The Riverwalk is a 32-acre urban waterfront recreation and education park. Publicly owned and free of charge to everyone, it is the heartbeat of downtown. Over 250,000 visitors each year enjoy the beauty of this special place, and you can make a difference!
"The Riverwalk is a beautiful place to walk with art to enjoy, places to eat and places to drink. There are benches located all along the way to sit and to rest, if needed. There are also gondola and a boat to ride at a decent price." - Tina Wilson
"It's a great experience with lots of history I didn't even know about Pueblo. I did the boat ride and learned so much. I recommend it for everyone! Even for people from other cities in Colorado and other states." - Toni Marquez
"I enjoy going to the riverwalk quite a bit. I walk my dog there and I have eaten at all the restaurants. What I also really like is how clean it is all the time. I will continue coming here. I love it! ❤️" - Laurie Ward
"I love it, it's a beautiful place to walk with kids, family, or just to go and relax sit on the grass and enjoy an ice cream, watching my kids rolling on the grass hill" - Martha Vian Morales
"The riverwalk in Pueblo is a surprising oasis where you can relax and enjoy good food! Very well done Pueblo!!" - Doug King
"My family loves the Riverwalk! It is the best place in Pueblo to go for live entertainment, delicious food, seasonal events and beautiful views while strolling beside the slow flowing water. We highly recommend visiting this peaceful but highly entertaining attraction in our city!" - Amanda Colletti
"Love the Riverwalk! A most beautiful, peaceful and safe place to share with family and friends! Pueblo's Riverwalk has become a favorite location in our beautiful city!" - Patsy Lopez
"I come into Pueblo from out of town to visit this area. The Riverwalk is lovely and peaceful. A great place to sit and have a bag lunch and relax. The sculptures throughout the walk give the feeling that you're seeing part canal and part museum. Beautiful work of wildlife and of people using the park (children with hoses in bronze). We happened to go last time before heading to the Pueblo Chile Festival, which was a nice way to start the morning before the hustle and bustle of the festival itself. There is a boat that takes visitors along the Rivewalk waterway, and many times entertainment at various pavilions along the walk." - Pauline Easter
The mission of the HARP Foundation is to secure funding to enhance and enrich the infrastructure of the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo (HARP) and transform it into a cultural, educational, economic, recreational and social centerpiece for the citizens of Southern Colorado.
In 1991, a coalition of interested citizens conceived the creation of a Riverwalk through downtown Pueblo, Colorado, modeled after the famous River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. These citizens named the project the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo (HARP). In 1993, the City of Pueblo formed the HARP Commission to initiate a citizen-led fundraising effort and oversee construction of the city-owned project. Upon completion of Phase I, the City of Pueblo dissolved the HARP Commission, and the HARP Authority was formed through an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Pueblo, Pueblo County, Pueblo Board of Water Works, and the Pueblo Conservancy District to assume responsibility for the daily operations of the Riverwalk.
The HARP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established on February 28, 1995, to solicit public and private support for the beautification of the Riverwalk and enhancement of its infrastructure. In November 1995, Pueblo citizens approved a 20-year, $12.85 million bond issue to fund the basic infrastructure of the Riverwalk. Construction broke ground on September 27, 1996, and the HARP Foundation launched its initial capital campaign on August 15, 1996. By the fall of 2000, the Foundation had raised the $8 million needed to complete Phases I and II. HARP was officially dedicated and opened to the public on October 6, 2000.
Over the past 25 years, the Riverwalk has continued to evolve as a destination for recreation, entertainment, business, and community connection. Phase III was completed in 2020 with the opening of Gateway Plaza and Heritage Plaza, creating new connections between the Pueblo Convention Center, the Riverwalk, local restaurants and businesses, and the Goodnight-Loving Sculpture Trail and other community amenities.
The Riverwalk entered its next major chapter with the completion of Phase IV in 2026. The project extended the Riverwalk channel approximately 500 feet toward Santa Fe Avenue and introduced the Pueblo Toyota Riverwalk Boathouse, a two-story facility designed to expand recreation, gathering, and event opportunities along the Riverwalk. The Boathouse features public restrooms, boat operations and concessions, a boat garage, a conference room, and a rooftop deck overlooking the Riverwalk that accommodates public and private events. The expanded channel and new facility also provide additional opportunities for boat rides, recreation, programming, and community gatherings.
Today, the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo encompasses approximately 32 acres and serves as a vibrant destination for residents and visitors. With its 1.3-mile waterfront loop, restaurants, businesses, public gathering spaces, recreation, events, and expanded boating opportunities, the Riverwalk continues to contribute to Pueblo's quality of life, tourism, and economic development.
More than three decades after the original vision was conceived, HARP remains true to its purpose: creating a welcoming place for people to gather, connect, celebrate, and enjoy the outdoors while continuing to invest in the future of downtown Pueblo.
Organization name
HARP Foundation
1995
Tax id (EIN)
84-1308918
Category
Community Improvement & Capacity Building
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Enterprise Zone Credit
Address
130 Riverwalk PlaceHeadquarters
130 Riverwalk PlacePueblo County, CO, US