legacy from Denver
My ancestors are tied to this land.
We’ve been here for generations, working the fields, leading protests in the streets, and fighting against discrimination and oppression. The City of Denver displaced my mother from her childhood home to build the Auraria Higher Education Campus.
After graduating from North High School and Colorado State University, I couldn’t afford to move back to Denver. My husband and I worked hard so we could raise our kids in the same area where we grew up.
We know what it’s like to be displaced, to be priced out, to work hard and fight for dignity.
career for Denver
I’ve spent my career helping Denver families.
My first job out of college was with Denver Human Services, connecting families to community resources, developing treatment plans for children in need of out-of-home-placement, and helping families and children navigate the court system. For the last ten years, I have served as Director of the Denver Collaborative Partnership, helping children, youth, and families navigate the complex systems of mental health, education, child welfare, and the juvenile justice system.
I work with Denver agencies and community partners to streamline services, keep kids in school, and address substance use.
Leading with Denver
Community leads my work at the State Capitol.
Together, we’ve passed over sixty bills including Equal Pay for Equal Work, stopping ICE from raiding state databases for immigration enforcement, securing over $500 million for affordable housing, strengthening protections for renters and tenants, establishing a regulatory framework for deadly air toxins, and allocating $450 million for behavioral health with a focus on creating more beds for children and youth in need of treatment.
As your State Representative for the Northside and Westside, I’ve held a lot of titles: House Assistant Majority Leader, Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus Co-Chair, Colorado Commission and Juvenile Justice Commission Legislative Appointee, Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force Vice-Chair.
Through each experience, I’ve navigated complex problems and emerged with solutions, propelled by the support and power of my community.
