Superintendent Kimzey acknowledges staff for Aspen Acres Fire response

In July and early August 2026, the devastating Aspen Acres Fire impacted the Pueblo region, prompting widespread evacuations and an urgent, coordinated emergency response.

During this critical period – which saw 33 D60 staff members and 25 students impacted -- D60 staff members stepped forward to support displaced families, first responders and the broader community. Their rapid response and selflessness provided vital assistance when it was needed most.

During its regular August meeting, the Board of Education joined Superintendent Dr. Barbara Kimzey in recognizing the staff members who answered the call during this time of community need.

District facilities also played important roles in the community response.

Pueblo Academy of Arts served as a Disaster Assistance Center, while the Heaton campus provided a camp site for firefighters and the East campus was used to store heavy equipment. In addition, Centennial High School hosted multiple community meetings.

“As the response moved from disaster assistance to response and recovery, we are still in partnership with Pueblo County for the Recovery Assistance Center at Beulah Heights Elementary,” Superintendent Kimzey said. “And that takes a lot of D60 staff. We are so proud of how they stepped up and showed support.”

Staff Recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation

Pueblo Academy of Arts

• Efrain Tapia — Principal
• Rebecca Tomlin — Assistant Principal
• Alyiah Beslac — Cheer Coach
• Marcellous Martinez-Roebuck — Cheer Coach

South High School

• Jeff Wilkerson — Assistant Principal/Athletics Director

Centennial High School

• Krystal Reed — Assistant Principal
• Jacob Lewis — CTE Broadcasting & Digital Communications Teacher

Central High School

• Perry Gridley — Girls Soccer Coach
• TJ Thiebaut — Boys Soccer Coach

Heaton Middle School

• Robert Odell — Principal

Facilities & Construction Management

• James Murray — Head Custodian, Pueblo Academy of Arts
• Chelsea Trujillo — Custodian
• John DeLao — Custodian
• Zach Schurle — Custodian
• Jimmy Herron — Custodian
• Ismelda Gomez — Custodian
• Maria Salazar — Custodian
• Alfonso Trujillo — Custodian
• Anthony Trujillo — Custodian
• Ariel McClure — Head Custodian, Beulah Heights
• Robert McMullen — Custodian
• Gary Vigil — Custodian
• Joe Salinas — Lead, Grounds
• Andy Bobian — Custodial Foreman
• Brian Day — Trades Foreman
• Gene Naranjo — Warehouse Foreman
• Anthony Vigil — Environmental Safety Officer
• Anthony Gonzalez — Custodial Foreman
• Phil Amaro — Grounds Foreman
• Dale Johnson — Maintenance & Operations Supervisor
• Mary Ann DiBeneditto — Executive Assistant, Facilities & Construction Management
• Bob Lawson — Executive Director, Facilities & Construction Management

Central Office Administration

• Ted Johnson — Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning
• Dalton Sprouse — Director of Communications & Public Relations
• Mike Bayer — Director of Culture, Safety & Wellness
• Marci Imes — Executive Director of Secondary Education & Career Technical Education
• Kim Cura — Executive Director of Elementary Education
• Tammy Neal — Executive Director of Human Resources, Certified Staff
• Tom Sanford — Director of Information Technology