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Dec 11, 2023

Here are 7 places to swim in Pueblo this summer

With amenities like splash pads, spray parks and water slides galore, Pueblo has

With amenities like splash pads, spray parks and water slides galore, Pueblo has plenty of public swimming pools to enjoy the summer weather while staying cool.

There are several nearby options for residents throughout Pueblo County.

Here are seven places local places to enjoy the sun, dive into an open swim session or take swim lessons. Each of these swimming areas has unique features and offerings. All are open to the public, but visitors may have to pay a small fee for an open swim session.

One of the four pools operated by City of Pueblo Parks and Recreation, City Park Pool is the place to be for those who love the high-speed twists and turns of a water slide.

There are three tube slides at the City Park Pool. Other amenities include a wading pool shaded by a giant, water-spraying mushroom umbrella, a pair of diving boards, sunbathing area, shaded picnic tables and a concession stand.

City Park Pool's regular season began June 2 and will continue through Sunday, Aug. 13. Hours during the season include a session from noon to 2:30 p.m., followed by another from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Open swim is free for those 2 and under, $3 for those ages 3 to 17, and $4 for adults.

Frequent swimmers can purchase $60 swim passes at any City of Pueblo Parks and Recreation pool location or at the Parks and Recreation administration office, 800 Goodnight Ave. Swim Passes are good for 25 admissions to open swim, family swim, lap swim and water aerobics sessions.

More information about offerings, events and swimming lessons at city-run pools can be found on the City of Pueblo Parks and Recreation website.

Located on the north side of town, the Mineral Palace Park Pool has the largest capacity of any pool operated by the city.

Not including staff, Mineral Palace Park Pool has capacity for 275 people. Popular amenities include 50 meters for lap swimming, an open water slide, two diving boards, a wading pool, a sunbathing area, shaded picnic tables and a concession stand.

Schedules and open swim pricing at Mineral Palace Park Pool are the same as City Park Pool. Mineral Palace Park Pool also hosts a Military, Veterans and First Responders Appreciation Day on July 4. With proof of service, active-duty military, veterans and first responders can swim free. A "free day" sponsored by Young Life will be held at the pool on Wednesday, July 12. The pool is open through Aug. 13.

Bessemer's Ray Aguilera Park Pool is equipped with a splash pad, an interactive spray park, a tube slide and an AquaClimb climbing wall.

For serious swimmers, the pool has 40 meters for lap swimming. The pool is open from noon to 5 p.m. through Aug. 13 and pricing is the same as the pools at City and Mineral Palace parks. There will be three free days at Ray Aguilera Park Pool this summer. The first is on Wednesday, June 28, followed by two others on Wednesday, July 5, and Wednesday, July 19.

Rounding out the City of Pueblo Parks and Recreation's quartet of swimming pools is Mitchell Park Pool on the East Side.

Features of the Mitchell Park Pool include a splash pad, diving board and interactive spray park. Open swim is free for those ages 2 and under, $1.50 for those ages 3 to 17, and $2 for adults. The Mitchell Park Pool only accepts cash payments and will be open from noon to 5 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 6.

Mitchell Park Pool will host three free days this summer on July 12, July 26 and Aug. 2, all Wednesdays.

Lake Pueblo Swim Beach is a trip to the beach without the hassle of traveling to a coastal city.

Features of the beach include bathrooms, grilling pads, outdoor showers and shaded shelter. It opened on Memorial Day and typically closes Labor Day weekend. Swim Beach is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Monday.

There are no lifeguards on duty at Swim Beach and adults must accompany children under 12 years old. Access to the beach is permitted with any pass to Lake Pueblo State Park. More information about park passes can be found on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.

For swimmers looking to stay indoors, the Pueblo County Parks and Recreation Department keeps the Pueblo County High School pool open during the summer.

Open swim at the Pueblo County High School pool is Monday through Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lap swim sessions are offered on the same days from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The pool also will be home to four swim lesson sessions for those ages 3 and up this summer. Admission for open swim is $3, and lessons are $40 for a two-week session.

Registration forms and schedules for swim lessons at the Pueblo County High School pool can be found on the Pueblo County Parks and Recreation Department website.

The Pueblo West Pool operated by the Pueblo West Metro District is home to a host of programs this summer including open swim, lap swim, adult aerobics and swim lesson sessions.

Open swim is daily from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Aug. 13. In addition to a $4 daily admission, visitors may purchase $35 punch cards for 10 visits, $84 punch cards for 24 visits and $55 splash passes for admission to 22 lap swim or aerobic sessions.

More information about the Pueblo West Pool and its activities may be found on the Pueblo West Metro District website.

Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at [email protected].