More than 30 Latino leaders have now joined Voces Unidas for education and advocacy program in Mexico City

We wrapped up our third annual Civic Leader Education and Advocacy Program (CLEAP) in Mexico City over the weekend, bringing the number of Colorado leaders to participate in this international program to more than 30 since its inception in 2023.

Nine Colorado Latina leaders joined Voces Unidas for this year’s leadership and advocacy program in Mexico City from April 7-12, where they engaged in meaningful conversations with local leaders, field experts, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and federal policymakers on pressing binational policy issues like trade agreements, climate change and immigration. The combination of classroom discussions and hands-on experiences is designed to provide insight into social issues and develop strategies for promoting social change.

The 2025 cohort included several rural participants and leaders who self-identified as immigrants with a passion and interest in immigration policy.

Participants included:

• Consuelo Gaytan (New Castle)

• Brenda Ruiz Garcia (Denver)

• Vanessa Toribio Lopez (Glenwood Springs)

• Daniela Cerda Davila (Boulder)

• Maria Rios Ramos (Avon)

• Daysi Anchondo Chaparro (Glenwood Springs)

• Karina Toscano (Eagle)

• Nubia Sánchez (Silverthorne)

• Raquel Carrillo (Denver)

• Daniela Gonzalez (Glenwood Springs)

The group jumped right in on Monday night with a welcome dinner showcasing Mexican culture through flavorful local cuisine, a mariachi band and a gift exchange from local artisans before participants rolled up their sleeves for a series of policy discussions and planning sessions on day two.

Topics ranged from the impacts of climate change and trade on forced migration to an examination of the role of international policies in local contexts, while offering additional opportunity for an exchange of ideas about leadership and other timely issues for debate.

Following their day of preparation, CLEAP 2025 participants headed to the halls of Mexico’s Congreso de la Unión to gain a better understanding of how the federal legislative system works before meeting with elected officials. After touring the Cámara de Diputados, the group sat down for a working session with Congresswoman Maribel Solache González to discuss relevant issues of the day.

Later, participants made their way to the Senado de la República for a tour of the chamber before engaging in a working session with Senator Karina Isabel Ruiz Ruiz. Both Congresswoman Solache González and Senator Ruiz Ruiz serve as federal legislators who live in the U.S. and represent Mexicans living abroad in Mexico in the federal Congress.

The next day, participants engaged in education sessions on Mexico's political system with UNAM Professor Gustavo Zuniga and immigrant representation with Marco Cruz with Fuerza Migrante. In their final leadership workshop, participants reflected on how this program has helped them grow as leaders and how they can apply those leadership skills in their roles back in Colorado.

On the last day of the program, group members took advantage of the opportunity to visit museums and other cultural sites of Mexico City to further immerse themselves in the nation’s rich history before heading home to contemplate the successful week’s experience.

We are forever grateful for the support of community members and foundations that make this international experience possible and look forward to offering the opportunity to many more of Colorado’s Latino leaders in the years to come.