Board Member Profiles - Stephen Varela

Stephen Varela (R)

3rd Congressional District, Pueblo
Terms of Office: January 2023 - January 2025

Stephen A. Varela, representing the 3rd Congressional District, was appointed on Jan. 1, 2023. He is proud to be the first Latino to represent Congressional District 3.  

Mr. Varela holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Chicano studies from Colorado State University Pueblo. 

Mr. Varela is a dedicated community activist and has served on numerous boards and commissions. He served on the Board of East Side Child Care Center and Early Learning Ventures Advisory Council. He also sat on the Board of Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy, a charter school serving the Pueblo community where his work resulted in securing a BEST grant to help update facilities and bring new opportunities to students. He also served on the Pueblo County Planning and Zoning Commission working to help revitalize the community.  

While working for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Mr. Varela served as a Labor Official of the American Federation of Government Employees, advocating for employee rights and safe working conditions for all employees. He also cofounded the Student Veterans of America at CSU-P and the Pueblo Voter Registration Project helping to support veterans and engage community members. 

Mr. Varela is married to his wife of 14 years, Kayla P. Varela; both are veterans. During Mr. Varela’s military service, he was deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom the first with Active Duty Army and the second with the Colorado Army National Guard. Mr. Varela and his wife currently reside in Pueblo and have four children ranging from ages 7-15. He is the only board member with children currently in the K-12 educational system.