Joseph Anthony (Tony) Fortino

Tony Fortino was born in Pueblo, Colorado. Tony’s father owned and operated a grocery store for 57 years, working seven days a week. His father was Tony’s role model for his solid work ethic; Tony worked in his grocery store for several years, before joining the U.S. Coast Guard.

After serving in World War II, Tony returned to the grocery store before opening his first used car lot. He then went to work at Jackson Chevrolet, and a few years later became a partner. They were partners at Fortino Jackson Chevrolet for 40 years before selling the dealership.

During his years in the automotive business, Tony was president of the Pueblo New Car Dealer Association and of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association. In 1972, he was given the Northwood Institute Award for the dealer who did the most for dealers in Colorado and was Colorado’s 1979 nominee for the TIME Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year award.

Tony was involved in numerous community and business organizations over the years, including National Jewish Hospital, the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank, president of the Pueblo Development Foundation, chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission for 10 of his 12 years of service, first chairman of the Pueblo Crime Stoppers, chairman of the Airport Advisory Board, chairman of the Pueblo Downtown Hotel Committee, Board of Trustees vice president of the Pueblo Vocational Community College and chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority.

Tony negotiated the purchase of property where the Pueblo Convention Center and Marriott Hotel now stand. Tony was also appointed by Governor Lamm to the Colorado State Highway Commission, where he served for a total of 20 years and saw the completion of the Glenwood Canyon Highway and T-Rex in south Denver.

Tony’s awards include the National Jewish Humanitarian Award (1977), an honorary Associate Degree and President’s Circle Award from Pueblo Community College (1990), the Red Cross Humanitarian Award in recognition of his outstanding support for the U.S. military (2012) and inducted to the Pueblo Centennial Hall of Fame.