It’s been a busy summer for the Bike Bank. We’ve been turning out bikes but have no shortage of projects remaining to restore. Skilled volunteer mechanics are the biggest limiting factor in our work currently (and semi-skilled… heck, even unskilled, we’ll help you learn if you’re motivated and willing to show up semiregularly).

What does it look like?

We have skilled mechanics who can orient you to the shop, get you set up with projects at your skill level, and help you with tricky problems. We meet every Tuesday night from about 6-9pm at our workshop on Greenwood. During this time, we work on bike restoration and repairs for members of the Pueblo community in need.

Who is welcome?

Everyone! In general, you need the ability to be around others, to follow instructions in the safe use of hand tools, to be sober, and to be willing to help the community. If you have a little mechanical aptitude and especially bike-related skills, it helps, but we really can teach you if you are willing. Flexibility helps, as does patience for when things take longer than you think, but we are a supportive group that works to include everyone, both those who need and can offer help.

What’s in it for you?

We’re not all selfless – we enjoy the opportunity to be around others who want to give back to the community, and being able to use our skills to provide a service that can be out of reach otherwise for so many in Pueblo. But if you stick around for a couple months you get a t-shirt. And use of the shop for your own bike projects. And occasionally we have cocoa and microwave popcorn… the list goes on!

How do I get started?

Email us at greenchilebike@gmail.com to see about joining us on a shop night. It helps us if we know ahead of time that you’re planning to come by.

Know someone who might be interested, but who’s not on ‘the grid’ of websites and social media? Please tell them in person! Pueblo is a person-to-person kinda town, and we know that. Let somebody know we could use the help and you’re helping, too 🙂

-The GCBB Team

Here are a few of the Puebloans we’ve helped with bikes this summer:

This past week we heard back from the IRS – after almost two years of being a state-recognized nonprofit corporation, we are now also federally recognized as a public charity.

Our reasons for hanging onto the in-between status of being incorporated but not tax-exempt were due to limited volunteer time and energy – organizing a board and following up on tax reporting is just more work when you’re an exempt organization, and we weren’t in a position to chase the bigger grants that would’ve made it worthwhile. Having been simply incorporated with the state, we could have a bank account, sign a lease, and receive electronic donations as an organization; that suited us then. Now with recognition as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3), we are eligible for many more partnerships, funding opportunities, and any donor who wishes may write off the value of their donations from their personal or business income taxes.

This opens quite a few new doors, and we are excited to start knocking! Rest assured, it doesn’t change the spirit with which we serve Pueblo – we are still here for the needs of those on the margins, no matter how organized we get.

Thank you to all who’ve helped along the way!

-The GCBB Team

Bike Distributions:

501(c)(3) Tax Exemption:

We have recently applied for tax-exempt recognition from the IRS. This marks a big step for us organizationally, and we await the possibilities it opens up for us.

Green Chile Bike Institute:

The GCBI which launched mid-February has now graduated its first 2 classes of students, who completed a 20-hour curriculum including bike maintenance classes, guided volunteer shop work, and riding and repairing bikes out in the community. Major appreciation to Sam, who has instructed and coordinated the program from Day 1. Classes will continue through late spring, with a total of 6 cohorts benefiting from this grant-supported community program. Spots are still available for interested community members on a space-available basis, so please reach out with interest to greenchilebike@gmail.com

Ongoing Needs:

As the weather warms, our needs and the needs of the community for bikes and bike repair services increase. So, we ask the following:

1. If you have bikes that need a new home when you’re spring cleaning, please consider donating them to GCBB to restore and pass on to someone in need. Donations of repairable bikes are always welcome!
2. If you have funds that are itching to be employed toward creating a kinder, gentler world, consider GCBB as a way to make that happen. We take no salaries from our donations, every last bit of it goes to operations expenses – parts, tools, components, and rent for our workshop. We would be glad for whatever you may be able to give to support the Pueblo community through our work.
3. Consider coming out to our Spring Fundraiser, evening of Thursday June 1st, at Walter’s Brewing. We will have GCBB merch for donation, a very nice bike and repair stand for raffle, treats and a silent auction. It will be a chance to have fun in celebration of all that our students, volunteers, and supporting community have put into the project.

Thanks for reading this far! And for being involved in the ways you are able.

-The GCBB volunteers

These are some of the Puebloans we’ve been able to recently serve with your support: