Democratic Party calls for end to taxpayer funding of Sheriff Lucero’s anti-union lawsuit
By Monica Hughes, Communications Director
Pueblo — The Pueblo Democratic Party is deeply concerned about the continued misuse of public funds to support Sheriff David Lucero’s lawsuit against International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO) Local 837.
Pueblo County is home to strong Democratic leaders who live our values every day. Commissioner Miles Lucero, Clerk Candace Rivera, Treasurer Kim Archuleta, and Assessor Frank Beltran fight for working families, responsible governance, and putting the people of Pueblo first. They make tough decisions with the community’s best interests at heart and demonstrate what it means to be a Democrat—not just in name, but in action.
The Pueblo Democratic Party has always stood with working-class families and unions. Strong unions mean strong communities. When a Democrat in office turns their back on working people, we call it out. We don’t just go along with it because they wear a “D” next to their name. Democrats hold our leaders accountable when they fail to uphold our values.
The Democratic platform is clear: “Democrats believe in strengthening labor laws to remove barriers that prevent workers from organizing.”
Sheriff Lucero is creating barriers, not removing them. That is not what Democrats do. C.R.S. § 8-3.3-103 guarantees collective bargaining rights for deputies. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and the Attorney General’s Office have already ruled against Sheriff Lucero’s arguments. Party affiliation means nothing if your actions do not align with Democratic values.
Pueblo deputies put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. They formed a union for the same reasons teachers, nurses, firefighters, the Pueblo police, and public servants like IBPO Local 537—who have been around for decades—do: to have a voice. Sheriff Lucero is ignoring the law, our values, and the workers who risk their lives for this community.
The Board of County Commissioners has now approved $45,000 in taxpayer money to fund Sheriff Lucero’s lawsuit against his own deputies. This is a waste of public resources. The Democratic platform is clear: “Government should be responsible and accountable to the people.” That money could be used for public safety, community programs, or services that actually benefit Pueblo families.
Commissioners Paula McPheeters and Zach Swearingen, who voted to approve this spending, have failed their duty to the people of Pueblo County. County Commissioners are the checks and balances—they were elected to scrutinize how taxpayer dollars are spent, not to rubber-stamp bad decisions. The people of Pueblo County elected them to make responsible choices, not to act as a blank check.
The Pueblo Democratic Party is demanding an immediate end to taxpayer funding for Sheriff Lucero’s anti-union lawsuit.
We have asked, continue to ask, and will keep demanding that Sheriff Lucero end his union-busting efforts, respect his deputies, and come to the table in good faith. Supporting workers is a core Democratic value, and we will not stand by while one of our own undermines labor rights.
