Our Board
Perla Gheiler
Board Chair
Director at the Office on Aging at Denver Agency on Human Rights and Community Partnerships
Lizett Justa Gutierrez
Board Member
Skills: Behavior and Mental Health
PO Box 40991, Denver, CO 80204, USA
Dusti Gurule has been the President and CEO of the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR) and the COLOR Action Fund since 2017. COLOR is Colorado’s leading multi-entity reproductive justice organization, with a mission to enable Latinx individuals and their families to lead safe, healthy, and self-determined lives.
Dusti was born into an activist family who instilled the importance of equity, justice, and the dignity of all people. Her upbringing, rooted in the civil rights movements of the 1970s, laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to advancing various social issues. In 2004, Dusti served as the founding Executive Director for the Latina Initiative, a nationally recognized civic engagement and political leadership organization that amplifies the voices of Latinas across Colorado. Her vision helped launch Colorado’s Latino/a Advocacy Day and Latinas Increasing Political Strength (LIPS), which continue to be important spaces for Latino/a power building. From 2010 to 2017, Dusti was an appointee of President Obama, serving as a Regional Representative for the Secretary of Labor in seven states where she led education and coalition-building efforts, demonstrating her strong leadership skills.
In addition to her work at COLOR, Dusti serves as the board chair for Voces Unidas Action Fund, a community-based advocacy organization in Colorado’s central mountain region. Complementing her professional experience, Dusti’s academic journey has significantly shaped her career. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Chicano Studies from MSU Denver and a master’s in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. Her work and impact have been recognized through various awards, including the City of Denver Mayor’s Award for Diversity & Inclusion, Latinas First Foundation Unsung Heroine, Colorado Common Cause Craig Barnes Democracy Award, the Cesar Chavez Peace & Dignity Award, and the Vanguard Legacy Award from Groundswell Action Fund. In 2024, Dusti had the distinct honor of being inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.
Monica is the youngest daughter of immigrants and was born and raised in the picturesque rural community of Southern Colorado, fostering a deep-seated connection to community and service from an early age. Her educational path led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University, and shortly thereafter to attend University of San Francisco for her Masters, where she honed her passion for higher education and community engagement. With a background firmly grounded in academia, Monica has recently embarked on an exciting transition to COLOR, where she is dedicated to embodying her core value of serving others. With COLOR she has found profound fulfillment in giving back to the community and making a tangible impact on the lives of those around her.
When not actively contributing to her professional endeavors, you’ll often find Monica at the gym, embracing the therapeutic power of a good workout. She firmly believes in the importance of self-care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to sustain her energy and focus. Beyond her professional commitments, Monica holds a deep love for exploration and discovery. Whether jetting off to far-flung destinations or indulging in culinary escapades, she is always eager to broaden her horizons and immerse herself in the richness of diverse cultures.”
América Ramirez joined COLOR in Aug. 2019. América is a bi-cultural Mexicana-Americana and daughter of immigrants, born and raised in Colorado. She earned her bachelors’ degrees in integrative physiology and ethnic studies with a certificate in public health at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CU, América began working with pre-collegiate youth and advocating for social justice among historically marginalized communities. Then, she incorporated her passion for reproductive health when working for a pregnancy prevention program for teen girls, a majority identifying as Latinx. América is passionate about reproductive justice, social equity, dismantling institutionalized oppression, civic engagement among historically disenfranchised populations, and access to quality education and healthcare – and she is in her dream job at COLOR. América enjoys traveling, live music, and engaging in introspective platicas and spending quality time with family and friends.
Vanessa (she/her/ella) is a fourth-generation Mexican-American who was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her policy advocacy background is rooted in community organizing, with over 15 years of non-profit experience fighting for social justice. During this time, she has had the privilege of collaborating, learning and building power, together with immigrant and Latine communities in Nebraska and across Latin America.
Much of her career has been based in Nebraska, where she worked with Nebraska Appleseed to support community leaders statewide to engage with elected officials, drive political agendas and pass inclusive state and federal policy. Vanessa is passionate about building power through participation, collaborating with local advocates to build systems and policies that work for all of us and to take part in the decision making that affects their lives.
