EVERYBODY deserves to enjoy water safely!

The YMCA of Pueblo is a charitable organization, so we ensure everybody participates in our programs, regardless of their ability to pay. In our swim lessons, we emphasize safety, confidence, and progressive skill building so that our community is safer for its youth and our next generation is healthier and happier than ever. We can’t wait for you to experience our Aquatics Center!

Please note: ALL children under 48" will be issued a green, blue or red swim band to ensure top water safety. Review our Swim Band Policy below.

Below is the current schedule for the Main Pool and Therapy Pool. Our Therapy Pool is for Adults 18+ and therapeutic sessions only.

Before your visit, please review our Guest Pass Policy
Pools are open to the public during Community Weekends only. Day pass purchase required.
Showers are required before entering the pools

Lifeguards and Staff may change the Aquatics schedule dependent on facility usage and staffing.

Lily pads available pending Lifeguards on deck
Pirate Ship is open during select times.

Lap swimming is available weekdays during select times. Please view our Main Pool schedule below.

Lap swim is 15yd

Aquatics Schedule

During Water Fitness, the Main Pool will only be open to participants, lap swimmers and Y programming. POWERSwim participants will utilize lap lanes on Wednesdays. Lifeguards may change the schedule dependent on staffing and facility usage.

Children with therapeutic needs are allowed to use the Therapy pool at any time. Youth 5 & Under are allowed to use the Therapy Pool during Toddler Time with a parent/guardian. During swim lessons and Parkview Rehab, only participants will be allowed in the pool.

YMCA of Pueblo Swim Test Policy

All children under 48" will be issued a green, blue or red swim band.

The YMCA of Pueblo will utilize the following swim bands to ensure safety within our facilities: Green, Red, Blue. The following policy will be adhered to moving forward. Max number of two swimmers for one swim test instructor.

**Please note that the swim test policy is aimed at identifying the swimming capabilities of all children to better ensure their safety. Those who do not take this swim assessment will be considered a non-swimmer and will require further supervision of a guardian who is 16 years or older. If deemed necessary, YMCA Lifeguards may retest any child under 48 inches at any time.

Upon arrival at the Pueblo YMCA all swimmers will be measured at the front desk and if they are below 48” they will be issued a red band immediately and must abide by the red band policy. Upon entry to the pool, a lifeguard will be wearing a colored safety vest, any child who wishes to swim freely without a lifejacket must get a swim test from the lifeguard in the colored vest. The lifeguard will then decide if that child should wear a red or green band. If they pass the test they will be issued a green band and instructed to throw away the red band. No child with a red or green band will be allowed to utilize the slide. The name of the child, date of birth, and color of the band will be written down and given to the front desk to put into the member’s Daxko account.

Swimmers ages 12 & under and over 48” who wish to utilize the slide(s) must be swim tested. They will not originally be issued a band at the front desk as they meet the height requirement to swim in the pool, however, no child will be allowed to use the slide if they do not have a blue swim band. Any youth 12 & under who wishes to use the slide must see the lifeguard with the safety vest on and take a swim test. If the swimmer passes the test they will be issued a blue band. All swimmers with blue bands are then allowed to use the slides.

Red Band: Indicates the child has not taken or has not passed the swim test

Children with a red band are required to be within arms reach of a guardian 16 years or older; with a limit of 2 red banded children per guardian at one time. Children with a red band must swim in the Pirate Ship area or wear a lifejacket.

Blue Band: Indicates the child has passed the swim test

A blue band indicates a child is permitted to use the water slides.

Green Band: Indicates the child has passed the swim test

With a green band, a child will be able to swim in any area of the pool that is available for recreational swim. Green bands are NOT permitted to use the water slides.

Any child listed in our records as a green band may be asked to re-test should a lifeguard deem it necessary.

Swim Test Criteria

The child will jump feet first into the main pool at least 4 feet deep or deeper.
Surface and tread water for 40 seconds. (Feet will not touch the bottom nor hands touch the wall)
The child will swim the length of the pool using a front stroke with the ability to have their face in the water and take comfortable breaths.
Once to the other end; the child will roll on their back for 10 seconds, then continue back to the starting place using a resting stroke on their back.

Swim Band Policy Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who do I go to, to get swim tested?
A: Lifeguard wearing a safety vest

Q: What if the down guard is needed on Deck?
A: If there are 2 lifeguards on deck, the one wearing the safety vest can perform
the swim test while the other covers both zones.

Q: My child passed the swim test and has a green band, can they go down the
slide?
A: No they cannot. Swim testing is for children under 48in. If they are swim tested,
they are too short to go down the slide.

Q: My child has a red band what does that mean?
A: They can swim in the pirate ship, or need a lifejacket or parent within arms
reach at all times.

Q: My child has a green band. Can I leave them in the pool area alone to swim while
I go workout?
A: No, unless your child is 12 years or older, they must be accompanied by someone who is at least 16 years of age.

Q: My child has a red band when can they retest for a green band?
A: They can retest as soon as their next visit.

Q: Does my child have to retest every time they visit the Y?
A: No, once your child passes, the color band will go in their account. Once it is in
their account, then at check in, the front desk will distribute the correct colored band.

