Watch the Awards ceremony video here, produced by El Semanario.
The Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy & Research Organization (CLLARO) hosted their annual Bernie Valdez Awards Luncheon at
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance on September 15 honoring community members with prestigious awards for their efforts in serving the community. The event celebrated 31 years honoring the late Bernie Valdez and presented awards during a luncheon at the 31st Annual BVA awards were presented to Jesse K. Ogas who received the 2026 Polly Baca Social Justice Award; AJ Vasquez was presented with the Sheldon and Jan Steinhauser Community Service Award; Dr. Landon Mascareñaz received the Roger Cisneros Public Policy Award; Marcia Romero received the CLLARO Alianza Award; and Elizabet García Hernández received the Distinguished Capitol Fellow Award.
Watch the Awards ceremony video here, produced by El Semanario.
CLLARO was founded in 1964 as LARASA – the Latin American Research and Service Agency. Although Latinos have been in Colorado a long time and some families can trace their roots here to the 1600s, when the organization was founded in Denver in 1964, there was widespread discrimination. The city’s neighborhoods, labor market, churches and public schools were more strictly segregated than they are today. LARASA was founded to help Latinos gain access to quality education, job development and training opportunities, health services, meaningful work, and, ultimately, to lead successful lives.
An organizational milestone happened on March 13, 1964, when Lena Archuleta, Charles Tafoya and Bernie Valdez joined the President and Executive Director of the United Fund (now Mile High United Way) to sign the first agreement in the nation between a United Fund and a Latino 501(c)(3) organization: the Latin American Research and Service Agency (LARASA).
In 2007, LARASA changed its name and became the Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy, & Research Organization (CLLARO).
Today, although Latinos are more than 25% of the population of Colorado, too many are experiencing continuing disparities and discrimination. Political and economic costs to Latino health, education, civic engagement, career opportunities, housing, disabilities, income security in old age, and dignity remain unacceptably high. Working to address these challenges, CLLARO helps Latinos empower themselves through leadership development, advocacy and research. CLLARO’s vision for the future is a State of Colorado where Latinos can thrive and reach their fullest potential.
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