Profile

Born and raised in Denver, Arellano spent his summers with his grandmother in Costilla, New Mex., a place he calls peaceful and loves the people there. After high school graduation Arellano held various jobs ranging from bartender, waiter and to FedEx employee. In 2000, he enrolled at Metropolitan State University of Denver and completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology, in two short years. He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder Law School and graduated in 2006. During this time Arellano was employed as a law clerk with the Department of Energy. After graduation, Arellano was hired as an attorney for the department and has been there for the past 11 years. Arellano has two children, Lauren, 22 who will be graduating from MSU next semester, and Adam, age 10. During his free time Arellano spends time with his family and enjoys photography.

About The U.S. Department of Energy

As an attorney with the Department of Energy, Arellano represents the Colorado River Storage Project Management Center in Salt Lake City that markets and delivers the power from Glen Canyon Dam (which impounds Lake Powell). Western Area Power Administration markets and transmits reliable, cost-based hydroelectric power, and related services which sells power from 56 hydropower power plants operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the International Boundary and Water Commission.

High School Experience

“School was difficult for me,” says Arellano. Arellano was a rebellious youth who felt he did not fit. Arellano felt alienated and switched schools between North, Jefferson and Lincoln High. He recalls a teacher (Dianne Tramutola-Lawson) who believed in him. He also attributes his success to his dad, Frank Arellano, who happened to be salutatorian of his graduating class, as the one person who would not give up on him.

Message to Youth

“Follow your own path and don’t worry about finishing things on a schedule. If you experience a setback don’t let it stop you. I enrolled in college 10 years after my high school graduation.”

Last Word

Growing up, I was easily overwhelmed by all of the small details in life. I didn’t think I could accomplish a goal if I didn’t know and understood all of the steps along the way, and that usually stopped me from even starting. It wasn’t until I understood that you don’t have to know the path beforehand-- that you can and will find your way as you go-- that things started falling in place. Don’t stop yourself from doing something great just because you can’t see the finish line. You will get there. And like me, you might even learn that you actually enjoy the journey too.”