On Tuesday, Mayor Nick Gradisar expressed his disappointment the two parties involved in mediation over the future of the Christopher Columbus Statue could not reach an agreement. On Saturday morning, the two parties, the Sons of Italy Community Group and the Indigenous Community group, advised the Mayor that they could not reach an agreement over the Christopher Columbus Statue in Pueblo’s Mesa Junction neighborhood.

Both parties decided continuing talks would not be productive. “Obviously, I’m disappointed the two groups couldn’t reach an agreement, but after decades of protests, the talks produced a chance for everyone to sit down and express their views, pain, and heritage,” said Mayor Gradisar. “Mediation was worth it as it allowed both sides the opportunity to hear the pain and pride of Pueblo’s past.”