By: Joseph Rios
From the Publisher: In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, La Voz will highlight organizations or individuals that have been instrumental in improving the state of Colorado. For the next five weeks, Citywide Banks, a Division of HTLF Bank, is the sponsor of the 5-week series.
HISPANIC HERITAGE SERIES – PART II
Donald Mares has worn many hats throughout his career in the Denver metro area and is known for his work as a community leader.
His impressive resume includes an induction into the Denver Public Library Commission’s César Chávez Leadership Hall of Fame, the Mental Health Corporation of Denver Outstanding Political Figure Award, Labor’s Community Service Award, the Junior League Legislative Champion for Children Award and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Government Advocate of the Year Award in 2000.
Recently, Mares led Denver Human Services as its executive director for nearly seven years — a position he took after serving as the deputy mayor of the City and County of Denver in 2016 and 2020. He also worked as the head of the city’s Office of Behavioral Health Strategies in 2015 after being appointed to the position by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.
But toward the end of December 2021, Mares began a new role as interim president and chief executive officer of the Colorado Trust — a foundation that works to create fair and equal opportunities for Coloradans to lead healthy lives. That position became permanent toward the end of August when the Colorado Trust Board of Trustees elected to appoint Mares to a full-time role.
“After serving on (the Colorado Trust Board of Trustees) for nine years, it felt like an amazing opportunity to kind of help move the organization forward in an exciting way. It was a great chance to have my service to the organization blossom,” said Mares. “I really am committed to making sure that we are continuing to listen to community in Colorado. That’s been a hallmark of our work for the last 10 years or so. And I think we have to continue to engage community cor- rectly. I am excited how we might be able to support important efforts in health equity across the state.”
Mares is from Denver and graduated from Regis High School. He then went on to receive his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1988, he was elected as a state representative, and a state senator in 1991. He also worked as Denver’s auditor from 1995 to 2003.
During his time with Denver Human Services, which provides support to one in three Denver residents to help them build and maintain overall well-being, Mares guided the organization to focus on supporting a healthy and connected community. Under Mares leadership, Denver Human Services delivered essential services, and partnered to build a network of opportunity that identifies root causes and responds to the needs of the whole person and family.
“When you’re addressing health equity, you are trying to ensure you are moving upstream, that you’re addressing some of the causes of why people are not healthy. It’s really impactful work if you can make that happen,” said Mares.
Other ventures throughout Mares’ career included time as president and chief executive officer of Mental Health Colorado and a stint in Gov. Bill Ritter Jr.’s cabinet as the executive direc- tor of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
Today, Mares is married to his wife Ruth Mares and has three children. His leadership, impact on the community and successful career are reasons why La Voz is honoring Mares during its Hispanic Heritage Series.
“With Don’s demonstrated ability to lead change, his deep commitment to the health and well-being of the people of Colorado, and his experience bringing diverse commu- nities together in support of the common good, my board colleagues and I are confident that he is the right person to lead The Colorado Trust at this pivotal moment,” said Louise Westfall, chair of the board of trustees, in a release.
