Zach was born and raised in Pueblo Colorado, attended Centennial High School and graduated from Colorado State University-Pueblo with a degree in Political Science. Upon graduating college, Zach enlisted in the United States Navy. He completed the grueling training to become a U.S. Navy SEAL. Zach held multiple leadership positions throughout his time in the SEAL teams to include but not limited to: Lead Sniper, Lead Breacher, Lead Multipurpose Canine Handler, Lead Navigator/Pointman, Fireteam Leader and Assault Lead. Zach completed multiple combat deployments with many accolades and got out of the Navy in late 2015.

Zach met his wife Lexi shortly before his last deployment and they were married very soon after he returned from Afghanistan. Lexi and Zach have three young children – twin daughters Isabella and Sadie and their son Oliver.

After returning to Pueblo, Zach, Lexi and Zach’s father, Robert Swearingen, founded Republic Shooting Range in Avondale, Colorado, in 2016. Zach is also the founder and owner of The Beach fitness club.

Zach was elected Pueblo County Commissioner in 2022 and is currently serving in his first term. He has also served as vice chair of the Pueblo County Planning Commission, on the board of Pueblo Diversified Industries (PDI) and the “Home of Heroes” board.

Service is vitally important to Zach. He loves his hometown and believes in it. He want’s the best possible community for his family and yours and looks forward to serving all Pueblo County residents.

In addition to chairing the Pueblo Means Business Advisory Committee and creating and chairing the Pueblo County Homeless Advisory Commission, Commissioner Swearingen represents Pueblo County on the additional boards and commissions:

• Pueblo Area Council of Governments
• Desert Hawk at Pueblo West Management Board
• Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo Authority
• Fountain Creek Watershed, Flood Control and Greenway District (alternate)
• Action 22
• Pueblo Development Foundation
• Pueblo Economic Development Foundation
• Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
• Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center Board
• Airport Advisory Committee

Sheriff David J. Lucero is a 22-year-veteran law enforcement officer starting his career with the Lamar (Colorado) Police Department. Sheriff Lucero came to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office in 2004 and has served here as a: 

• Patrol Deputy 
• Child Crimes Detective 
• Major Crimes Detective 
• Sergeant 
• Internal Affairs Inspector 
• Detention Operations Captain 
• Patrol Captain 
• Law Enforcement Bureau Chief 
• Detention Bureau Chief 
• Undersheriff

On October 11th, 2022, David was sworn in as the Sheriff of Pueblo County when the Pueblo Board of County Commissioners appointed him to serve the remainder of Sheriff Taylor's term. He was elected Sheriff in the November 2022 general election.

Sheriff Lucero has served as Vice President and President of the Colorado Jail Association and as a Technical Resource Provider for the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections. Sheriff Lucero also serves as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal assigned to the U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force. 

Education & Training
Sheriff Lucero is a graduate of Colorado State University-Pueblo, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Rocky Mountain Command College and the 271st session of the F.B.I. National Academy.  Sheriff Lucero graduated in May of 2022 with his Master of Public Safety from the University of Virginia.  

Candace Rivera has been an advocate in Pueblo County serving the community, in various roles for many years.

She began her career as a successful small business owner, working as a federal contractor for 20 years.

Upon obtaining her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, Candace began serving as a Victim Advocate with ACOVA (A Community Organization for Victim Assistance). As an unpaid volunteer, Candace 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, she also advocated for domestic violence survivors at the YWCA.

Candace’s public service continued when she became a Victim Assistance Specialist at the District Attorney's Office. There, she advocated for victims’ rights in the judicial system during countless trials and hearings.

Candace then became a paralegal at a local law firm where she interacted with clients and provided legal assistance to a team of attorneys. She prepared correspondence, conducted research and filed documents with the courts while maintaining her in-depth knowledge of the Colorado Revised Statutes and all applicable legislation.

Most recently, Candace was elected to serve as the Pueblo County Clerk & Recorder. As an Elected Official, she manages the largest administrative office in the County with 60 staff members in three divisions: Elections, Recording, and Motor Vehicle. Her love of public service has driven her to implement efficiencies, improve processes, advocate to save taxpayer dollars at the state and local levels, improve the customer service experience, and increase staff morale while still volunteering for the Pueblo Community Soup Kitchen and the Special Olympics.  

Candace has been recognized over the years for her unwavering dedication to the community with the following honors:

Presidential Award of Honor - Awarded by President Barack Obama for 1000 hours spent on crime scenes in just one year.

Meritorious Unit Award – Awarded by the Pueblo County Sheriff for outstanding service to victims in Pueblo County.

Volunteer of the Year - Awarded by the Pueblo County Sheriff for outstanding achievement.

Outstanding Trial Team Achievement - Awarded by the Pueblo County District Attorney.

Leadership Pueblo Graduate – 2019

Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance Academy Graduate - 2019

Candace has also served on various community boards including:

• Pueblo Crime Stoppers
• Friends of ACOVA 
• The Domestic Violence Task Force

Candace is a dedicated, ethical, and noble public servant. She leads with heart and is a true advocate for those in need of support. 

Pueblo County Treasurer Kim Archuletta, a Pueblo native, graduated from East High School and then went on to earn her BSBA in Business Administration from Colorado State University Pueblo, making her a first-generation college graduate.  She is the proud mother of two children; Ashlee and Ryan. 

Upon graduating, Kim worked as a Senior Banker with US Bank where she built a diverse clientele and was recognized for being a top banker exceeding her sales goals. She also worked as an executive assistant for Pueblo School District 60 where she managed the budgets for Facilities and all capital projects.

Kim has served as chairwoman to two top regulatory boards since 2018 and believes that this is one small way to give back to her community. She is dedicated to public service and honored to serve as Pueblo County Treasurer where she will be able to utilize her knowledge, experience and education to serve the place she proudly calls home.