Author: Juan Espinosa

Chicana/o License Plate journey began with 2nd grade teacher

How EMS became involved     In the 2004-2005 school year, a fateful relationship began.  Mrs. Denise Torrez, second grade teacher at Eva R. Baca Elementary School in Pueblo, CO,  welcomed a group of rambunctious second graders into her Dogpatch classroom.      Among the scholars in that group was a wide-eyed, mischievous, yet intelligent little… Continue reading Chicana/o License Plate journey began with 2nd grade teacher

Plate designed by distinguished group of Colorado artists

Photo by Anthony Maes

  The artistic design of the Chicana/o Special License Plate was facilitated in a community-driven process initiated by a group of artists convened at renowned Chicano muralist Leo Tanguma’s house. The group of artists met on February 4th, 2023 for over 8 hours to discuss relevant histories, symbols, and representations relevant to the design of… Continue reading Plate designed by distinguished group of Colorado artists

CHICANA/O LICENSE PLATE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY

Photo by Macaario M. Torrrez

“Help build our people with us”  By TIM HERNANDEZ    When you’re a State Representative, you are given only five laws you can try to pass in a 120 day legislative session. That’s the rule: five bills, no more. During my term, I ran bills on gun violence prevention, immigrant rights, strengthening unions, cultural rights… Continue reading CHICANA/O LICENSE PLATE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY

Pueblo City Council Passes Funds-Slashing Budget Despite Nonprofit Protests

By Chela Lujan

By DEVIN FLORES Before the opening of the Nov. 25 meeting of the Pueblo City Council, more than 70 Puebloans turned out in front of City Hall to protest the controversial proposed budget, which was to be voted on by the City Council that night. Despite this turnout, the budget ultimately passed 4 to 2,… Continue reading Pueblo City Council Passes Funds-Slashing Budget Despite Nonprofit Protests

Christmas Extravaganza at Columbian and Minnequa

The students were rewarded for the Ray Aguilera Vocabulary Challenge with a visit to the Pumpkin Patch.

By Deborah Martinez Martinez The Bessemer Christmas Extravaganza for Columbian and Minnequa Elementary Schools will continue this year thanks to the supporters of the Ray Aguilera Pueblo Poverty Foundation, according to Andrea Aguilera-Hansen, Ray’s daughter. Although former City Councilman Ray Aguilera passed in 2021, his Poverty Foundation continued with help from Abigail Spillman, School District… Continue reading Christmas Extravaganza at Columbian and Minnequa

Native American Authors

By Deborah Martinez Martinez As Native American Heritage Month winds down for 2024, there are many outstanding authors to read. Among them are Pulitzer Prize winning N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa), James Welch (Blackfeet and A’aninin), Janet Campbell Hale (Coeur d’Alene, Kootenay, and Cree), Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo), Joseph Bruchac (Abenaki), Vine Deloria Jr. (Standing… Continue reading Native American Authors

My two cents…

Editor’s Note: This essay was written the day the results of the most recent national election were known. It was originally posted on FaceBook by the author and shared with La Cucaracha. Full disclosure — Neva Quintana is the daughter of La Cucaracha Editor Juan Espinosa and his wife Deborah. She was born into La… Continue reading My two cents…

SPMDTU – Celebrating 125 years

Historic photo taken at the 1938 SPMDTU Convention at Antonito, CO.

Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos By Deborah Martinez Martinez The newly renovated SPMDTU hall in Antonito opened its doors to host the 84th convention on Sept. 13, 2024. According to President Ralph Maestas. SPMDTU (Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos, Mutual Protective Society of Workers United), is in its 125th year of operation. The… Continue reading SPMDTU – Celebrating 125 years