Dolores Poeppel

Standing Beside the Broken: Nearly 50 Years of Advocacy and Compassion

You are a victim advocate for the Colorado State Patrol. Was there a moment early in your career when you realized this work was your calling?

In 1978, as a new employee with the Colorado State Patrol in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, I witnessed victims of traffic crashes arriving at our office carrying shock, grief, and confusion. Some were mourning loved ones, while the question of fault had yet to be determined. While troopers were focused on the important work of investigating the crashes, these victims often had no one to guide or comfort them through those overwhelming moments.

I stepped in—offering support, answers, and simply a listening ear. In doing so, I discovered my purpose. Those moments of heartbreak and uncertainty became the foundation of my life’s work as a victim advocate. They shaped not only a program, but the path I continue to walk today: standing alongside people in their darkest hours and helping them find a measure of hope amid loss.

How did you balance the demands of your work as a victim advocate with your family life?

As a victim advocate, I quickly realized the role demanded sacrifices unlike any I had known. I was on call seven days a week, 24 hours a day—working holidays, weekends, and sometimes responding in the early hours of the morning.

Yet no matter how urgent the call or how great the need of others, my love and commitment to my family remained my compass. During that season of my life, I had to carefully organize my days to ensure my family was cared for, even as I poured my heart into supporting victims in their darkest hours.

It was a delicate balance, but one that taught me resilience, the true meaning of service, and the importance of holding compassion for others while never losing sight of the people you love most.

What’s an accomplishment in your career that fills you with pride?

The accomplishment I’m most proud of is creating a program within the Colorado State Patrol to serve victims of traffic crashes—an often overlooked population. Our team became one of the first programs of its kind in the nation.

I also developed the unit’s first wellness program for civilian employees. This initiative reduced sick leave by 63% and fostered deep camaraderie, mutual support, and resilience among our team.

Because of this program, many of our advocates have remained committed to this work for more than 16 years, and many plan to continue serving as long as they are able. Together, these initiatives have created a lasting impact—strengthening both the lives of the victims we serve and the advocates who stand beside them.

What values guide the way you lead, create, or do business?

For me, leadership begins with integrity and ethics. I believe in honesty, doing the right thing, and leading with strong moral principles so the people I work with know they can trust me.

I also believe in empowering my team and trusting them to do their jobs without unnecessary bureaucracy. That trust builds confidence, accountability, and pride in their work.

Open communication and transparency are equally important to me. Sharing information strengthens relationships and helps teams work together more effectively. I value collaboration and respect, knowing that when diverse perspectives are welcomed, teams become stronger and better at solving problems.

Above all, I lead with empathy and compassion. When leaders genuinely care about the well-being of their people, it creates a resilient team that supports one another and stays committed to the mission they share.

How do you hope your work and story will inspire the next generation of women and girls?

I began my career in 1978 as a female civilian in a male-dominated, quasi-military profession. At the time, the path ahead was uncertain, and the obstacles were many.

Today, after nearly 48 years, I’m proud to have helped build the Colorado State Patrol Victim Services Unit into a nationally recognized leader in serving victims of traffic crashes—an often overlooked group that many states do not even recognize as victims of crime.

Thanks to Colorado’s Victim Rights Amendment, we are able to ensure these individuals receive the care and support they deserve. Our team is united by a mission to save lives, stand beside people in their darkest hours, and demonstrate that courage, compassion, and dedication can break barriers and light the way for those who follow.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about leadership, integrity, or impact?

One of the most important lessons I have learned about leadership is that true impact is built on consistent integrity, especially when no one is watching.  Through intentional self-reflection, I’ve come to recognize that leadership is not defined by authority or recognition, but by the quiet, daily decisions to do what is right, to show up with authenticity, and to hold myself accountable to the same standards I expect of others. Taking time to reflect has allowed me to better understand my influence, acknowledge where I can grow, and remain grounded in purpose.  I’ve also learned that people don’t just follow direction, they respond to trust, transparency, and genuine care.  When a leader operates with integrity and commits to continuous self-reflection, it creates a ripple effect: it empowers others to act with courage, fosters resilience during uncertainty, and builds a culture where people feel valued and seen.  In the end, the legacy of a leader is not measured by outcomes alone, but by the strength, confidence, and purpose they inspire in others.

For nearly five decades, Dolores Poeppel has dedicated her career to standing beside victims of traffic crashes through her work as Director of the Victim Services Unit at the Colorado State Patrol. A pioneer in victim advocacy, she helped build a nationally recognized program grounded in compassion, support, and hope during life’s most difficult moments. Today, she speaks nationally and continues to champion the expansion of victim services programs nationwide.

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