Belmont Central

The Belmont neighborhood of Pueblo is a small community that encompasses the homes and businesses along Bonforte and Jerry Murphy Rd., just east of Colorado State University. The suburb within a mile of the college is well-kept; houses are small, but the yards are well-maintained and you can usually find kids riding their tricycles or track students running along the pavement. A neighborhood watch helps to monitor this area, and the streets themselves are lined with trees.

The Belmont neighborhood ends when you hit Highway 50, and this area is a little trickier. The highway intersects with Hudson, which marks the beginning of Pueblo’s “east side.” If you live on the east side of Hwy 50, even just one street over, there is a marked difference in crime, noise, and income. I rented an apartment parallel to the highway for two years, and I was often woken by sirens, angry shouting, and occasional gunshots. Pueblo’s east side is known for gang activity and drugs, and it’s easy to tell when you live nearby.

However, despite the east side’s reputation, I was never personally affected by the crime in this area. I simply learned to be careful and alert, and I spent two years enjoying affordable housing, a community garden across the street, and a shopping center within walking distance. The bus stop was directly outside of my apartment complex, and in a pinch I could always walk to CSU, which took thirty to forty minutes. Although I wouldn’t recommend Belmont East to single women or families with small children, you can certainly live safely and happily in this area, just like I did.

Despite proximity to Pueblo’s low-income neighborhoods, Belmont is a small, quiet neighborhood with convenient proximity to the college, the library, and a shopping plaza. I’d recommend this area to anyone looking for an affordable home or apartment and a relaxed community.