Vanessa also spent five years based in Mexico City as the Americas Regional Coordinator for the International Detention Coalition, making policy recommendations and supporting governments and civil society partners in various countries to reduce the use of the extremely harmful and unnecessary practice of immigration detention.
Beginning in 2019, Vanessa became more involved in the reproductive justice movement, motivated both by her personal experience navigating endometriosis and infertility, and by witnessing whole communities harmed in her home state when legislators attacked and eventually banned gender affirming and abortion healthcare, denying individuals the right to make decisions about their own bodies.
As a recent member of the Colorado community, Vanessa has found her social justice home with the COLOR team and is excited to continue to learn from and build power together with these amazing local Latine leaders and families.
Vanessa holds Master’s degrees in Latin American Studies and Community and Regional Planning from The University of Texas at Austin.
Gena Ozols is Vice President of Political Affairs after rejoining the COLOR and COLOR AF team to lead on our outreach campaigns and political power building after previously serving as our Political Director from 2019-2021. A lifelong Coloradan, Gena has created and implemented statewide electoral campaigns on behalf of abortion rights organizations, labor unions, racial justice and the progressive candidates moving our state forward. She also owns a small business which provides strategic consultation to smaller nonprofits, and has deep experience in skills-based and power building candidate training.
Jennifer Arreola-Soria (she/her/ella) is a first-generation Mexican-American pursuing her Associate of Arts degree in History at the Community College of Denver and will be transferring to Metropolitan State University of Denver to finish her Bachelor’s degree in Spring of 2024. She first joined COLOR as a LIPS participant in 2020. After her time as a LIPS participant, Jennifer joined the canvassing team to defend abortion access in Colorado. She then applied for the Youth of COLOR Fellowship as an Organizing Fellow in 2021 and carved her space in the organization. Her time as a youth advocate in High School and recent work with COLOR has now brought her full circle to this staff position. Jennifer’s passion for Reproductive Justice stems from the strong women in her life who taught her to always speak up for what she believes in, and that with hard work – great things can happen. Jennifer enjoys traveling, talking endlessly about history and its funny way of repeating itself, and spending time with friends, family, and her two dogs Loki and Yoda.
Nicole Guzman (she/her/ella) is a storyteller with a passion for sharing the stories of the Latine community in Denver, Colorado. She attended The School of The New York Times, where she wrote her first story on how multimedia hypersexualization of Latina women impacted Latina youth in Denver. Since then, her interest in representing and sharing the stories of her community grew into a passion.
Nicole attended the University of Denver having received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism Studies and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. She has reported on pressing issues impacting the Latinx community including mental health, substance misuse, and immigration. She is the former Creative Leader for a non-profit in Denver working with youth to share the stories of their community in Westwood. She worked closely with youth and government agencies to provide resources and solutions to issues in their communities from creating gun violence prevention campaigns to conducting youth forums for mental health awareness. Today, she creates media content and runs social media campaigns for COLOR, bringing attention to the efforts and values of COLOR’s mission to advance reproductive justice for everyone.
Aside from her professional career, she is a dog mom of one to a Siberian husky named Zoey, loves to hike and visit the mountains, values time with her friends and family, and considers herself a boba enthusiast.
Liliana Salcido Beltrán is a first-generation Mexican American with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, as well as experience in public health research. Her undergraduate psychology research at Regis University focused on the ways Marianismo, Mujerismo, and Machismo affect cis Mexican mens’ aggression towards women. Her passion for this research was inspired by her desire to understand why so many femicides happen in the borderlands of Mexico, which is where her family is originally from. This research was showcased at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s 2023 Annual Convention. Additionally, after graduating college, Liliana’s lifelong passion for human rights and reproductive justice led her to work in the public health research industry. Her experience in studying the psychology of her own Latinx community combined with her background in public health fueled her desire for advocacy work and community organizing. Currently, Liliana works as the Communications and Outreach Coordinator, providing support for the planning, developing, and coordinating of communications projects, such as social media and advertising content, as well as community outreach events. In her spare time, Liliana loves to travel, rewatch The Office, play with her 2 dogs and cat, and watch an endless amount of true crime documentaries and podcasts.
