Sheriff, Las Animas County, 2002-present

Former Member, Huerfano-Las Animas County Hazardous Material Response Team

Executive Member, Democaratic Party and Chairman-Elect, 2015

No caucus information on file.

Criminal Justice Instructor, Trinidad State Junior College, present

Former Coal Miner, Allen Mine in Weston, Colorado

Former Police Officer, City of Trinidad

Firefighter, City of Trinidad, 1973

Member, Colorado Crime Prevention Association, present

Member, Colorado Law Enforcement Officer’s Association, present

Member/Chancellor, Knights of Columbus, present

Member, Rocky Mountain Information Network, present

Member, Trinidad Catholic High School Board, present

Member, Trinidad-Las Animas County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, present

Former Chairman, 3rd Judicial Judicial District Committee

Former Member, Las Animas County Adult Services

Former Member, Las Animas County Child Protection Team

Awards:

2012 Hispanic Leader of the year

Father's Name:

Joe

Mother's Name:

Charlotte (Tafoya)

Reason for Seeking Public Office:

One of my hobbies is remodeling houses. A few years ago, I was working on a project in my home when I took a sudden fall from a ladder. I had been removing a window, when it slipped from my grasp, hitting me on my head and knocking me off the ladder. Between the fall and the smack from the window, I was knocked out, and months later, I fell into a coma caused by those injuries. I was in a coma for 38 days, fighting for my life. When I came to over a month later, I realized that I had a second chance at life. A second chance to get things done. And that's how we roll in Southern Colorado. When we get knocked down, we get right back up and we get to work. We fight for what is ours. We stand for our values. We get things done.

Southern Colorado is a lot like my story. Our economy has fallen off the ladder. Too many businesses are closing their doors or struggling to get by at best. Our schools are underfunded. Families are wrestling to make ends meet -- much less save for retirement… and we've been asleep, hoping one day we'll wake up and quit being overlooked by the politicians in Denver.

But life doesn't work that way. We have to stand up for ourselves. We have to draw a line in the sand. If you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to get ahead in life. I want to make sure that here in Southern Colorado we create an economy that works for all hardworking people -- not just the very wealthy or well-connected. I look forward to meeting you, listening about your concerns, and sharing my values and vision for Southern Colorado on the campaign trail.