Cecelia Espenoza

Cecelia Espenoza was born in Murray, Utah. Espenoza earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah in 1979 and a law degree from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law in 1982. Her career experience includes working as a attorney, judge, and professor. She has been affiliated with the Round Table of Former Immigration Judges, Denver Cafecito, and University of Utah alumni board.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am the daughter of migrant farmworkers from Colorado who dropped out of the migrant stream in Utah to raise a family. I am the oldest of six children and my parents believed in education and service to the community. Living those values, I became a first-generation college graduate and was the second Latina to graduate law school and pass the Bar in Utah.

Going back to the fields to fight for justice, I began my career as a migrant attorney. In 1990, I became the first Latina law school professor in Colorado, teaching Evidence, Criminal Law and Immigration and supervising students in the Criminal Law Clinic. I then moved to San Antonio Texas to teach at St. Mary's University.

I was appointed by the Clinton Administration as an Appellate Judge on the highest Immigration Court in the country. When I was purged from that position for political reasons I served as a Senior Counsel at the Department of Justice with Top Secret Clearance. I was the Records Officer, Privacy Officer and Senior Freedom of Information Act counsel.

Since leaving the federal government I have spent countless hours as a volunteer for the Denver Democratic Party: Chairing the Platform and Diversity and Inclusion committees; developing a code of conduct for the county; and serving as the Captain of House District 4B where I have led Get Out the Vote, Fundraising and Monthly meetings. I seek to serve all of the residents of House District 4 with leadership, tenacity and experience.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Housing: Affordability, access and tax relief are areas where I will work to improve housing. To address the root causes we must change land-use laws, expand public/private partnerships, and incentivize the building of safe, affordable housing.Education: Our school system needs to successfully provide every student in Colorado with a world-class education. We have to make the right investments in student success through technological innovations, making sure our school buildings are modern and safe, and paying our teachers the salary they deserve.Healthcare: I believe that healthcare, including mental health and reproductive freedom is a basic human right. We need to do everything we can in Colorado to increase access, lower prices and ensure that women and members of the LGBTQI+ community have access to healthcare.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am committed to passing legislation that advances the common good. My background and experience allow me to evaluate and improve legislation by focusing on the best ways to accomplish what is being proposed. For more information on my positions on issues check out my website at: www.Cecelia4Colorado.com

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Experience and the ability to listen and respond to the needs of constituents. It is critical to remember that the job is for the people and not self-promotion.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Leadership, tenacity and experience.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I remember two unpaid jobs that preceded my first paid job. The first was working for my dad on weekends. My father was a barber who built a business from one shop to three before his service connected back injury eliminated his ability to work. When he had his first shop, we lived in housing located behind the shop and my siblings and I would help out at the shop by cleaning it on Sunday. My next “job” was semi-unpaid. Like so many children of working-class parents, I was a babysitter for my siblings and cousins. That job lasted for years because as the oldest cousin in the family, it was my responsibility to care for my younger siblings. My first paid job lasted a summer when I worked as a waitress for a local Chinese restaurant.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have spent my entire life in rooms where no one else looked like me. I had to figure out how to navigate spaces that weren’t created with women or minorities in mind, and how to be in places where others thought I didn’t belong. I never walked away from the challenges and always built a path for others to actualize their potential with less trauma than I faced.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

As part of the check and balance system inherent to the political process, each branch of government has a role to play. Sometimes the executive and legislative body work together to develop laws in the public’s interest by creating jointly negotiated legislation. At other times the legislature advances laws and policies without the governor’s input. However, since the governor has the power to veto legislation, effective representatives listen to a governor's concerns regarding proposed legislation and address them in order to minimize wasting time by passing laws that will be vetoed.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Housing, Healthcare, Education and Transportation are all vital concerns. Additionally, our state will need to transition from oil and gas to renewable energy. At the same time, water and the impacts of climate change will also need to be addressed.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes. As a person who has served at the local, state and federal level of government I know that experience and understanding how and when different levels of government should act is important. For example, my years in teaching, writing about, and practicing immigration law uniquely qualifies me to navigate the intersections between local, state, and federal capacities.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. Building relationships advances the capacity to create better legislation because you can work together to advance issues with a common purpose.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I met a man who became a US citizen last year. He is looking forward to voting in my election and the election in the fall. He also shared that he has three children and he had just returned from Boston after attending his oldest son’s Master’s graduation from Harvard. This son and his brother both attended Wesleyan University and their sister will graduate from Colgate College next year. This voter’s commitment to give his children the best opportunity possible is such a shining example that people are still reaching for, and obtaining the American Dream.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Gun Safety is a significant concern for the voters in my district. I will propose creating a tax credit as an incentive to secure guns. Too often we only take a punitive approach to gun safety and I believe that this approach could obtain bipartisan and diverse stakeholder support. I would choose this as a first bill to establish my ability to build coalitions and work across the aisle.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Please see my campaign website for a list of my endorsements: https://www.cecelia4colorado.com/endorsements