Mariah Guerrero is an advocate with a background in both government and the nonprofit sector. Her commitment to service is deeply rooted in her and her family’s lived experiences. Throughout her career, she has witnessed the transformative power of diverse voices in decision-making processes. She is dedicated to uplifting community voices to disrupt inequitable systems, with a particular focus on progressive policies in healthcare, housing, and immigration.
Mariah previously worked in the housing space and served as a family advocate for single-parent and immigrant families where she helped them navigate healthcare, education, and access to economic opportunities. During this time, she gained a deeper understanding of the link between housing and reproductive justice. Prior to her direct service work, she served as a United States Senate legislative intern, and as a legislative aide for the Colorado House of Representatives.
She is a lifelong learner and a proud first-generation student. She holds a Master’s in International Studies and Public Policy from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies. Her research interests include migration and social movements in Latin America.
In her free time, she enjoys concerts, martial arts, and spending time with her family and two dogs, Rosie and Leo.
A proud Denver native and DPS alum, I embraced the journey of education as an adult, earning my bachelor’s degree with determination and passion. Coming from a big Mexican family, I’ve always cherished the vibrant connections that family and friends bring to life. I have a deep love for dancing, music, and travel, often seeking out new adventures and experiences that celebrate culture and connection.
I believe in the importance of choice and the power of personal decision-making. While we can all share our opinions, I hold firm to the idea that what matters most is making choices that align with our own values and best interests. At the end of the day, it’s all about embracing what truly resonates with you.
I am a first-generation, final-year undergraduate at CU Boulder, majoring in Sociology, Women and Gender Studies, and Ethnic Studies, with a certificate in Latin American Studies. I have family roots in Honduras and am very proud of it. I am passionate about immigration law and advocating for Latinx and women’s rights. I plan to attend law school to advocate for immigrant women.
I recently joined the COLOR team because I want to be part of this amazing organization, working alongside a passionate team to fight for the Latinx community and advocate for abortion rights. I am driven to support Latinx individuals and fight for their right to bodily autonomy, ensuring that they have access to safe, supportive environments and resources.
Daniela (She/Her/Ella) is originally from Puebla, México and moved to Colorado in 2023. She has a degree in Physical Therapy and a special passion for the intimate health and well-being of women. In Mexico, she took several certifications for pelvic floor rehabilitation and worked in an intimate health clinic. In Colorado, Daniela works as a community birth and abortion doula and loves to advocate for spaces for people to feel safe and understood in all stages and circumstances of life. Daniela is excited to continue this advocacy in her new role with COLOR!
Growing up in Mexico’s patriarchal society, Daniela was conditioned to believe that her body did not belong to her but rather to society and external opinions. Deeply ingrained prejudices, passed down through generations, restricted her sense of freedom in making her own choices, until she was older. As an adult, she has seen the crucial role information plays in empowerment, making her passionate about advocating for bodily autonomy and equitable access to health. She has a strong desire to change social norms and empower others to do the same. Daniela believes that knowledge equips individuals to understand their worth, defend their choices, and demand their rights!
Outside of her work, Daniela loves adventures, spending time rollerblading and being outside in nature doing fun stuff. She’s very excited to build a new community in Colorado and fight for Reproductive Justice for all!
Yamilet Velazquez Balleza (She/Her/Ella) is currently an Undergrad at the University of Denver studying International Business with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is also the First-Generation Mexican American in her family to attend college and is well on her way to receiving her Bachelors in Spring of 2025. Yamilet was born and raised in beautiful Carbondale, Colorado alongside her parents and little sister.
Yamilet’s passion and drive to advocate for others came from her parents, as they have always been willing to support and advocate for the underrepresented communities. From attending gatherings, to attending workshops, and even volunteering at events, being able to support and give back to the community is always a priority.
