About Me

My story is almost obnoxiously American.

My father immigrated to the United States from Caracas, Venezuela and would eventually learn English as his third language. He met my cheerleader Mom on a Texas Air Force base before starting their family in the San Francisco Bay Area. When I was 3 weeks old my family moved to Arapahoe county and never looked back, falling in love with the beauty of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains.

I was 12 when my parents divorced. Like many women of her generation my Mom went from her family home to her husband’s, and had never truly taken care of herself or paid her own bills before. I saw through direct experience how scary and unfriendly the world can be for women with little knowledge of how to navigate the world or advocate for themselves. It became very clear that the corporate, medical & government systems we live our lives in, are simply not made for all of us. If you don’t fit within a narrow view of what is acceptable, there is little help for you. This is still too often the case.

I started my adult life burnt out and heavily in debt I didn’t create. With nearly $30k hanging around my neck, my options were fairly limited- I had to work and pay (not just my) bills. I spent years working multiple overlapping jobs in retail/food service/sales and even an auto parts warehouse, while also volunteering for Democratic organizations and campaigns. I hoped that if I gained enough experience, I could eventually help a lot of people. In 2012 I got my big break leading the Linda Newell re-election team to a strong victory in Senate District 26, a nationally top-targeted race! While my career was on the rise- that large debt plus medical issues, unreliable transportation, and the inability to secure long-term housing, would continue to keep me from saving for rainy days. Whether it was a drastic rent increase, a sale of the property, loss of a roommate, or a lack of safety- it just always seemed to be raining.

Not everyone can make ends meet working weird hours at multiple gig jobs or can stay with family for a few months while they get back on their feet. While I got lucky, I’ve never forgotten how it feels to know that one missed paycheck or one flat tire would be all it took to bring me to the edge of homelessness.

Eventually I brought my experience and passion for empowering women to the State Capitol, where I helped to pass economic reforms that directly helped Coloradans. I’ve helped lead the coalitions that passed FAMLI leave & worker accommodations, as well as led the political fights to protect workers from harassment. Last year I even directed a campaign that helped place the right to an abortion in the Colorado State Constitution. I will always stand up for women and working people.

Now my plumber partner and I both run our own small businesses in Englewood and live with a trio of dogs in our beloved fixer-upper home. We are fortunate, but like everyone else who isn’t a billionaire, the economy is hitting us hard. Along with many other Americans who are suffering under Trump’s tariffs, we’re also back to looking at gig work to help bridge the financial gaps caused by rapid inflation. We need to elect leaders who know the fears and struggles of living paycheck to paycheck and who will prioritize helping others avoid it. Leaders who are willing to focus on the pocketbook issues impacting our daily lives, and who will actively fight for us. I’ve been fighting and working to dismantle inequitable systems my entire career.

I know what havoc a missed paycheck, a broken bone, or a flat tire can bring into your life—because I know what terror and havoc it’s brought upon mine.

I’m running for the State House because we deserve leaders with the experience needed to protect Colorado from federal overreach.

I am ready to take on the fights worth having on day one—because I’ve been fighting to dismantle inequitable systems my entire career.

I’ve fought hard to be where I am, and I’ve fought hard to protect Coloradans.

Now I am ready to fight for you.