

Um that's exciting. That's really cool.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Yeah, so my dad's from from Mexico, or immigrated family uh n in 1956. They moved here from Chihuahua, Catarabata, Chihuahua. And I grew up in El Paso, Texas. So I um like it wasn't Spanish or English wasn't my first language. It just was all like

Mayor, Heather Graham

all at once.

Haley Sue Robinson

All both.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Yes, um, it was all at once. Um so and uh growing up in a community like that, it's just kind of like there it is. And um my family at the time, we just always spoke English or Spanish as a choice, but we knew English, you know. So yeah, so um that's um servicing that um my community and my culture and and the folks in my cultures and recognizing those needs is really important. So I appreciate that opportunity and recognizing that the company I work for values the shared governance and letting the folks who do the work address the the work. Um and then I also do like work with um on another committee that's for mental health providers for training and wellness, and because um this is hard work to our job. Um folks who work in mental health, it's it's it's rough, it's rough out there, and um so we have to um do what we can to support each other so that we can have good longevity to be there for the community. So that's that's awesome. And then I also serve on the board for Center for Health Progress, and um they are up and an up-and-coming organization in our community, and um in fact, I will say that it was at a convention that Center for Health Progress sent me to in the nation's capital where I committed to running for office two summers ago within the next five years. And then they're like, oh wow, here you are, didn't even take you five years. So so that's um that's the kind of stuff that Center for Health Progress does. And we um are just so focused on um making sure that we're working toward um a more equitable place in our healthcare system um and addressing those. I know right now um we're working on a bill that's gonna address medical debt in our community. Um and you know, we're all one health crisis away from going bankrupt. And so I'm really proud of the uh organization and the work that that's moving on in the legislator and hope that it'll it'll go through. So um, yeah, those are just it's about shared governance and and working for those things that matter most to people and and one thing is healthcare, I think, and their access.

Haley Sue Robinson

That's great. So uh it it's kind of like a nice marriage between your day job and then um your elected position as a councilor and and what you bring um with your background and your knowledge and and how you plan to fit that with serving the the community out outside of what you have already committed to do.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Yeah, it's a very interesting dynamic because I think about well, you always have the opportunity to advance in your career and and um that and it's kind of like sometimes I go to events and see all the all of the bosses and I'm like, hi. And uh it's like just an interesting dynamic. It's like our our therapist is like here, and then it's like on the council, and to kind of see that like just like the grassroots shift um is is really exciting for me and uh and for uh and just let people know that like you can do it. Like, yeah, it's um you can that's what that's what's exciting, is and to just kind of be like, there's the counselor that works every day with people and hears what's up and understands what's going on, and you're in that position to to be impactful in making policy is a oh just a really interesting and great marriage. I think you're right.

Haley Sue Robinson

Well, and and I again I I think there's some similarities as far as that grassroots or someone who doesn't necessarily come from politics and is still working, you know. Mayor Graham, when you were on council, uh people would sometimes be like, You still smell like the kitchen. Um and we're surprised that you

Mayor, Heather Graham

Like you didn't take a shower before you came to City Council?

Haley Sue Robinson

Uh no, I th I don't think that's what I was gonna say. I meant like that you actually cooked.

Mayor, Heather Graham

Yeah, I literally work every day.

Haley Sue Robinson

Yeah,

Mayor, Heather Graham

Councilor Ruiz-Gomez and then shuffle to get here at you know, five thirty and work another five hours, six hours for the community because some there are council people, especially when I was most of the people were retired.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Oh, yeah.

Mayor, Heather Graham

Um and so it we had we had two jobs going on, right? Like your your full-time work and then your city work, and so um it's a little bit different for us.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

It is, it is. It's definitely a balancing act for sure, and I'm just really fortunate and blessed that I have a good I work for a great organization that's supportive and it um it it values me as a clinician um that they're like yeah, let's well let's just figure it out. And I'm like, okay, cool.

Humanizing City Hall And Next Steps

Haley Sue Robinson

Yes. That's exciting to see um that kind of support happen across the community and then to have that professional support um so that you can stay committed to to both pieces. Um speaking of commitment, you know, Mayor Graham, you've you've shared a lot that this year um you have a commitment to really working with the the council and so um it it feels like there's been a shift this year um just in the short few months that we've had in 2026. But can you talk a little bit and maybe share with Councilor Ruiz-Gomez as what that commitment looks like or how you think that relationship will continue to unfold?

Mayor, Heather Graham

Yeah, I mean it's we have eight elected officials um within this government and um you know we have two different roles. So I execute city council's policy. Um they create the policy, I execute it, I do create policy too. Like still a city councilor sometimes because I'm like, hey, this is something we should do that can change the community for better, right? Let's look at improving um the needs and meeting the needs. Um and because I do this for my full-time job, sometimes I see things differently than city council does. So they've been very gracious um when it comes to listening uh to my ideas. Um I meet with the members uh every other week, every other Friday with counselor Ruiz-Gomez, uh Counselor Hernandez and I meet every week, Counselor Boston and I meet every couple weeks, um, Counselor Danti and I meet every couple weeks. And so there's this really good pattern of if there's questions or uh more communication that needs to happen or the counselors need something. Um I think that that that collaboration is is being seen this year. Um we're now on the same floor, right? Like they're just right across. So I um I did get to see Diane, you know, going back and forth yesterday. She had some meetings in the office, and so um it was nice to see uh city councillors and and city hall and being able to have offices and and do their work and have their meetings. Um and so I look forward to the continued working together. Um I think that it's important for our community, and whether we agree or disagree, um we need to have those conversations um and we need to figure out what's the best direction for the community.

