Welcome to CTU-Pueblo
Learn How to Shine in the Home of Heroes
Pueblo, Colorado, was recognized by the U.S. Congress as the "Home of Heroes" in 1993. But it was President Dwight D. Eisenhower who actually inspired this nickname. Awarding the Congressional Medal of Honor (our nation's highest military accolade) to the fourth soldier from Pueblo, he commented, "...is it something in the water out there in Pueblo? All you guys turn out to be heroes!"
In fact, in 1842, easy access to water led to the town's founding at the juncture of the Fountain and Arkansas Rivers. Named El Pueblo (Spanish for "The Town"), it was a commercial center for fur trappers and traders of all nationalities until an Indian uprising in 1854 turned the city into a ghost town.
In 1859 the Colorado Gold Rush gave birth to a new Pueblo, as miners, ranchers and shopkeepers arrived as settlers. During the next 70 years, Pueblo attracted heavy industry and was also known as "the saddle-making capital of the world." Then in 1921, a devastating flood destroyed the downtown so the town had to reinvent itself once again.
Today, Pueblo's sunny, temperate climate and beautiful natural setting has made it one of America's growing cities. Home to the Federal Citizen Information Center, Sperry Corp. and other diverse companies, its many attractions include the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk, lovely Victorian homes, several museums, recreational swimming and hiking, the Colorado State Fair and the Annual Chili Festival. But perhaps its greatest asset is a history of innovation, courage and commitment to success that seems to inspire heroic achievement in those who study, work and live here.