Her husband passed away without life insurance, and nobody had ever spoken to Aerni about the importance of the subject. At the time, she was working doing retail consulting and real estate when she got a call about a job in the insurance field.
The person calling her was persistent and spoke with her about the insurance industry before she eventually gave it a try.
Photo courtesy: Jessika Aerni
“When I met him, my first thought was why did nobody talk to me about insurance and protecting ourselves,” said Aerni. “I got into the life insurance part of the business, and I did really well there, mostly within my community. But I became interested in owning my business.”
Today, Aerni operates her own State Farm Insurance Agency and offers services in both English and Spanish. She specializes in a variety of services and offerings including financial planning, IRAs, life insurance, car insurance, and much more. Aerni’s favorite part of her job is educating the community about finances, how to supplement retirement, budgeting, and anything with financials.
“I enjoy most of the financial stuff because it’s just not part of our culture… I love the educational part I provide,” she said.
Aerni grew up in Mexico until she was 10 and a half years old and moved to Houston. Her father was the oldest of 18 children and came to the United States for work and to help financially provide for his family. A graduate of Galena Park High School in Houston, Aerni has lived in Colorado for the past 25 years.
Outside of her business, Aerni has served on several boards including Mi Casa Resource Center, a nonprofit focused on advancing the economic prosperity of the Latino community, and Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver. She also serves as a mentor to young women through the Latinas First Foundation, an organization that provides a network and support for Latinas to reach their highest potential.
Reflecting on Hispanic Heritage Month, Aerni said the meaning of it means a little of the same to all of us, but a little different to others as well.
“It’s something for me that gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling and a proud feeling to know that even Hispanics who are third or fourth generation, who may not speak Spanish or many not have experienced what I have coming from Mexico, are proud (of who they are). It’s a time to help others and to put the light on people that are the leaders in our community and that are leading by example by serving others.”
You can reach Jessika Aerni’s insurance agency by calling 303-377-5433.
“Yesterday, it was really the tale of two halves. Collectively, we did a lot of things well in the first half. We didn’t score like we had hoped, then the second half comes out, we struggle offensively, defensively we give up the big run, and all of a sudden, we’re in one of these close games. Putting four quarters together is obviously one of the things I made a note of this morning,” said Coach Sean Payton about the Bronco’s loss on Sunday in Denver.
The Broncos hosted the Jets on Sunday, which brought back Denver’s ex head coach Nathanial Hackett who serves the role of New York’s offensive coordinator. Coach Sean Payton had some choice words in an interview about Hackett’s short time as Denver’s head coach calling it the worst coaching job in NFL history and the Jets injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers defended his coach and friend.
Going into Sunday’s game it was apparent that Hackett and the Jets took Coach Payton’s words personal because after a an ineffective first half of football, the Jets came out in the second half and out scored the Broncos 23 – 8, beating the Broncos 31 – 21.
The Broncos are on the road this weekend in Kansas City to face the defending NFL Champs and the division-leading Chiefs who have only lost one game, their home opener to the Detroit Lions. The Chiefs beat the Vikings on Sunday.
In other sports the kick off the preseason this week in Phoenix before heading to Chicago to face the Bulls on Thursday. The Nuggets will kick off the regular season at home against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, October 24 at 5:30 p.m.
The Colorado Avalanche will kick off their regular season this week against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center in Dallas before heading to San Jose on Saturday to face the Sharks. The Avs have the second best odds to bring home the cup with the Hurricanes listed as cup favorites according to Caesars Sportsbook.
The Avs are still without team captain Gabriel Landeskog who is recovering from his third knee surgery in 15 months. Landeskog missed the entire season last year but the team is hopeful for his return sometime right before the start of the 2024 playoffs.
On Tuesday the Avs acquired Carolina Hurricanes defenseman, Caleb Jones and claimed Arizona Coyotes goaltender Ivan Prosvetov off of waivers. Prosvetov has played 13 NHL games over the last few seasons since his debut in 2020.
The CU Buffs avoided a loss to the Arizona State Sun Devils over the weekend after the Sun Devils led CU 17 – 14 heading into the fourth quarter. The Sanders led Buffs were able to put 13 on the board in the fourth to avoid their third loss of the season. The Buffs are at home this Friday to host the Stanford Cardinals. Stanford is coming off a 42-6 loss to the Oregon Ducks over the weekend.
Writer Emma Lazurus’ words at the base of the Statue of Liberty, for a long time, were meaningful and emblematic of a nation. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” were the then sentiments of a nation of immigrants. But times change.
