OUR MISSION. We are a multi-entity organization. Our C3, COLOR, is a community-rooted nonprofit organization that works to enable Latinx individuals and their families to lead safe, healthy, self-determined lives. We envision Latinx individuals and their families accessing opportunities and resources for the health of mind, body and spirit.
ABOUT COLOR. Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR) is a community-rooted nonprofit organization that works to enable Latinx individuals and their families to lead safe, healthy, self-determined lives through advocacy, organizing, policy and narrative work. Since 1998, we are building community power with, are accountable to, and positively impact Latinx individuals and families in urban and rural Colorado. Our work is intersectional and challenges all systems of oppression and tackles complex, intersecting, and nuanced issues; has a youth-to-elder approach that embraces a multi-generational continuum and a cultura-centric way that embraces a multiplicity of traditions, language, and cultural identities that resonate with our communities.
VALUES. We value justice and equity for all people: creating an awareness of intersectionality and the ways it is used to either support or marginalize Latinx communities. We are community rooted and work to create intergenerational opportunity and leadership. We model sex positivity and support Latinx individuals’ right to make their own decisions.
GOALS. COLOR exists to grow the number of youth-to-elder Latinx leaders; have an organized, vibrant, and sustained grassroots base; leverage the power of, and allyship with, public officials and partner organizations; and influence dominant narratives and policy change. The ultimate goal is to build power with Latinx individuals and families across Colorado in order to create the type of system and policy change that allows our communities to lead safe, healthy, and self-determined lives.
PROGRAMS.
COLOR programs advance our strategic priorities: (a) organizing, (b) leadership development, (c) framing, and (d) advocacy.
Cafecitos engage over 400 adults at five urban community sites, creating safe spaces for trust and community building in order to discuss youth sexual health and more.
* Civic Engagement/Organizing is our year-round, base-building, non-partisan effort to register and educate voters, and help expand the Latinx electorate in Colorado, which comprises 14%.
* Latina/o Advocacy Day is an annual day of action convened by COLOR in partnership with two Latinx-serving organizations where over 300 Coloradans voice concerns on 11 bills across several issues: reproductive justice, immigration justice, environmental justice, education justice, criminal justice, and economic and housing justice. This program takes into action what the Colorado Latino Policy Agenda helps identify as our communities’ priorities. (Est. 2006)
* Colorado Latino Policy Agenda is an annual effort that gathers input from community members via polling, survey and listening tour efforts on issues that most impact them and their families by polling, surveying and connecting individuals with elected officials to inform a statewide policy priorities platform for the legislative session in Colorado. (Est. 2021)
* LIPS (Latinas Increasing Political Strength) is a signature 10-week youth leadership program where up to 10 Latinas, ages 16-21, join a growing alumnae network of nearly 100 young leaders. (Est. 2009)
* Mujeres de COLOR is our 4-year award-winning Spanish-language radio program with parallel Facebook live feed, covering health care, immigration, and destigmatization. (Est. 2017)
* Legislative Policy and Regulatory efforts with state agencies support reproductive freedoms, economic security and immigrant rights by helping to pass proactive legislation and/or blocking harmful bills.
* Youth of COLOR is a fellowship on policy, communications, and organizing. Fellows, ages 18-25, activate cohorts of 20-30 youth through civic participation and more. (Est. 2020)
