Colorado
More than 927,000 Hispanics live in Colorado, which constitutes the largest minority population in the state since Hispanics represent 20% of the total population. Latinos in Colorado have a long history dating to Spanish conquistadors and the original Spanish-Mexican border; so many Hispanics have deep roots and many generations in the state as demonstrated by Hispanic representation in the U.S. Senate and local government. The Hispanic population also has a history of significant activism in the state with the farm workers and Chicano movement. The Latino population continues to grow and so does it electorate—12% of the Colorado electorate is Hispanic. Democracia Ahora assessed civic participation and community organizing across the state and determined that there is a real need to register, educate, mobilize, and organize Latinos in Colorado. Having begun its operations in the Pueblo County area, Democracia Ahora quickly began to build partnerships and connect with local Latino populations.
The needs are diverse and great in Colorado; Latinos are concerned with unemployment, a lack of education, tuition equity for undocumented populations, racial profiling, gang activities, and access to clean water as a result of a lack of environmental regulation. For example, 26% of Latino eligible voters in the state have not finished high school. But there are promising indicators. Approximately 30% of Hispanic eligible voters in the state are young Latinos aged 18 to 29 years old, which is a by far greater share of the state electorate as compared by overall youth in the state or nationally. And if young Latino turnout in 2008 is any indicator, young Latinos in Colorado show much promise for civic engagement. Democracia Ahora has committed to engage Latino youth in Colorado through its voter education, leadership training and issue-based community organizing.
Democracia Colorado
215 S. Victoria Avenue suite I
Pubelo, CO 81003
Office: (719) 545-2044
Fax: (719) 542-4657
Contact: info@democracia-ahora.org
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