An explosion of anti-immigrant Americans now believe they were words for another time. Immigrants, they now believe, especially those crossing our southern border, don’t belong here and need to return to their countries. They blame immigrants for crime, disease, and as ex-president Trump recently said, for ‘poisoning out nation’s blood.’
Photo courtesy: Flora Archuleta Linkedin
But despite the chorus of anti-immigrants, the United States still remains a beacon of hope and sanctuary for a better life. That’s where people like Alamosa’s Flora Archuleta come in.
For more than twenty years, Archuleta has been key in smoothing the path for new arrivals coming to stay in the San Luis Valley or others passing through to other places.
Archuleta is the Executive Director of the San Luis Valley Migrant Resource Center. It’s a place where new arrivals or others who’ve been in the country for years come to when they need help for everything from green card issues to clarifying DACA questions. It’s quick, easy and, perhaps most critical, affordable.
“We do not charge what an attorney might charge,” said Archuleta in a recent phone call. “Some attorneys might charge up to $2,500 (for services). I charge $200. It all depends on the service.”
Some clients come in needing help when dealing with an immediate immigration issue. Others, like a woman Archuleta recently helped, had her purse stolen. It contained her green card, the proof an immigrant is required to have for remaining in the country. A normal fee for replacing a green card would probably have been well beyond the woman’ means.
Other times, people will come to her office because they’ve become victims of domestic violence and need a place to stay, or they’ve become crime victims and are afraid not having the right documents to show immigration officials will result in deportation. Not having the right paperwork can change a life.
Archuleta said that unlike a lot of American cities experiencing a sudden influx of immigrants, Alamosa and the Valley don’t have an immigrant rush. “We don’t have many new arrivals,” she said. “The reason many of them come here is they’re going somewhere else.” They’re also coming to see Archuleta, she said, because “the (Alamosa) ICE office recently closed.” The next closest government office for immigration issues is located in Florence, a three-hour drive from Alamosa.
Archuleta, the Valley’s long-time immigration lifeline, said her office helps “around 2,000” individuals each year. “Some would not be able to survive without us.” In those cases, her office provides food, money for utilities and vouchers for temporary shelter. Utilities can mean the difference between life and death in the Valley where wintertime temperatures can drop to 30 or more degrees below zero.
The immigration advocate said the Valley is also coming up on one of the times each year for immigrants needing a hand. “In December, the holidays, we see a lot more crime victims.”
Because, as Archuleta says, the immigrant population in and around Alamosa is mainly static, she has clients who, when they first met her, now have children coming to the center. They come for everything from applying for college to getting help with school. “We do educational outreach,” said Archuleta. “We also do ESL (English as a Second Language) for adults.” Her office also provides “an after-school tutoring program.”
The people the San Luis Valley Migrant Resource Center helps, said Archuleta, are an essential population in the Valley. Her center not only helps those coming through on their way to other places, but it provides stability for others working in the potato warehouses and other agricultural operations that dot the Valley. “These places would not be able to survive…they rely on them.” Local employers, she said, “know they are dependable and that’s why a lot of them look for them.”
For more information on the San Luis Valley Migrant Resource Center, visit its website at The San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center (slvirc.org) or call 719.587.3225.
David Conde, Senior Consultant for International Programs
Abraham’s children are at it again. The hatred between Palestinian Arabs and Jews caused by the intractable problem of living in the same land has again boiled over to the point that makes the Holy Land a killing zone.
Abraham is the father of three great religions as the Jewish, Arab and Christian traditions identify him as the progenitor of the one-God formula that unified their belief systems. Abraham is also the progenitor of a family descendance that is characterized as a duality embodied in his two sons Ishmael (the ancestor of the Arabs) and Isaac (the ancestor of the Jews).
This duality has behaved very much like the breaking up of humanity’s original “wholeness” into two pieces that stand as the basis for building all civilizations. The paradox that we use to achieve perspective and order comes from that original unity that broke apart and in time became opposites.
The same kind of situation overtook Abraham’s children. In this case however, there is an added ingredient that has been the source of contention throughout the 4,000 years since Abraham made his appearance. Scripture says that Abraham and Sarah his wife were not able to have children and so they chose for Abraham to have a child with Hagar, their Egyptian slave.
Abraham’s child with Hagar was Ishmael. Ishmael was in fact the first son and in line to have for the exclusive rights and privileges to be awarded to the first born. But then, Sarah finally got pregnant and had Isaac, an event that created complications in the household.
