Candace Rivera
How does your experience make you qualified to represent the people?
I have been an advocate in Pueblo County serving the community, in various roles for many years. I began my career as a successful small business owner and federal contractor for 20 years. Upon obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, I served the community as a volunteer victim advocate with ACOVA (A Community Organization for Victim Assistance). In this role, I worked 80+ hours a week on crime scenes supporting members of the community and all local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. During this time, I also advocated for domestic violence survivors at the YWCA.
I continued my career in public service as a Victim Assistance Specialist at the District Attorney's Office - 10th Judicial District, where I advocated for victims' rights in the judicial system during countless trials and hearings.
I then became a Paralegal at a local law firm where I interacted with clients and provided legal assistance to a team of attorneys. I prepared correspondence, conducted research and filed documents with the courts while maintaining a deep knowledge of the Colorado Revised Statutes and applicable legislation.
In my current role as the Pueblo County Clerk & Recorder, I manage the largest administrative office in Pueblo County with 60 staff members in four divisions: Elections, Recording, Motor Vehicle, & Clerk to the Board. The office has realized dramatic and lasting change under my leadership that will benefit taxpayers for years to come. I've implemented efficiencies, improved processes, advocated for taxpayer savings, improved the customer experience, and improved staff growth, training, and opportunities for advancement.
What are your top policy priorities?
Secure and Transparent Elections - I will continue to fiercely defend the integrity, security, and transparency of elections in Pueblo County for all voters regardless of political affiliation.
Election Infrastructure Funding - Secure and reliable elections require significant funding nationwide. I will fight for the restoration of election funding that has been dramatically reduced in recent years.
Ethical & Accountable Leadership - Pueblo County voters deserve leadership that represents them professionally, ethically, and justly. I am that leader. I've dedicated myself completely to put in the hard work, to solve problems - not just talk about them, to build a better future not just for the Clerk & Recorder's Office but for all of Pueblo.
Support County Employees - I commit to supporting our hardworking county employees. They are the heartbeat of our community and deserve a strong leader that advocates for equitable pay, benefits, safe working conditions, and opportunities for growth and advancement.
What is one issue you think is being overlooked in this race, and how would you address it?
The major issues that are being overlooked in this race are cybersecurity and insider threats to election infrastructure, pervasive election misinformation, and severe budget constraints.
I've taken the fight all the way to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to advocate for Pueblo at the national level to increase and preserve funding that will support and strengthen election infrastructure. I plan to continue my advocacy to preserve and defend the very foundation of our constitutional republic - elections.
Pervasive Election Misinformation - I've launched an aggressive project to inform the public of their local government services in all Clerk & Recorder Departments with an informational video series on Life of a Ballot, and non-partisan presentations at local schools. Knowledge and understanding of these processes is power. I also actively encourage the public to tour the election office and see the process for themselves, ask questions, and learn directly from the source.
Budget Constraints - I've secured over $2 Million dollars in grant funding in my first term without a paid grant writer and will continue to seek grant funding in the future to reduce constraints.
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