Frustrations over antagonistic immigration policies and unmet needs of Colorado’s Latino community were on full display at the State Capitol today as some 500+ participants in the 19th Annual Latino/a Advocacy Day (LAD) were joined by well over 1,500 others for a march and rally urging lawmakers to pass legislation that will improve the lives of Latinas and Latinos around the state.
“Since launching LAD 19 years ago, Latinos have made tremendous strides in advancing more equitable policies for our communities in Colorado. But as we have witnessed from the recent actions of some state and federal lawmakers, we still have far to go as a state and a nation,” said Colorado LAD founder Dusti Gurule, President and CEO of Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR). “Whether it’s the fight for Immigrant Justice, Reproductive Justice, Economic Justice, or one of the many other inequities targeting our communities, Latinos will continue rising up to meet the moment and do what’s needed to ensure a fair and just future for all.”
Colorado Latino/a Advocacy Day started in 2007 as a response to anti-immigrant policies including federal and state legislative proposals to ban public services and classify millions of undocumented immigrants as felons.
Pushback against renewed anti-immigrant sentiment continued to be expressed in Denver on Monday as the largest number of participants in the annual event’s 19-year history drew inspiration from renowned civil rights leader and Presidential Medal of Freedom award winner Dolores Huerta, who took part as guest of honor in the Stand with Immigrants-themed march through downtown Denver and a speaker at the ensuing LAD rally at the Capitol.
“Colorado, you have always been at the forefront of the civil rights struggle, and I am glad to see that you are taking your place again today,” said Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union alongside Cesar Chavez. “Latino Advocacy Day is an inspiration — and an example of what we need to do all over the United States.”
Since 2007, LAD Denver has deepened the connection between elected officials and the community, bringing lawmakers and community members together to share stories, increase awareness, and advocate for issues facing Colorado’s Latino communities. Yet, in 2025, Latinas and Latinos in Colorado again find themselves at the intersection of anti-immigrant attacks from the federal government, including indiscriminate mass deportations violently separating Colorado immigrant families, as well as attempts to bring back 2006-era anti-immigrant legislation during the current legislative session.
As new frustrations mount in response to such policies, LAD organizers and participants are looking to state officials to protect the civil rights of immigrants in Colorado, along with additional Latino policy priorities focused on Immigrant Justice, Reproductive Justice, Worker Protections, Language Justice, and Economic & Housing Justice.
“Latinas and Latinos from all across Colorado demand legislative action to address our diverse needs and concerns,” said Alex Sánchez, President and CEO of Voces Unidas. “From pocketbook issues to housing to immigration, LAD participants are concerned that lawmakers are not addressing our policy priorities. Immigrant workers and business owners in Colorado generate more than $50 billion of economic output and annually pay more than $2 billion in state and local taxes in addition to more than $4 billion in federal taxes. If we fully support immigrants, Colorado can unlock even greater potential for growth and opportunity for everyone.”
Just past the halfway point of the 2025 legislative session, LAD participants took advantage of the opportunity to hear from several elected officials over the weekend before carrying their own messages to the Capitol on Monday, where they took part in dozens of advocacy meetings with state senators and representatives following the spirited march and rally.
Prior to Monday’s march, more than 500 people attended this year’s LAD program over the weekend – a record turnout for the event that has included a total of nearly 6,000 participants since inception. Year after year, LAD continues to broaden its reach statewide, with more than half the participants coming from outside the Denver-metro area in 2025.
Following two days of issue education and advocacy training on Saturday and Sunday, LAD participants joined other supporters marching to the capitol.
For many, LAD served as an introduction to advocacy and the legislative process. But since 2021, both new and experienced advocates alike have been guided by the annual Colorado Latino Policy Agenda report to help direct lawmakers toward key areas of change through policies that affect the daily lives of Latinos from across the state.
Participants this year advocated in support of five specific bills, including SB-031 (Multilingual Emergency Notifications), HB-1286 (Protecting Workers from Extreme Temperatures), HB-1004 (Ensure Accessible Rent Prices), SB-183 (Abortion Access for All), and SB-130 (Ensure Emergency Care Access). Participants also demanded the introduction of legislation in Colorado to make sure local governments protect personal data, enhance law enforcement transparency, and protect the civil rights of immigrants in public schools.
This year’s LAD was convened by Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR), COLOR Action Fund, Voces Unidas de las Montañas and Voces Unidas Action Fund.