The Bible says that God got involved and elected Isaac as the father of his chosen people. As a result, Hagar and their son were banished to the desert and took with them God’s promise that Ishmael would also be the father of a great nation.
That decision however, broke the unity of Abraham’s family into 2 parts and caused estrangement to the point that the 2 cultures cannot see themselves living together in the same space. On top of that, in 1948, World War II allies helped to establish the State of Israel in Palestine as a Jewish homeland.
Over the years, lot of work has been done to bring the two sides together under a variety of formulas designed to bring peace and prosperity to the region. However, establishing order in that troubled area has been an elusive goal as both sides want the same territory for their own.
The attack on Israel by Hamas and others on one of the Jewish holy weekends, repeats the cycle of violence. That has been a reoccurring theme for 75 years. For Israel, going to war appears to be the only option because much consideration has to be given to geography, size of its national territory and the intentions of other potential enemies in the region.
As in the past, the United States is obliged to support the defense of Israel in this critical moment. That should not mean that we look the other way when it comes to the plight of the Palestinian people. But like with Ukraine, maximum effort needs to be made to support the existence of Israel as well as seek to rescue the hostages that appear to include Americans.
It is ironic that the “land of milk and honey” is an unforgiving killing field. One can say that the grievances that created it go a long way back. Abraham’s children are at war again. That is not a solution.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of la Voz bilingüe. Comments and responses may be directed to news@lavozcolorado.com.
On Tuesday, the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) unveiled Unidos, a 30’ x 120’ multicultural mural on the Auraria Campus, located at the intersection of Larimer St. and 11th St. The mural is displayed on the east side of the PE Building along the 5280 Trail, which spans from Colfax to Auraria Parkway and links neighborhoods and connects people by reimagining underutilized streets into the essential Downtown experience, uniting urban life with Colorado’s outdoor culture.
The expansive bicentennial mural, Unidos, created by Mexican artist Spaik, is being installed at the heart of the Auraria Campus and commemorates the 200th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States. The installation also coincides with the 130th year of the establishment of the General Consulate of Mexico in Denver. This project will promote the engagement of Auraria’s student communities, mainly -but not limited to- those who are Mexican or of Mexican origin, into arts and Mexican culture and to experience and reflect their duality and “mestizaje” in its making process. This project serves as an additional reminder of the rich history of the Mexican American families that lived, worked, operated businesses, and worshiped on this land before displacement.
“We are thrilled to unveil this vibrant and beautiful mural on our campus,” said Colleen Walker, Chief Executive Officer of the Auraria Higher Education Center. “It is a testament to our commitment to enhancing the student experience and creating a campus environment that fosters creativity, learning, and inclusivity. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the artist and partners who are bringing this concept to life on the Auraria Campus.”
Photo courtesy: Auraria Higher Education Center
“To bring such an impactful representation of Mexican and Mexican American culture to Auraria Campus is tremendous,” said David Gilberto Olguín, Director of Cultural and Community Engagement of the Auraria Higher Education Center. “The mural is a vibrant and exciting addition to our beautiful campus.”
The mural was a collaborative effort between AHEC and The Consulate General of Mexico. Unidos is included in a series of murals dedicated to the community to reconcile Auraria’s history. The series will continue its partnership with History Colorado’s community driven Displaced Aurarian and Indigenous murals. Source: Aurora Higher Education Center
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced it is awarding a 5-year $4.4 million grant to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment as part of the State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program to improve physical activity and nutrition. The department will use the grant to support key components of the department’s Chronic Disease State Plan, 2022-2030, which aims to decrease the incidence of chronic diseases through enhancements to communities’ physical environments and increasing access to healthy foods, among other initiatives.
“We have made great strides in recent years to improve nutrition and promote healthy habits among Coloradans,” said Joan Brucha, the department’s healthy eating and active living manager. “This funding will ensure we can continue to build on this progress as we work with our partners toward a Colorado in which everyone has the opportunity to live healthy lives.”
Obesity in the United States affects more than 100 million adults (42 percent) and 14 million children (20 percent) and accounts for approximately $173 billion in annual health care costs. Physical activity and healthy eating patterns reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. While Colorado has the third lowest prevalence of adult obesity at 25 percent compared to other states, the department will use the funding to address disparities that exist across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
“CDC is excited to announce this new program funding to 17 states,” said Terry O’Toole, Ph.D., M.Div., program development and evaluation branch chief in CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. “With this funding, states will actively partner with communities to improve physical activity and healthy nutrition options in areas most in need.”
