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About CO-ALAS

About CO-ALAS

OUR Mission

To support aspiring and current Latino and Latina administrators and educational leaders by promoting best practices, professional learning, communication, and networking to support the growing Latino community.

OUR Vision

To have highly skilled and effective Latino and Latina administrators and educational leaders in P-20 education to ensure the success of all students.

Core Values

Vision, Leadership, Commitment, and Influential.

Cultural Value

Familia. Familia as a value speaks to our commitment to preparing educators to be competitive in seeking leadership positions through quality professional development, mentoring, and networking.  When you become part of COALAS you become part of our family and we are committed to your success as an educational leader

Strategic Priorities

  • Priority 1: COALAS will be a recognized organization statewide.

  • Priority 2: COALAS will achieve financial stability (and accountability).

  • Priority 3: COALAS will increase the percentage of Latinx leaders at the school and district level.

  • Priority 4: COALAS will work to increase Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access across the state advocacy across the state.

OUR Goals

Our Goals

Effectively communicate our vision and mission. 

  • Promote the organization to increase membership.

  • Work cooperatively with educational organizations to advocate for quality and equitable public education.

  • Provide regular updates about key educational issues

  • Increase support from corporate sponsors

Provide Members with opportunities for professional learning by sharing best practices.

  • Create learning opportunities regarding effective school/district administration and leadership.

  • Promote learning opportunities on effective instructional practices.

Develop leadership capacity to increase the number of under-represented educational leaders.

  • Mentoring opportunities for members.

  • Networking opportunities for members.

CO-ALAS Leadership

Executive Board
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President: Dr. Luis Murillo

Assistant Superintendent

Alamosa School District
luis.murillo@co-alas.org

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CO-Chair: Dr. Maria Rodriguez

High School Assistant Principal

Denver Public Schools

maria.rodriguez@co-alas.org

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Secretary: Tracy Gallegos

Learning Innovation Strategist

Mesa County Valley School District 51
tracy.gallegos@co-alas.org

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Board Director: Dr. Edgar M. Torres

High School Principal

Mapleton Public Schools

edgar.torres@co-alas.org

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Executive Director: Don V. Rangel
Colorado Association of Latino/a Administrators and Superintendents
President/CEO DVR Educational Consulting Group Inc.
Superintendent of Schools (Retired)
don.rangel@co-alas.org

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President-Elect: Nathan Cabrera

Director Family and Community Partnerships

Jeffco Public Schools
nate.cabrera@co-alas.org

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CO-Chair: Dr. Michael Claudio

Executive Director of Student Services

Cheyenne Mountain School District 12

michael.claudio@co-alas.org

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Board Director: Dr. Ron Cabrera

Executive Director, 4 Corners Leadership Academy

ron.cabrera@co-alas.org

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Board Director: Tara Pena

Chief of Family and Community Partnerships

Jeffco Public Schools

tara.pena@co-alas.org

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Director of Operations: Dr. Denine Echevarria

Colorado Association of Latino/a Administrators and Superintendents
info@co-alas.org

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Past President: Teresa Barajas

Interim Director Family and Community Partnerships

Jeffco Public Schools

teresa.barajas@co-alas.org

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Treasurer: Carrie Torres-Yantzer

Leadership Development Strategist

Capturing Kids Hearts

carrie.yantzer@co-alas.org

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Board Director: Dr. Janet Estrada

Elementary School Principal

Denver Public Schools

janet.estrada@co-alas.org

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Board Director: Dr. Adella Arredondo

Executive Director, Family and Community Engagement

Denver Public Schools

adella.arredondo@co-alas.org

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Director of Programs: Dr. Diana Roybal

Colorado Association of Latino/a Administrators and Superintendents

Superintendent of Schools (Retired)
diana.roybal@co-alas.org

CO-ALAS Delegates

Delegates

Adams 12 School District

Joseph Chavez

Chris Duran

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Alamosa School District

Esmeralda Martinez

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Boulder Valley School District

Dr. Scarlet Chopin

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Brighton 27J School District

Lucia Gonzales

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Cherry Creek School District

Elina Martinez Medina

Nancy Lopez Williams

Gabriela Zuno

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Denver Public Schools

Pablo Joucovsky

Lacey Nelson
Jessica Garza

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Greeley-Evans School District 6

Anthony Asmus

Valerie Lara-Black

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Harrison School District

Dr. Angela Valdez

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Jefferson County School District

Nathan Cabrera

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Littleton Public Schools
Erica Garcia-Acosta​

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Mesa County Valley School District 51

Regina Quintana

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Northern Colorado Migrant Education Program

Maria Castillo

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Pinnacle Charter School
Dr. Paulina Lerma

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Adams 14 School District

Andrew LaCrue

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Southwestern Colorado Migrant Education Program

Esmeralda Martinez​

​

Thompson School District

Dr. Maria Gabriel

​

Special Representatives

Dr. Doris Candelarie, University of Denver

Dr. Lora De La Cruz, Deputy Superintendent of Boulder Valley School District

Dr. Margarita Tovar, Colorado Department of Education

Jesus Escarcega, CO-ALAS Co-Founder (Retired)

 
 
 
 
By-Laws

CO-ALAS By-Laws

To view the By-Laws of CO-ALAS, Please click the button below.

Sponsors

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CO-ALAS is a professional education association that advocates for the continued development and placement of Latino/Latina administrators who are committed to quality public education for all students.

Contact Us

Connect With Us

CO-ALAS

PO Box 738

Longmont, CO 80502

info@co-alas.org

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© Copyright 2025 CO-ALAS. All Rights Reserved. All information is copyrighted by the Colorado Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents. Terms & Conditions

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