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Xavier Becerra visits Denver neighborhoods dealing with pollution

By Tom Hellauer August 8, 2024 | updated 12 months ago

PHOTOS: Latino Policy Summit at MSU encourages next generation of Latino leaders

Xavier Becerra, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, visited Denver Thursday to speak about increasing the federal government’s involvement with, and responsiveness to, minority communities at a panel discussion at Metropolitan State University. Accompanied by local leaders, he also looked at several low-income neighborhoods dealing with air quality issues and other public health risks. 

Becerra discussed the difficulties of earning trust among immigrant communities as a federal office, bridging the racial COVID-19 vaccination gap and more, with moderator Cristal Torres DeHerrera in front of around 100 gathered at the second annual Latino Policy Summit in MSU’s Tivoli Turnhalle.

Becerra, who has visited Denver in the past to discuss reproductive health, coronavirus reponse and more, is weighing a potential gubernatorial bid in California to replace current Gov. Gavin Newson in 2026, Politico reported in April. 

Xavier Becerra, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services,

Xavier Becerra, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, gives a keynote address at the 2024 Latino Policy Summit held at Metropolitan State University's Tivoli Turnhalle in Denver on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.

Tom Hellauer/Denver Gazette

Xavier Becerra, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services,

Xavier Becerra, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, gives a keynote address at the 2024 Latino Policy Summit held at Metropolitan State University’s Tivoli Turnhalle in Denver on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.






In attendance were former Denver mayor and President Bill Clinton administration alum Federico Peña, Colorado Rep. Tim Hernández, as well as other local leaders. 

The conference is “a source for authentic conversation to determine opportunities for collaboration within the Latino community,” attendee Briana Gonzales, an outreach consultant, said. 

Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy & Research Organization hosted the summit. For the organization’s founder Mike Cortes the summit’s efforts have clear goals in mind.

“It’s all about encouraging Latinos in Colorado to become more engaged civically, contributing to their communities… By doing that, we will increase our influence and get better policy and industry decisions for Latinos,” Cortes said. 

Latinos make up 22% of Colorado citizens and the Centennial State has had a historically diverse state legislature — likely due in part due to its flourishing Latino political community, leaders noted Thursday. 

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