The department will use the money to continue the progress made under a previous State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program grant (2018-2023). That funding resulted in improved nutrition in hospitals, the development of the Healthy Eating and Active Living toolkit for early childhood professionals working to ensure Colorado children develop healthy habits early, and a community-driven needs assessment and report documenting the factors, barriers, and facilitators of success that contribute to breastfeeding outcomes for Black families in Colorado. It also led to multiple rounds of quick-win financing for local community projects (e.g., lane or crosswalk striping, bike parking, street trees, park amenities) to increase safe access to parks, biking, and walking.
The CDC State Physical Activity and Nutrition Program provides funding to address key health disparities in Colorado. It focuses on: increasing access to healthier foods; increasing physical activity by connecting pedestrian, bicycle, or transportation networks to everyday destinations; breastfeeding continuity of care and community support; and integrating nutrition, physical activity, breastfeeding, and Farm to Child programs into statewide early childhood education systems.
“Let’s Talk Guns, Colorado” initiative aims to reduce firearm deaths and injuries by promoting personal responsibility
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention has launched a statewide education and awareness campaign to help reduce gun violence and promote firearm safety across the state.
The new “Let’s Talk Guns, Colorado” campaign is intended to increase awareness and understanding among Coloradans about state and federal laws and existing resources relating to gun violence prevention. Campaign topics include a range of gun safety laws and best practices related to the safe storage of firearms, how to report a lost or stolen firearm, and how to request an extreme risk protection order. The campaign will also include information on how people can access mental health and substance use treatment and support, including suicide prevention services.
“Everyone–whether they own a gun or not–wants to keep their loved ones and communities safe,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment executive director. “This campaign will help people start the conversation on gun safety and understand new resources available to them. I believe it will help reduce gun violence in our state.
Coloradans can expect to see “Let’s Talk Guns, Colorado’’ ads in print publications, while browsing the internet, scrolling through social media, and visiting local markets and convenience stores. Cable and streaming TV ads will debut this month. Additionally, a campaign website offers information on firearm storage options, safe gun ownership checklists, the process for requesting the temporary removal of access to firearms from someone who may pose a significant risk of harming themselves or others, and more.
Campaign ads and materials urge Colorado gun owners, non-gun owners, individuals living in households with firearms, professionals in health care, mental health, education, and law enforcement, as well as the general public to start conversations with their friends, families, and neighbors about firearms. By encouraging constructive discussions, the initiative seeks to bridge divides and promote understanding and shared accountability among all Coloradans.
“The number of firearm injury deaths in Colorado is greater than deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes, opioid overdoses, or colon cancer,” said Jonathan McMillan, direc- tor of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. “By shining a spotlight on responsible gun ownership and encouraging open dialogue, all Coloradans can work together to reverse this trend. Talking more openly about gun safety and mental health issues will help.”
According to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Vital Statistics data, there were 6,380 firearm deaths among Colorado residents between 2016 and 2022. Among those deaths, 72.1 percent were intentional self-harm incidents or suicides, 23.7 percent were assaults or homicides, 2.6 percent were due to legal intervention, 0.9 percent were unintentional, and 0.7 percent were due to an undetermined manner.
For more information about the “Let’s Talk Guns, Colorado” campaign visit www.LetsTalkGunsColorado.com (English) or www.ColoradoHablemosdeArmas.com(En Español). In addition, visit the Office of Gun Violence Prevention web page to learn about the office’s ongoing work to reduce gun violence across Colorado.
Remarks by President Biden on the Terrorist Attacks In Israel: “The people of Israel are under attack, orchestrated by a terrorist organization, Hamas. In this moment of tragedy, I want to say to them and to the world and to terrorists everywhere that the United States stands with Israel. We will not ever fail to have their back. We’ll make sure they have the help their citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves.
Colorado Governor
Colorado Governor Jared Polis released a statement following the deadly attacks on Israel. “I am deeply heartbroken and alarmed by the deadly attack against the Israeli people. I call on Hamas to immediately cease their attack against Israel. I will continue to monitor the crisis and stand in solidarity with Israel.”
Denver Mayor
Mayor Mike Johnston announced the upcoming groundbreaking for a micro-community as part of the House1000 initiative. This development is a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to combat homelessness and improve the lives of those in need within our city. The site, located at 2301 S. Santa Fe Dr., has been carefully chosen to accommodate the specific needs of its future residents. Every site goes through an environmental assessment, as well as assessments for zoning, building, fire safety, public health concerns, and traffic/transportation impacts. “This future micro-community will help get unhoused neighbors off the street and into safe, stable, supportive transitional housing while also helping us close unsafe encampments and keep neighborhoods closed to future camping,” Mayor Johnston said.