Aside from being a full-time college student she is also CO-chair of Cultural Awareness and CO-Chair of community service within her sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority. In addition, she is also a peer-mentor for 1GENU at the University of Denver supporting First Generation students through the college journey.
If she’s not in the classroom, with her sorority or busy being an academic weapon she is at home watching movies & shows with her partner and dog. Yamilet loves exploring new places, taking pictures, going to the gym, and loves romanticizing every moment of her life.
“I am beyond excited to start working alongside COLOR, as I feel there is no better way to make a change, then to be a part of the change and be proud of it!”
Andrea Arreola-Soria (She/Her/Ella) is a proud Mexican-American and a first-generation daughter of immigrants. She recently made the journey back to the US from México to pursue her passion for science. She is a dedicated student working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Andrea’s journey into advocacy and empowerment began when she joined the LIPS (Latinas Increasing Political Strength) program. This transformative experience left a profound impact on her life. Through LIPS, she discovered the world of Reproductive Justice, which ignited a fire within her to create positive change in her community and beyond. This program introduced her to intersectional feminism, effective communication, and the art of public speaking. It equipped her with the knowledge and skills to address the issues that affect the Latine community, many of which she had little prior knowledge of. Andrea’s involvement in LIPS fueled her passion for activism. It significantly improved her academic performance, particularly in communication and public speaking. Andrea enjoys listening to music, traveling, spending time with loved ones, including her dog Bobby Soufflé, and researching with her professors to contribute to scientific advancements.
Erika (she/her/ella) is currently a junior pursuing her BA at the University of Denver, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Socio-Legal studies. She is a first-generation college student, during her time at DU, she has focused her studies on Latinx and gender studies and aspires to actively work to uplift and empower the Latinx community through policy and judicial advocacy. This academic year, she is a Peer Mentor for a first-generation program and will be the Director of Marketing for DU’s Feminist Student Alliance. Erika is a proud Salvadoran American who was raised in Aurora, growing up she was immersed in the Latinx culture within her household and socially. At an early age, Erika witnessed hardships many in her community, like her parents, faced for being immigrants in the U.S., thus inspiring her path to work on advocacy. Her goal as the Policy Fellow is to bring awareness to our community on political issues and encourage the Latinx community to place accountability towards our legislatures. Aside from her love for attaining knowledge, she is family-oriented and enjoys spending time with her parents and siblings. Erika enjoys reading books, her all-time favorite books are The Hunger Games series and The Outsiders.
Amy Cerna Sanchez is a first-generation Mexican American student who comes from a large family of seven. She is a very involved person on both the school front and in her personal life. She was involved in over five clubs and worked at Children’s Hospital on the Youth Action Board during her high school years. It is here that her passion for social justice bloomed.
Amy is currently studying at the University of Denver, where she is a double major in psychology and business with a focus in marketing, along with a minor in leadership. She sits on the executive board for Colorado Women’s College and Association of Latino Professionals for America. She is also a Greenhouse Scholar, where she is actively involved in recruiting new scholars and community projects. Her goal is to open her own mental health clinic that aims to provide accessible resources to communities of color.
During her free time, Amy will be playing or coaching soccer. She loves spending time with both her blood and chosen families, which continues to motivate her to make the world a safer place for future generations.
Aurea Bolaños Perea is a Tijuana-native from San Diego, CA. She earned her Master’s in Political Science with an emphasis on legislative behavior and Latinas in politics from CSU Chico in 2019. Aurea’s involvement in political movements and political consulting began during her time in UC Merced as a Campus Organizing Director where she was in charge of implementing and strategizing the response student activists would take throughout the UC system. From then on, she has trained community members, non-profit organizers, elected leaders, and soon-to-be-elected leaders throughout the state of California and the nation about political organizing, political strategy, effective communication skills, and more.
As someone who cares about the political empowerment of every woman, Aurea believes that all of our hermanas deserve to be involved in every sphere of government which is why she seeks opportunities where Latinas are the driving force in enacting policy change.