Meet the Guards

Emelicia

I like reading, swimming, and hanging out with my cat. I have worked at the Y for 2 years. I chose to work at the Y because I wanted to lifeguard all year round. Outside of work some of my favorite hobbies include paddleboarding, hiking, and camping. I and in the first year of my college career. I became a lifeguard because I have always admired them and I love kids.

Favorite swimming stroke? Butterfly.
What high school did you attend? What was your mascot? Centennial High School. The Bulldogs.
Pueblo Reservoir or Water World? Water World!
Paddleboard or kayak? Paddleboard.
Favorite popsicle flavor? Lime

Grace

My name is Grace Gray, and I'm sixteen years old. I enjoy swimming and playing soccer, and I aspire to be a nurse. I take time to manage my own life, work, school, and friends. I started working at the YMCA in early June 2022. I chose to work at the YMCA because I felt it was a safe and welcoming environment for me, it was the furthest away from me, but I wanted to really work here. I practice soccer and swimming, hang out with friends and family, and visit the parks around town regularly. I want to go to college for nursing, as I want to become a nurse practitioner. I wanted to become a lifeguard to learn the skills I most definitely will need to learn to get my degree, such as acting on instinct and learning to connect with people. I wanted to become a swim instructor as I love kids and teaching. When children are introduced to swimming, it is important for them to have a caring and well-focused instructor to trust and have fun with.

Favorite swimming stroke? Butterfly, most people hate it, but it's number one in my book.
Favorite pool game? Marco polo, you can leave the pool at any time and fool everyone around you because they can't see.
Which high school did you attend? What was your mascot? I attend Pueblo County High School, and my school's mascot is the Hornet.
Favorite popsicle flavor? Orange Creamsicle, it's the best citrus flavor out there.
Indoor Pool or Outdoor Pool? Indoor pool, there's no need for the tan lines.

Sierra

I'm a huge people person, I love to lift weights, and I love animals. I've worked at the Y for about a month. I chose to work at the Y because the environment and people are so positive and welcoming! Outside of work I love to read, play bass guitar, and play tennis. I am a junior in high school. I wanted to become a lifeguard because I love to help people, and I love to swim!

What high school did you attend? What was your mascot? GOAL Highschool. The Gladiators!
Ocean or lake? Lake
Favorite place you've ever traveled to? Rome, Italy.
Pueblo Reservoir or Water World? Pueblo Reservoir.
Cannonball or belly flop? Cannonball

Leila

I am a senior at Pueblo West High School! I am the drum major for the marching band and I play the flute as well. I am also the captain of the varsity swim team and Student Body Secretary in the student council! I have worked at the Y for 1 and a half years. I chose to work at the Y because my friend Ashleigh worked here and said it was an amazing job, so I applied and she recommended me. Outside of work the hobbies you can catch me doing are swimming, band, flute, piano, and hiking. I wanted to become a lifeguard because eventually, I want to work in health care as a nurse, and I thought lifeguarding was a good first step. I've always loved competitive swimming, and teaching gives me the opportunity to share that with amazing kids!

Ocean or lake? Ocean.
Favorite place you've ever traveled to? British Columbia.
Favorite Y water slide? Black or blue? Black, it's so much faster!
Favorite popsicle flavor? Either orange or grape.

Mati

I am a senior at Pueblo County High School! I am on the swim and golf teams. I am also the DECA President and National Honor Society secretary. I have worked at the Y for 1 and a half years. I chose to work at the Y because I love swimming and being in the pool. I also LOVE teaching and am going into elementary education after I graduate. Outside of work some of my favorite activities and hobbies include swimming, golfing, and hanging out with my friends and family. One of my favorite things is playing with my five dogs! I wanted to be a lifeguard because it seemed fun. But when I was asked to start teaching I fell in love with it and have made so many friendships with students that I wouldn't give it up for anything else!

What is your favorite swimming stroke? All! I swim the 200 IM competitively.
What high school did you attend? What was your mascot? Pueblo County! HORNETS!
Favorite place you've ever traveled to? Europe! London and Paris.
Pueblo Reservoir or Water World? Water World.

Swim Lessons

The YMCA of Pueblo offers swim lessons year-round in our state-of-the-art Aquatics Center! Our Y certified swim instructors provide the best swim lesson experience you can get. Participants must wear swim attire for all lessons.

Swim lessons are available Tuesday & Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings. You can register during your next visit, by calling 719-543-5151 or simply register online below.

Water Slides

We offer two thrilling 150ft indoor water slides! Slides are available Fridays & Saturdays during select times. Please refer to our current Main Pool schedule, located at the top of this webpage, for more information on times.

Swimmers must be 48” to go down the water slides.
Only one person is allowed to go down a slide at a time.
Life jackets are not permitted on the water slides.

Therapy Pool

The therapy pool is heated to 91-95^oF and is focused toward our adult and senior population and those with therapeutic needs, including children.

The Therapy Pool will be closed for Swim Lessons and Parkview Rehabilitation sessions.

This pool is also reserved for ACTIVE participants for Aqua Tone and Aqua Zumba during select times. Please view our Therapy Pool schedule, located at the top of this webpage, to plan your visit accordingly. Thank you!

Aquatics