Two police officers were arrested in Kenya after they were found trafficking 13 people from Ethiopia using a police vehicle. The officers were intercepted in northwestern Kenya which borders Ethiopia. Police were transporting eight Ethiopians, four Eritreans and a Sudanese national. They were traveling to South Africa.
Niger’s budget plumets
Niger’s government cut its budget by 40 percent because of the impact of sanctions and suspension of aid after the July coup. At least 40 percent of Niger’s budget support this year was expected to come from external partners. The sanctions may worsen Niger’s economic situation while food and commodity prices continue to rise in the country. The July coup ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and resulted in regional and international sanctions.
Asia
More than 1,000 people killed by earthquake in Afghanistan
More than 1,000 people were killed in Afghanistan when an earthquake struck in Herat province. Villages were flattened, and authorities are searching for more than 500 missing people. At least 1,600 others were injured, and hospitals have been struggling to accommodate them. Aid agencies like the Afghan Red Cross Society and Unicef have dispatched help.
Teen held over Bangkok mall shooting
Authorities in Bangkok arrested a 14-year-old boy after two people were killed and five others injured in a shooting. The shooting occurred at the Siam Paragon, a famous shopping center. It is unknown what the suspect’s motives were, but he surrendered to officers and had been using a handgun. Mass shootings in Thailand are rare but gun ownership rates are high for the area.
Europe
Prada to design space suits
Prada, the Italian fashion house, will design space suits for Nasa and its 2025 Moon mission. The company will work to design the suits with private company Axiom Space. The two entities said they would use innovative technologies and design to allow “greater exploration of the lunar surface than ever before.”
France deals with panic over bedbugs
Officials in France are working to contain a panic over bedbugs. There has been a surge in the bedbug population in France and other parts of the world, but officials warned many recent sightings are false. Recently a Paris school became the latest building hit by a reported infestation. Officials are expected to speed up proposals for a national observatory on bedbugs.
Latin America
Colombian army apologizes for killing civilians
The Colombian army apologized for killing thousands of civilians after an inquiry found that 6,402 civilians were murdered by the military between 2002 and 2008. The army passed off the civilians as rebels. Many of the victims were young men from poor neighborhoods and were lured with promises of work before being executed. The apology took place last Tuesday in the capital, Bogotá.
Havana residential building collapses, kills three
Three people were killed at a residential building in Havana, Cuba when the structure collapsed. The area is known for its historic houses but many are dangerously dilapidated. Last month, offi- cials said more than 850,000 homes across the country needed repairs. Cuba blames the economic embargo imposed on the island by the United States for not being able to source building materials to carry out repairs.
North America
Improperly stored bodies discovered at funeral home
At least 115 bodies were found improperly stored at a Colorado funeral home that specializes in “green burials.” The bodies were discovered after reports were made about a foul odor coming from The Return to Nature Funeral Home. The FBI said the owners of the funeral home have been cooperative and it is unclear if a crime has been committed. The funeral home is located in Penrose, Colorado.
Biden approves border wall
U.S. President Joe Biden’s approved an effort to build a section of border wall in southern Texas. The wall will be built in Starr County along its border with Mexico and will be around 20 miles long. Biden had previously promised he would not build another foot of wall if elected. However, last week Biden said he “can’t stop” the construction of the wall because funding for it had already been appropriated. He said he doesn’t believe the wall can stop rising levels of immigration.
Across Denver and Colorado, there is a cohort of viewers who weren’t even born when Channel 7’s Anne Trujillo began her long journey into Denver television history. She began with the station in 1984 and will drop the curtain on an amazing career in just weeks, November 17th. In between, it was more than a simple adventure.
Trujillo, the anchor of the station’s 5, 6 and 10 o’clock newscasts, has been a beacon of light for Denver’s and Colorado’s most impactful news stories over four decades. It is hard to imagine Denver television without her.
Photo courtesy: Anne Trujillo
Still, while her longevity and its accompanying celebrity have made her one of the city’s and region’s most recognizable faces, Trujillo bristles at any adulation thrown her way.
“I think what you see is what you get,” said Trujillo in a recent phone chat. That is not false modesty. Though New Mexican by birth, Coloradan by choice, Trujillo said if she’s stopped in a grocery store or anywhere in Denver, the person you meet is who she is. “I’ve never been ‘showy.”
