Pueblo County Beekeepers Association
Welcome
Welcome to the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association. Whether you are an experienced beekeeper, a new beekeeper, thinking about becoming a beekeeper, or simply interested in honeybees with no intention of having any, our organization strives to provide education, support, and resources to everyone. In addition, we provide resources to the community such as swarm collection and education at local events. Our November meeting which is being held in conjunction with the State Beekeeping Association will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church Meeting Hall, 1145 S. Aspen Rd, Pueblo, from 07:15 - 4:30 pm., on November 12.
Thanks.
Rick Martinez, PCBA President
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President: Rick Martinez - 719-242-6214
Vice President and Swarm Commander: Dru Spinnuzi - 719-250-3441
Secretary: Marva Jolly - 303-478-8047
Treasurer: Wendy Hall - 719-330-1546
Past President: L. Scott Stevenson - 719-315-5473
Board Member: Taylor Spinnuzi - 719-664-9662
Board Member: Randy Edwards - 719-320-7568
Board Member: Rick Ludwig - 719-242-1509
The mission of the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association (PCBA) is to promote sustainable beekeeping in Southern Colorado. The association shall:
a. Provide education for the public and beekeepers.
b. Provide support for fellow beekeepers.
c. Provide resources, including swarm rescue, honey extraction, hive management and pest control.
d. Aid in the education of youth about beekeeping through youth programs such as 4-H.
Membership and Dues: (Friendly Reminder 2022 Dues are due.)
a. Membership will be open to any individual with an interest in beekeeping, pollinator health, or other aspects of bee culture. Membership is attained by submitting the required membership dues. All paid adult members shall have voting privileges.
b. Annual adult and youth membership dues will be determined yearly by the executive board. Annual adult dues will include both PCBA and Colorado State Beekeepers Association membership.
c. The membership year runs from January through December, and dues will not be prorated.
d. Membership is open to all, irrespective of race, color, sex, or national origin
Membership and Dues
In accordance with Pueblo City Regulations regarding the keeping of bees within city limits as found in Title XI- Police Regulations - General Offense Code - Article IV Offenses Against Property, Sec. 11-1-405" - the following information on keeping honey bees is provided:
(Z) honeybee, provided, however, that the number of honeybees does not exceed the number contained in two (2) beehives located on the same property. For purposes of subparagraph (Z), a beehive shall mean any, container housing no more than one (1) colony of honey bees including one (1) queen bee.
For additional information see https://www.pueblo.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/410.
Officers
Pueblo Beekeeping Rules Within City Limits
Mission Statement
Call for information or feel free to join us for a club meeting. Our November meeting which is being held in conjunction with the State Beekeeping Association will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church Meeting Hall, 1145 S. Aspen Rd, Pueblo, from 07:15 - 4:30 pm., on November 12. See the Events Page for more info.
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Meetings and News
The PCBA will meet at the Lamb Branch Library, 2525 S. Pueblo Blvd. Pueblo, CO 81005
http://imgur.com/gallery/hyBQh
**News Bulletin** We are NOW meeting in person at the Lamb Branch Library. Our November meeting, however, which is being held in conjunction with the State Beekeeping Association, will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church Meeting Hall, 1145 S. Aspen Rd, Pueblo, from 07:15 - 4:30 pm., on November 12.
Please remember your 2022 club membership dues.
Ready to Activate?
Ready to pay your club dues, join the fun and become a fulltime member of the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association. We made it easy. For a small convenience fee, you can now pay through Eventbrite!
There are 3 levels of membership. Individual, Family, and Corporate Membership. Membership runs annually from January through December and may be prorated for joining part-way through the year.
2022 Individual Membership; $25.00+$3.16 Fee
An individual membership includes affiliation with the Colorado State Beekeepers Association; one vote during officer and organizational elections; and one spot on the swarm list.
2022 Family Membership; $40.00+$4.06 Fee
A family membership includes affiliation with the Colorado State Beekeepers Association; two votes during officer and organizational elections; and two spots on the swarm list.
2022 Corporate Membership; $50.00+$4.67 Fee
Corporate membership includes affiliation with the Colorado State Beekeepers Association; three votes at officer and organizational elections; and two spots on the swarm list.
Ready? Click below and follow the link directions!
Upcoming Events and Honey Extractor Information
Honey Extractor Rental
One of the benefits you have as a PCBA member is access to the club's honey extraction rental equipment. As long as the equipment is returned cleaned and functioning, it will cost only $25, to rent all you need (plus a $100 refundable deposit) to collect your honey. If you would like to rent the equipment please contact Ida Griffin. (See our Facebook page for information to contact a club officer for Mrs. Griffin´s contact information.) Mrs. Griffin will email you a copy of the equipment rental agreement. If you decide you would like to rent the extraction equipment, please make arrangements through Mrs. Griffin, our Extractor Rental Coordinator.
