Numerous supporters of the license plate legislation testified before State House and Senate committees in person and via Zoom. Pictured above are (top row) Neva Martinez Ortega, Dr. Victoria Obregon, (middle row) Denise Torrez, Jose Ortega, Shirley Romero Otero, Dr. Jonathan Alcantar, (lower right) Deborah Espinosa. Each advocate testified about their own experiences with the Chicano Movement and the obstacles they had overcome to succeed in their careers. Several spoke about the value of Chicano youth programs and how they have changed our state’s history and influenced their own professional development. Collectively the group talked about how a Chicana/o License Plate could document the role Latinos have played in Colorado history and predicted that more emphasis on youth programs would encourage future generations of leaders.
Move Mountains is more than a name
By SHIRLEY ROMERO OTERO As the Executive Director of the Move Mountains Youth Project Inc., I have been a supporter of the Chicano License Plate Initiative since its inception. Many of us testified before the Colorado State Legislature several times in support of this bill, which passed with bipartisan support. The fact that purchase of… Continue reading Move Mountains is more than a name
Proud to play a small role in the Movement
By St. Sen. JULIE GONZALES Over the past few weeks since Trump won re-election, I have listened to friends and family members speaking in hushed tones about the unsettling feeling of politics happening to us, instead of with us. In these complicated times, our society has become increasingly individualized, leading to greater isolation. How… Continue reading Proud to play a small role in the Movement
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
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
“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 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
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
Know what’s up? Tell the Cuc
We want to hear your story ideas, news tips and feedback La Cucaracha News is looking for eyes and ears in the Pueblo community to help us report local news. We want to report untold stories about what public officials are doing with our tax money in city and county governments, the school districts, other… Continue reading Know what’s up? Tell the Cuc