Last year was a year of ups and downs and transformation, as captured in the diverse array of articles that graced the pages of LaVozColorado.
As we look back at this past year, it’s clear that our community is at the heart of every narrative. In 2023, LaVozColorado was a platform for the voices that shape our shared experiences. Our stories were a collection of testaments to the unity and diversity thriving within our readership. From celebrations to human interest stories, each piece reflects not only on the issues of the day but the collective heartbeat of our community.
Take a trip down memory lane and relive the stories that defined the discourse in LaVozColorado in 2023, celebrating the rich tapestry of Latino/Latina voices that contribute to our community. Here is a glimpse into some of the stories LaVozColorado covered in our community section.
Covering Colorado’s rich museums and culture centers
Throughout the year in Denver, Colorado’s museums and culture centers continued to thrive, including at the Denver Art Museum, the Children’s Museum of Denver, and the Mexican Cultural Center.
This year, the Denver Art Museum paid homage to lowrider and skateboard culture in Denver and the American southwest through its “Desert Rider: Dreaming in Motion” exhibition. The exhibition focused on the diverse ways that artists who identify as Indigenous and Latino express identity pride and community by transforming vehicles associated with the American West. The exhibit included large-scale installations, prints, and sculptures from art- ists like Margarita Cabrera, Nanibah Chacon, Liz Cohen, and many others. Colorado artists like Juan Fuentes, Tony Ortega, Daniel Salazar, Carlos Santistevan and Carlos Frésquez are also featured artists.
Meanwhile over the summer, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and several others gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Children’s Museum of Denver. To celebrate the milestone, the museum hosted a 50th birthday bash that included food, open bars, auctions, and dancing. During the 2022 fiscal year, the Children’s Museum of Denver served 36,308 students and teachers.
Also of note this year, was the Mexican Cultural Center appointing Rachel Garcia as its new executive director. The Mexican Cultural Center works in partnership with cultural educational and other entities to promote and maintain Mexican culture throughout Colorado. Garcia graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver and has a Certificate in Executive Leadership with an emphasis on issues and challenges impacting the Latino community and a Certificate in Inclusive Leadership/Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility. She has worked in several other leadership roles in the private sector and in cultural arts organizations.
Latino leaders and business owners continue to thrive
Colorado is blessed to have strong Latino/Latinas in the community who work to make our world a better place.
This year, LaVozColorado highlighted several Latino/ Latina business owners and leaders, including Maribela Avalos who founded the Colorado Athletic Soccer Academy Futbol Club. The nonprofit offers authentic, inclusive, and values-driven athletic experiences for children ages four to 18. Through the organization, Avalos gives area youth a chance to develop their life skills and become compassionate future leaders of our communities.
We also continued to shed light on the Latin American Educational Foundation (LAEF), a nonprofit that provides scholarships and other services to Colorado Hispanics and Latinos. The organization hosted its annual gala this past March and awarded the Sol Trujillo National Lifetime Leadership award to the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado — a philanthropic foundation that works to create culturally responsive strategies to build influence, equity, and opportunity for Colorado Latinos.
LaVozColorado continued to explore Latino/Latina led businesses in 2023, including the Ana Marina Studio. Opened by Ana Marina Sanchez, the store offers earrings, necklaces and other types of jewelry created by Sanchez. In an interview with LaVozColorado, Sanchez said her jewelry is an extension of what she is passionate about, like Mexican design, culture and history. You can learn more about her store at https://anamarinastudio.com/.
Casa Bonita finally reopens
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Lakewood staple Casa Bonita to close for years, but after being bought out by “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the Denver area’s excitement for the restaurant grew.
Casa Bonita finally reopened during the summer, offering a new menu to replace its notorious food. Opened in 1974, Caza Bonita’s interior received an updated coat of paint, a deep cleaning, and new technology, including sound systems that play jungle and animal noises. Mexico City street signs hang above ramp walkways along with art pieces. Other features, like the underground cave, waterfalls, and cave divers, are all still be inside the restaurant.
To learn more about dining at Casa Bonita visit www.CasaBonitaDenver.com.
