PRIORITIES
Housing
Health
Education
As an educator, instructional coach, and single mother, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges our schools and districts face every day. At Colorado Early College, I taught students navigating household poverty and housing insecurity, equipping them with essential workforce skills to help break the cycle of hardship. When classroom funding fell short, I stepped in personally, purchasing supplies and creating a safe, welcoming space for learning. I’ve seen my fellow teachers make similar sacrifices—and often even greater ones—because of their deep commitment to their students.
Yet teachers struggle to connect with students and support them in a system that lacks adequate resources. That’s why I ran for the school board: to ensure no educator or student is left behind. While we’ve made progress, there’s still so much more to accomplish.
Education remains my top priority, and I’m determined to do even more for our state's students. At the Capitol, I will fight to secure additional resources and champion innovative solutions that prepare every child for a brighter future.
I was fortunate to buy my townhome in House District 41 when housing was still relatively affordable in the early 2000s. As an immigrant who had recently arrived in the United States, becoming a homeowner reaffirmed my belief in the American Dream. It demonstrated that the hope shared by people around the world—of building a better life in America—was not just a dream but an achievable reality.
However, just a few years later, I witnessed the other side of that dream: the devastating housing crash of 2008. Many of my new neighbors lost their jobs and, ultimately, their homes. That experience underscored the vital importance of sound policies designed to protect everyday people from predatory practices and economic instability.
Today, the aftershocks of that crisis continue to ripple through our housing market. Skyrocketing home prices have made homeownership unattainable for far too many, particularly young people, middle- and working-class professionals, people of color, and immigrant communities like mine. Starter homes have become scarce due to outdated zoning laws, a shortage of inspectors, excessive red tape, cautious lenders, hesitant builders, and stagnant wages.
As Democrats, we have a responsibility to do better in our cities and states, ensuring people can afford to live in the communities they call home. In the House, I’ll work to streamline unnecessary regulations while protecting consumers from substandard construction. I’ll advocate for expanding down payment assistance programs and push for innovative policies that encourage the development of dense, affordable housing. Together, we can make the American Dream attainable for more of our neighbors.
I was elected to the Aurora Public Schools (APS) Board of Education towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of unprecedented challenges. Throughout my tenure, we’ve been focused on addressing the far-reaching impacts of the crisis—academic and beyond. Losing two or more years of their childhood has left many students grappling with profound mental and behavioral health challenges, making it challenging for them to learn. We’ve had to think creatively and maximize our resources to tackle these issues.
On the board, I have championed expanding access to mental health services and led efforts to prioritize students’ social and emotional well-being. By ensuring their basic human needs are met and creating an environment where they feel safe and secure, we’ve helped them regain the ability to focus on learning and growth.
While significant progress has been made to reduce healthcare costs, there’s still more work to do. At the legislature, I’ll collaborate with my colleagues to address rising insurance premiums, ensure treatments deemed necessary by professionals are covered, expand access to mental health services, and find ways to lower the costs of life-saving medications. Together, we can help Coloradans lead healthier, more affordable lives.
Economy
Vulnerable Populations
As an educator and single mother, I understand how challenging it can be to stretch a paycheck. I’ve had to make tough choices—delaying grocery shopping to cover the mortgage, sacrificing to ensure my daughter can participate in extracurricular activities and receive the after-school support she needs, and preparing to take on debt so she can afford college—all while still paying off my own student loans.
Although Colorado has one of the strongest economies in the country, the benefits of this prosperity are not shared equitably. Too many families continue to struggle to achieve economic security.
That’s why expanding economic opportunity has always been central to my work on the Aurora Public School Board of Education. I’ve championed innovative job training programs to prepare students for the future, supported raising salaries for teachers and staff, and fought to expand FAMLI benefits for educators.
In the statehouse, I’ll continue this advocacy by pushing for prevailing wage laws, removing barriers for small businesses, and working to lower costs for Colorado families. Together, we can create an economy where every family—not just a fortunate few—has the opportunity to succeed.
I recently lost both of my parents due to health issues, and I understand how important it is to protect those who depend on Medicare, Social Security, and pensions like PERA. My parents didn’t have the same safety nets we have in the United States and faced many struggles accessing their pension, making their retirement years unnecessarily stressful and challenging. Our seniors deserve to have the promises made to them honored. I will work to ensure that PERA is adequately funded, protect and expand the Homestead Exemption so that more seniors can stay in their homes, and find ways to increase participation in the Colorado SecureSavings Program. Seniors in our community deserve to live safely, healthily, and with independence.
Environment
Colorado is on the front lines of the climate crisis, facing increasingly frequent wildfires, floods, and heat waves. Our most vulnerable communities bear the heaviest burden, suffering the impacts of corporate pollution and the ongoing effects of a warming planet. Tackling climate change is not just about protecting our environment; it’s about safeguarding our health, our economy, and our way of life.
As a legislator, I will fight to reduce our carbon footprint, build resilience against climate disasters, and create a sustainable future by Incentivizing private-sector investment in large-scale renewable energy infrastructure to power Colorado sustainably, strengthening building codes to ensure new construction is energy-efficient and climate-resilient. And collaborating with conservation scientists to restore forests, promote biodiversity, and protect Colorado’s natural beauty. By prioritizing bold, innovative solutions, we can protect our communities, preserve our environment, and ensure Colorado thrives for generations to come.
Safety
As a criminal justice professional, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of systemic issues in our society. I’ve witnessed the heartbreak of gun violence, including incidents involving students, and experienced personal violations, such as having my home broken into twice. These events underscore the urgent need to tackle the root causes of crime rather than politicizing the actions of a few or scapegoating individuals for broader societal challenges.
We need a balanced approach that supports victims while reducing recidivism through rehabilitation, restorative justice, prevention, and systemic reform. My experience as a member of the Aurora Police Department Oversight Committee has reinforced my belief in the importance of accountability, transparency, and a fair criminal justice system that delivers lasting solutions.
Our efforts must empower communities, provide second chances, and foster a safer, more equitable society—all while holding true criminals accountable. This requires a collective commitment to addressing underlying issues like poverty, mental health, and education, ensuring our justice system is both compassionate and effective in reducing crime. Together, we can build safer communities and create a system that works for everyone.