Pueblo County Beekeepers Association
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. We meet on the first Thursday of the month, at the Rawlings branch of the Pueblo Library. The public is always welcome to come in to learn about bees and see what our association is all about.
Thanks.
Rick Martinez, PCBA President
Welcome
President: Rick Martinez - 719-242-6214
Vice President and Swarm Commander: Dru Spinnuzi - 719-250-3441
Secretary: Maura Edison - 719-251-8741
Treasurer: Apple Gibson - 719-248-8270
Past President and Swarm Commander: L. Scott Stevenson - 719-315-5473
Board Member: Vick Boley - 719-369-7403
Board Member: Randy Edwards - 719-320-7568
Board Member: Rick Ludwig - 719-242-1509
Call for information or feel free to join us for a club meeting on the first Thursday of the month, at the Rawlings Library, 6:30 p.m.
Mission Statement
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 2020 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
Meetings and News
PCBA meets at Rawlings Library,100 E. Abriendo Ave.,Pueblo, CO 81004.
http://imgur.com/gallery/hyBQh
***News Bulletin*** Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we will NOT meet in April. Instead, our president, Rick Martinez, will conduct a live Facebook video where he will discuss springtime seasonal management. You will be able to message in live time and ask questions. The Facebook link for the Pueblo County Beekeepers Group is: (Just click the link)
Please remember your 2020 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 is not prorated for joining part-way through the year.
2020 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.
2020 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.
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!
Just click on the text to sign up!
Event #2 of 2
Upcoming Events to Attend
Just click on the text to enroll:
Got a Swarm? Reach Out to Us!
Honeybee Swarms
by L. Scott Stevenson
Swarm Commander: Dru Spinnuzi 719-250-3441 or Scott Stevenson 719-315-5473, 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, or,
- L. Scott Stevenson PCBA Past President and Swarm Commander, (H) 543-9121; (C) 315-5473.
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.
- L. Scott Stevenson, PCBA Past President, and Swarm Commander (H) 543-9121; (C) 315-5473
- 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/ delivery April 24th in Pueblo, includes a free online school - Deadline to order is April 22nd
Rocky Mountain Bee Supply - 719-375-5094 https://rockymountainbeesupply.com/ deadline April 14th. Pickup date April 24th and May 2nd (Colorado Springs)
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
