Pueblo County Employees Protest First Furlough Day Amid Budget Deficit

Workers express concerns over financial impact of mandatory unpaid time off as county faces $10 million shortfall

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Hundreds of Pueblo County employees gathered to protest the first of 10 mandatory unpaid furlough days implemented by the Board of County Commissioners to address a $10 million budget deficit. Workers expressed frustration over the impact on their financial stability and questioned the fairness of the decision, with some predicting increased absenteeism and turnover due to morale issues.

Why it matters

The furloughs highlight the difficult decisions local governments must make when facing significant budget shortfalls, with the burden often falling on public sector workers who may already be underpaid compared to the private sector. The protest also reflects broader concerns about the economic security of middle-class families who live 'paycheck to paycheck' and have little financial cushion to absorb pay cuts.

The details

The furlough days are expected to save the county around $1.5 million of the more than $10 million deficit. County Commissioner Miles Lucero said the county is also exploring options like selling properties and refinancing debt. Lucero stated he plans to take a proportional pay cut along with employees, though statutorily the commissioners' pay cannot be altered.

  • Presidents' Day marked the first of 10 unpaid furlough days and two unpaid early release days that county workers will face in 2026.

The players

Roseanna Torres-Hererra

A demonstrator and Pueblo County employee who expressed frustration over the impact of the furloughs on workers' financial stability.

Bryan Vandeveire

A demonstrator and Pueblo County employee who questioned the fairness of the furloughs, arguing that county workers were not responsible for the budget deficit.

Miles Lucero

A Pueblo County Commissioner who acknowledged the employees' right to protest and stated he plans to take a proportional pay cut along with workers, though the commissioners' pay cannot be statutorily altered.

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What they’re saying

“Anytime you are touching or messing with a person's livelihood, it's very frustrating. It's scary.”

— Roseanna Torres-Hererra, Demonstrator (koaa.com)

“The sacrifice you make as a public sector employee is benefits for less pay, and now we're getting reduced pay and no benefits. County employees were not the reason for the debt that we're in right now.”

— Bryan Vandeveire, Demonstrator (koaa.com)

“There's a lot of morale issues, and I feel that that's gonna just lead to more time off.”

— Roseanna Torres-Hererra, Demonstrator (koaa.com)

“We all live paycheck to paycheck, you know, we depend upon what we make, we depend upon the certainty of what we make.”

— Roseanna Torres-Hererra, Demonstrator (koaa.com)

“I think the working people have a right to be upset and express it however they see fit. I'm upset about the situation myself and I fully support our employees. Unfortunately, the severity of our budget situation means we will have to make cuts in many areas including personnel. We are also exploring the possibility of selling properties owned by the County and refinancing our debt obligations, among other options. I plan to take a proportional pay cut along with employees. Statutorily, we can't alter our pay, but I intend to write the County a check. I'll be participating in this pay cut and I believe the other commissioners intend to also.”

— Miles Lucero, Pueblo County Commissioner (koaa.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.