John B. Cordova, Sr., calls Pueblo home. He moved to Pueblo from the State of New Mexico in 1952 when his father was hired by Colorado Fuel & Iron. He was raised in Eastwood Heights, attended schools in the Pueblo City School District, and went on to graduate from the University of Southern Colorado (CSU-Pueblo) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering Technology.
He is a Vietnam Era Veteran. After serving 4 years in the Air Force, his first job was at the CF&I as a switchman for C&W Railroad. He became a general contractor, an occupation he still holds. He was employed by the Pueblo County Public Works Roads and Bridge (R&B) Department for 14 years. He started as a Laborer and advanced to Superintendent. He was President of AFSCME Local 867 for one year. During his employment with the R&B Department, he completed his degree in Civil Engineering Technology. He went on to work for the Kansas Department of Transportation. Commissioner Cordova moved back to Colorado to work for the Colorado Department of Health and Environment - Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division. After that, he worked for the Colorado Department of Human Services; and finally with the Colorado Department of Transportation in Pueblo where he retired.
Commissioner Cordova was elected Pueblo County Commissioner in September 2007; and was re-elected in November 2008 to a four-year term. In January 2011, he was elected Chairman of the Board. Commissioner Cordova also belongs to numerous boards and organizations. He is a member of AFSCME, Colorado Public Employee Retiree Chapter 76, and a member of the Board for Colorado Bluesky Enterprises. He also serves on the following boards: PACOG (Pueblo Area Council of Governments) – Chair 2010, Pueblo Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO), State Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC), NACO (National Association of Counties - Environment, Energy and Land Use), Desert Hawk at Pueblo West Management Board, Pueblo County Senate Bill 94 Committee, CMHIP (Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo) Advisory Committee, Latino Chamber of Commerce, I-25 Leadership Team, US 50 Corridor Community Working Group, and the Fountain Creek Watershed, Flood Control & Greenway District (alternate).
Commissioner Cordova, a strong family man, has 2 sons, 1 daughter, 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren – all who live in Pueblo; with the exception of his eldest grandson, a Boettcher Scholarship recipient, who currently lives in Texas.