Haley Sue Robinson

Yeah, that's great. Okay, um anything else that you think that our listeners should know about you, Counselor Ruiz Gomez? Oh I know that's like a loaded question because there's probably so many things, right?

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

But oh wow, yeah. Um I don't know. Well, I guess that you know, um I one thing that I just always have emphasized um since I was elected is um just really reinforcing to the community that my our this is not ever my seat, it's our seat, um, it's our voice. Um so I need to hear from you. If you you know if there's something going on, please tell me, and I will do our best to respond and and and work through and problem solve. Um I think that what I would like to say to the community is like I welcome you into our chamber, I welcome you into our government. Um that's yours. It's yours, and and I'm just here to to represent represent you, and I'm very gracious for the opportunity to be able to represent Pueblo in such a capacity, and um I'm just really um humbled for what my election means for Pueblo and what it means for for people of color like me and women and um immigrants even because that's my story and um to let you know that we we can do it. And I'm again really just uh looking forward to working with with the mayor's office and the administration and with all the other council folks, our council members and colleagues, to just start to bring a path forward. I I believe in the potential of Pueblo. I know that um one of the biggest strengths of Pueblo is uh community, and when we start to say that we when we start to work together and and and and and gravitate toward community is we can make wonderful things happen. So I'm just um excited. I I'm very happy to have met all of the folks that I've met so far in this journey. Pueblo, you're beautiful and wonderful, and and I'm just very grateful for this opportunity. And also hold me accountable when I'm like screwing up. I'm not afraid of that feedback either. Um that's one of the things that you know I'm not gonna be like, oh, wow, I'm not gonna I won't get my feelings hurt. I I appreciate the feedback. So um I'm here for you. Um my information is on the city website um with my email and my um cell phone information. And um pretty soon uh we'll be looking at holding a meet and greet. I know that uh Councilor Danti and I have talked about hosting a town hall for district one pretty soon. So uh I'll seeing all those collaborations and things happening are exciting.

Haley Sue Robinson

That's great. I think uh a couple of things that you hit on are especially um pertinent to Pueblo. I mean, one uh I completely agree that one of our strengths in Pueblo is is our community. And um, you know, although folks maybe have different Focus areas that are important to them. There are groups that really rally around those focus areas and and that is totally our strength. The other thing is, and I I think uh Councilor Ruiz-Gomez and you, Mayor Graham, have both um kind of committed to humanizing government. And um when it comes to local government, it can be a little bit daunting or confusing to folks. I mean, you think about it, we just drive on our roads every day, you take the bus, um, you enjoy parks, the amenities in Pueblo, and those are all government pieces. Um, and we don't necessarily think of it that way. Uh, but then to also humanize the government as far as inviting folks in to hold you accountable, to ask questions, to be approachable. Um, you know, I I know you, Mayor Graham, like have told people whether you voted for me or not, you're you're welcome to call my office and and speak to me. And um

Mayor, Heather Graham

they do.

Haley Sue Robinson

Yeah. Oh, and they do. We we hear it all the time.

Mayor, Heather Graham

Sometimes that's like the first words. I didn't vote for you, but can you help me with this?

Haley Sue Robinson

Yeah. And I think those things are are important too. So um I I just appreciate that Pueblo government feels more accessible and more humanized in in that sense. So that's that's exciting. Anything else you want to add?

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

No, just thank you.

Haley Sue Robinson

Okay, great. Thank you so much for joining us today. It was really nice to get to know you a little bit better. I I feel like we learned the fact that you're bilingual, so now we're

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Should I say goodbye in Spanish?

Haley Sue Robinson

Yeah, absolutely.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Let me see what I want to say. Okay. Um Bienvenidos a tu Gobierno, Pueblo Colorado. Estamos aquí para ustedes.

Haley Sue Robinson

Oh, I love it. That's great. Okay, well, before before I say goodbye in English, um, I do want to um remind folks we have uh an upcoming event. We have a uh wastewater community meeting on Wednesday, April 8th, uh, at 5 30 at the YMCA located at 3200 East Spaulding. And that's to learn about the sewer system rehabilitation program. Um you can find more information on our Facebook page, on the website, uh, Instagram, LinkedIn. You can also follow us on Nextdoor or X. And again, I'd like to just remind you that you can find us on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, BuzzSprout, wherever you get your podcasts, and find us on channel 17. And if you have questions or topic suggestions, email us, mayor@pueblo.us, and we will see you next week.

Selena Ruiz-Gomez

Hasta luego.