Trujillo, like so many in her line of work, began her journalism odyssey in ‘Cabbageville,’ a name commonly attached to places and markets known only by people in the business. In her case, ‘Cabbageville’ was Scottsbluff, Nebraska. For reference, Scottsbluff is America’s 2,429th largest city.
Trujillo was a senior at the University of Colorado when she heard about a TV job in the Nebraska town. A friend helped her put an audition tape together and in the mail it went. Within days, she got a callback inviting her to visit. “I drove out with my mom to check it out and he offered me a job on the spot,” she recalled. Not only did she take the $10,000 a year job but dropped out of CU to take it. “I quit school knowing I could go back if I didn’t like it.” Many years later, Trujillo did go back for her degree.
Luckily, despite her rookie mistakes—and there were plenty—she persevered. “I was terrible, and didn’t know what I was doing,” she confessed. To this day, her early TV days draw a smile…and an abundance of thanks to strangers, the audience that welcomed her into their homes. “The people of Scottsbluff were very forgiving and kind.”
In Scottsbluff, despite a few on-air pratfalls, she showed enough talent to get a call from Omaha six months into her Nebraska adventure. KMTV Omaha called offering her the noon anchor position. Her trial by fire, first in Scottsbluff and later Omaha, told her she had what it took to shoot for the stars. In this case, that meant coming home, back to Denver.
After a year in Omaha, she once again found herself looking. At the same time, Denver 7 was also looking. She got the offer. Her first day in September 1984 was memorable in so many ways.
“I was assigned to follow a crew,” that included Harry Smith, now a network correspondent, and a photographer named Mike. (For privacy purposes, his surname will be omitted.) Smith, who began his Denver media career as a KHOW disc jockey, went on to be a correspondent for CBS and later NBC. The photographer? Well, they married and today have two grown children. There’s also a pair of grandchildren. “They call me ‘Lita.’”
Asking Trujillo to name a story or two that stands out over the course of her four decades in Denver is no easy task. Afterall, in those many years, the city has entertained a Pope, hosted the national Democratic Convention, experienced Super Bowls, Stanley Cups and NBA championship and on and on. Governors and mayors have come and gone, and the city and region have grown exponentially. The Denver metro population has doubled over the last forty years to nearly three million. But one memory stands out above all. Trujillo says it “changed my life.”
The 1999 Columbine shooting, the bookmark for American gun tragedies, woke the country up to an era of violence that continues today. The Columbine High School massacre, undertaken by two students, claimed the lives of 13 students and one teacher.
As parents struggled to find a semblance of normalcy in an event that defied the norm, Trujillo said she found a comfort in comforting those Columbine parents who chose to share their loss, their stories with her. “That was a privilege for me,” she said. “Those kinds of situations meant so much to me…it was always an honor.”
While Trujillo has been appreciated by her Denver 7 audience for years, she has also earned affection, appreciation and respect across the landscape of Denver news.
“You realize stations are competing,” said 9News anchor Kim Christiansen. “But I viewed her as a colleague and have enormous respect for her. She has always been gracious, friendly and kind…a great journalist.” Christiansen, also one of Denver’s best-known TV faces, said Trujillo’s legacy has been a long-term benefit to the community. The trust the community has given Trujillo, said her TV counterpart “has been earned.”
Over the years, the landscape in television news has changed. Today, instead of having a bevy of White men in suits and ties covering The White House, Congress, world affairs, informing about institutions that have daily impact on our lives, there are women and people of color filling those roles. Newsrooms are well represented by the mosaic that is our country. But, said Trujillo, that’s only a start.
“I wish I could say that news stations were diverse enough,” she said. While not entirely absent, the places where decisions are made, where new direction is charted, in management, there isn’t nearly enough diversity, Trujillo said. “When you’re making decision that affect the whole community, you can’t leave 30 percent out of the process.”
Looking back, Trujillo said the transformation of delivering news has been meteoric. In Scottsbluff, she did it all—news, weather and sports—by herself or sometimes with a single colleague. That included changing ribbons on newsroom typewriters and the wire machine, a constant clickety-clack machine that kept the newsroom’s rhythm. The the age of computers has relegated it to history.
Trujillo said leaving the newsroom will be both bittersweet and time. The excitement and adrenalin rush of breaking news will be someone else’s. And that’s OK with her. She’s got a whole life to live with her family and especially her two grandchildren, two indispensable parts of life that she could have never imagined when she took exit 22 off Interstate 80 those many years ago.
It’s not the rearview mirror for Trujillo that has her attention. It’s the view out of the windshield and the road ahead.
