Marlene De La Rosa
Community Volunteer

Marlene De La Rosa's unwavering dedication to serving her community has been the driving force in her life, bringing her immense joy and fulfillment. Especially, her commitment to bringing equity to the education of Latino students.

Recently retiring after over 30 years of public service with the Department of Justice in the US Immigration Court, Marlene's commitment to service extends far beyond her professional life. She began volunteering as a teenager with the Chicano Education Project and during college championed opening the Hispanic Culture Center on her college campus.  Throughout the years, she has actively contributed to various organizations, including Denver Head Start Policy Council, Mile High Child Care, Circle of Latina Leadership, Hispanic Education Advisory Council, Hispanic Chamber Education Foundation and even created a district wide parent education campaign for DPS.  Additionally, in her spare time she volunteered with the boys basketball program at Denver North High School for 12 years.

Beyond her impressive resume of community involvement, Marlene currently holds significant roles as the co-chair of LatinasGive! giving circle and a founder of LIFT, the Latino men's giving circle. She is also a Mayoral appointee of Denver's Latino Commission and the Denver Parks and Recreation advisory board. She is also serving on the community advisory committee for the Broncos Burnham Yard Project. She assists Denver Cafecito in hosting a cafecito for Latinas every Friday. She also holds the elected seat on the Denver Public Schools Board of Education and holds the position of  secretary.  Additionally, she represents Region 13 on the Colorado Association of School Boards.  Currently, she is working with the Office of Children’s Affairs, and the Mayor’s Office on a pilot program to have student ambassadors on the Mayor’s advisory commissions.

Her passion in life is to serve her community in any way possible and has instilled the same into her children.  This is her proudest achievement, being the loving mother of her twins,  TaShina and LaPhonso, who have followed in her footsteps, sharing the same passion for their community. TaShina serves as the Denver Regional Director for Senator Hickenlooper while LaPhonso dedicates himself as a Denver Firefighter.  Marlene's commitment to serving her community resonates with her children,  and together, they are a shining example of the power of giving back to the community in order to elevate the lives of all those in their community.