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.
