Nick Gradisar

Nicholas A. Gradisar (born 1949) is an American politician and attorney who served as the mayor of Pueblo from 2019 to 2024. Gradisar, a Democrat, was elected in 2019, becoming the first mayor since 1911. Gradisar lost re-election to Republican Heather Graham.

Born in Pueblo, Colorado, Gradisar is a graduate from Southern Colorado State College and obtained his legal education at Drake University. Gradisar was in the private practice of law in Pueblo for 40 years.  He was a co-founder of the law firm now known as Gradisar, Trechter, Ripperger and Roth. He is the former president of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the former president of the Action 22 Board of Directors. Gradisar was an elected member of the Pueblo Board of Water Works for 14 years and served as president of the board for 6 years. Nick was elected Mayor of Pueblo in January 2019.

Gradisar was sworn in as the first elected mayor of Pueblo, Colorado, on February 1, 2019, following the city's adoption of a new form of government approved by voters in 2017. Prior to this, Pueblo operated under a city manager–council structure since 1954. Gradisar, a longtime Pueblo attorney and former chair of the Pueblo County Democratic Party, played a central role in advocating for the shift to a strong-mayor system. He won the inaugural election for the position in a January 2019 runoff, securing approximately 58% of the vote.

Gradisar faced criticism in his final year for perceived delays in addressing homelessness and persistent concerns about violent crime. Some residents and opponents described his leadership style as out of touch, particularly in response to visible encampments and police understaffing.

In the 2023 mayoral election, Gradisar was defeated by Heather Graham, who won approximately 62% of the vote. He left office on February 1, 2024, concluding a historic five-year term as Pueblo's first strong mayor in over six decades. Gradisar's tenure is remembered for restoring executive leadership to city hall, driving economic expansion, and laying the groundwork for continued infrastructure and public service development in Pueblo.