1. Please consider paying your 2022 PCBA Club membership dues. You can pay them in person or online.
2. You can Register Now for the Colorado State Beekeeping Association (CSBA) Winter Meeting – on November 12, 2022, from 07:15 - 4:30. That's right! The state meeting for Winter will be held right here in Pueblo.
Currently, the meeting is scheduled to be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church Meeting Hall, 1145 S. Aspen Rd, Pueblo, (https://www.mapquest.com/us/co/pueblo/81006-1655/1145-s-aspen-rd-38.2435,-104.58016). Check the state website and the Pueblo Beekeepers Group Facebook page for the exact location. There are active links below.
We'll have some great speakers on topics that should be of interest to all levels of Beekeepers:
Zac Lamas: Varroa Mite Population Dynamics & Sampling & Early Spring Colony Management
Amy Franklin, DVM: Bee Health: Why Your Bees are not like Goats or other Livestock
Beth Conrey: Building Up Beekeeping as a Business
Plus we'll have some Hands-on Demonstrations, Vendor Booths, Prizes/Giveaways, and the Annual Big Money Honey Contest along with a short Business Meeting to update our members and hold annual elections.
In-person cost is $30 including registration, prize-drawing ticket (must be present to win), lunch, and snacks. A Zoom option is also being offered.
For more information go to:
https://coloradobeekeepers.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4f4daed95b17058773af37fd9&id=d2a173b666&e=b63137b9ec
Volunteers Needed: If you're interested in helping run the Winter Meeting we can use volunteers to help with Room Set-up, Registration, Honey Contest Check-in, Snack & Food Service, Prize Distribution and other tasks/Activities. Contact secretary@coloradobeekeepers.org before you register.
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Got a Swarm? Reach Out to Us!
Honeybee Swarms
by L. Scott Stevenson
Swarm Commander: Dru Spinnuzi 719-250-3441 or,
Pueblo County Extension Agent: Tom Laca: (719) 850-3421
Be prepared to describe the swarm and location. The information below may be helpful when describing a swarm.
What is a swarm?
Swarms consist of a group of worker bees that have engorged themselves on honey and the queen. They engorge themselves in order to sustain the swarm until they find a place to live. A swarm of bees is the natural instinctive phenomena of the honeybee, this is a natural way of propagation. When something is not right in the beehive, the worker bees will decide that it’s time to leave. About half of the bees will leave the hive with the queen and swarm to a bush, tree limb, a house wall, a post or wherever they want. The swarm will stay there from a few minutes to a day until the scout bees find an acceptable place for a new hive.
Some of the reasons that the hive decides to swarm are:
- The hive might be too congested;
- Varroa mite infestation or, some other type of pest issue;
- An old failing queen with a spotty brood pattern, or not giving off enough of her pheromone to let the rest of the hive know she is there;
- Lack of ventilation;
- Or...some types of honeybees are just prone to swarming.
What do you do if you see a swarm of bee?
- Do not spray them with anything to try and kill them.
- Do not try and box them up or capture them without training.
- Call your County Extension Office, Tom Laca, 583-6566 and they will get someone out to get the swarm.
- Contact Pueblo County Beekeepers Association, Dru Spinnuzi, Vice President and Swarm Commander, 719-250-3441, and we will get someone out to get the bees.
Bees with Hives in Structures
- Do not spray them with anything to try and kill them.
- Do not try and box them up or capture them without training.
- Call your County Extension Office, Tom Laca, 583-6566 and they will get someone out to get the swarm.
- Contact Pueblo County Beekeepers Association and we will get someone out to get the bees.
- Dru Spinnuzi, PCBA Vice President and Swarm Commander, 719-250-3441.
Links to Bee Information
Equipment:
Beeline of Pueblo 719-250-4005 or web site - https://www.beelinewoodenware.com/cat/livebees/colorado - pick-up (Pueblo) curbside pick up. Best to call ahead.
Rocky Mountain Bee Supply, Colorado Springs - 719-375-5094 web site - https://rockymountainbeesupply.com/collections/all . Call ahead curbside pick-up.
Bees:
Packages: Chad Ragland https://onlinebeeschool.com/packagebeeoptions/
Rocky Mountain Bee Supply - 719-375-5094 https://rockymountainbeesupply.com/
Nucs:
Vic Boley - 719-369-7403- Pueblo bees Mid may pick up.
Frankie Lopez - 719-240-5262 - Pueblo bees- mid-May pick up.
Burley Bees Don Hall - 7194913649 - https://burleybeeshoney.com/ - order deadline is April 30th. Mid may pick up.
Organizations
Colorado State Beekeepers Association: http://www.coloradobeekeepers.org/
Pikes Peak Beekeepers Association: http://www.pikespeakbeekeepers.org/ (Colorado Springs, Canon City, Monument, Pueblo)
The National Honey Board: www.honey.com
