The Dante Alighieri Society was formed in July 1889 in Italy to "promote the study of the Italian language and culture throughout the world... independent of political ideologies, national, or ethnic origin or religious beliefs. The Society is the free association of people - not just Italians - but all people everywhere who are united by their love for the Italian language and culture and the spirit of universal humanism that these represent." The Society was named after Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) the medieval poet from Florence, Italy.

The Dante Alighieri Society of Pueblo, Colorado was founded by Father Christopher Tomatis on October 24, 1977 and ratified by the Dante Alighieri in Rome, Italy on December 3, 1977. Since its inception, the DA Society of Pueblo has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to students of Italian.

Mission Statement:

"Dante Pueblo’s historical and on-going mission is to (i) award scholarships to Pueblo area senior high school and university students to continue the study of the Italian language at the University level; (ii) to assist the various school boards of Pueblo with keeping Italian language classes in all of the area high schools whenever possible, and to (iii) sponsor cultural and social activities to enhance the Italian-American community of Pueblo and Southern Colorado regions."