Snapshot of
Colorado Latinos
Published March 2014
Author: Amanda Gonzalez, Esq.
Research by: Desirae Sarabia, Sofia Solano, and Tracie Trinidad
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
INTRODUCTION
T
his report is intended as a snapshot of the
current state of the Latino community in
Colorado. By providing information about criminal justice, economic
development and housing, education, energy and the environment, health and
human services, immigration, LGBT, media and voting rights, this report aims to
create awareness about the basic realities surrounding the issues that are important
to the Latino community in Colorado. Because much of the data found in this
document is based upon U.S. Census and other federal data, it periodically uses
U.S. government classifications for race and ethnicity. CLLARO uses the term
“Latino” to refer to people with a family heritage from an area where Spanish is
spoken, particularly Latin America. This data is intended to be a baseline snapshot
that can provided a basis for social and political discourse.
As the Latino population in Colorado continues to grow, addressing the challenges
that Latinos face will not only benefit the Latino community, but all Coloradans as
a whole. The Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy and Research Organization
(CLLARO) is Colorado’s premier leadership development, public policy, and
research center dedicated to strengthening Colorado’s Latino community. CLLARO
is committed to the Latino community leading a collaborative effort to move the state
of Colorado toward a future with no disparities in education, health, economic status,
decision-making or leadership in both the public and private sectors.
We strive for the day in which we will not have to advocate for issues as
Latinos, but the reality is that there are measurable disparities among racial and
ethnic classifications. Until we achieve parity among different racial and ethnic
classifications, it is our responsibility to advocate on behalf of our communities.
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
Latinos in the United States
The Latino population of the United States numbered 53 million as of July 1, 2012, making people
of Latino origin 17 percent of the nation’s total population. Today, Latinos are the nation’s largest
ethnic or racial minority. Between July 1, 2011 and July 1, 2012 the population of the United
States grew by 2.3 million people, 1.1 million of which were Latinos. The Latino population in the
United States is expected to continue rapid growth; in fact it is projected to reach 128.8 million
by 2060. As of 2010, only Mexico (112 million) had a larger Hispanic population than the United
States (50.5 million).
Latinos in the United States as of 20111
Family’s National Heritage
Percentage of Latinos in the U.S.
Mexican Background
65
Puerto Rican Background
9.4
Salvadorian Background
3.8
Cuban Background
3.6
Dominican Background
3
Guatemalan Background
2.3
Other Background
12.9
The number of Latino voters is also rapidly increasing. Of the total of Latino children in the United
States, 92.7 percent are U.S citizens which means they will be eligible to vote when they turn 18.
It is estimated that an average of 878,000 Latino citizen children will turn 18 each year between
2014 and 2028.
Latinos in Colorado
In Colorado, the Latino population grew from 735,601 to 1,000,000 between the years 2000
to 2010. Three years later, in 2013, there were an estimated 1,106,357 Latinos in Colorado.
While 21 percent of the total population in Colorado is Latino, Latinos represent an even greater
percentage of the population in younger generations; 35 percent of children in Colorado under
the age of 18 are Latino.
According to the Colorado Civic Engagement Roundtable, there were 602,026 Latinos who were
eligible to vote in Colorado in November 2013. This would mean that Colorado has the ninth
largest Latino eligible voter population nationally. As the most rapidly growing demographic in
the United States, it is critical that Latinos understand the importance of their civic engagement
and education on issues facing their communities.
“Latinos Turning 18.” National Council of La Raza. Available at: http://www.nclr.org/index.php/publications/latinos_turning_18.
Author’s own calculation based on United States Census Bureau. American Fact Finder, Available at: http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/
productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_12_5YR_B05003&prodType=table
Author’s own calculation based on United States Census Bureau. American Fact Finder. Available at: http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/
productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_12_1YR_B01001I&prodType=table
“Latinos in the 2012 Election: Colorado.” Pew Hispanic Center RSS. Available at: http://www.pewhispanic.org/2012/10/01/latinos-in-the-2012-election-colorado.
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
Latinos in Colorado2
Population
Percentage of Latinos
1,088,742
NA
Native Born
798,562
73.3
Foreign Born
271,997
24.9
Not a United States Citizen
217,706
19.9
Total
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Beginning in the early 1970s, the number of incarcerated people in the United States increased at
an exceptional rate. The United States is the world’s leader in incarceration with 2.2 million people
currently in the nation’s prisons or jails which constitutes a 500% increase over the past thirty years.
The rise in the nation’s increased incarcerated population has been accompanied by an increasingly
disparate racial composition when compared to the population growth as a whole. Sadly, the
disproportionality of incarceration rates of African Americans has been well documented for some
time and today those disparities are accompanied by a stark increase in the incarceration rates
of Latinos in the last decade. Similar to the African American community, the incarceration rate of
Latinos is not substantiated by the rate of growth among Latinos as a whole.
Colorado Adult Inmate Population
as of December 31, 2013
Percentage of
Colorado population3 Colorado
population4
Inmate population5
Percentage of inmate
population6
Total Colorado population
5,187,582
100%
20,068
100%
Caucasian
4,376,673
88.1%
9026
47%
Latino
1,088,742
21%
6496
33.6%
African American
218,292
4.3%
3775
20%
Native American
47,949
1.6%
566
3%
Asian American
147,082
3%
205
1%
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Great Recession affected virtually all Americans and Coloradans were no exception, but
Latinos and African-Americans were affected disproportionally, in part because wealth disparities
already existed long before the recession. According to The Pew Research Center’s Social &
Demographic Trends project, between 2005 and 2009, white household median wealth was
already 20 times that of African-Americans and 18 times that of Latinos. By 2011, that gap had
continued to widen.
“Uneven Justice: State Rates of Incarceration.” The Sentencing Project. Available at: http://cdm16064.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p266901coll4/id/3605/
filename/3606.pdf.
Kids Count in Colorado! 2013 Report. Available at: http://www.coloradokids.org/data/kidscount/2013kidscount.html
“ Wealth Gaps Rise to Record Highs Between Whites, Blacks and Hispanics”. The Pew Research Center. Available at:
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/files/2011/07/SDT-Wealth-Report_7-26-11_FINAL.pdf
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
In Colorado as well as nationally, the economy has begun to rebound. According to the Colorado
Fiscal Institute, “in December 2013 Colorado had 29,500 more jobs than it did in December 2007,
the start of the Great Recession, and 43,900 more jobs than [in December 2012].” Unfortunately,
for Latinos in Colorado, it has not been strong enough to see a significant improvement for those
living in poverty. Latinos in Colorado continue to have a median household income that lags
behind the median income for Coloradans as a whole. In 2013 the median household income for
Latinos was $17,542 less than that of Coloradans as a whole.
Income and Poverty Levels
Latino Coloradans
All Coloradans
Difference
Median Household Income7
$39,223
$56,765
$17,542
Percentage of People
Living Under the Poverty Level8
24.80%
13.70%
11.1%
Percentage of Children
Living Under the Poverty Level9
31%
18%
13% Higher
Children in Poverty
Colorado’s Latinos have a long history of being disproportionately affected by poverty and the
Great Recession only exacerbated those disparities. According to the Colorado Children’s
Campaign, research shows that “African-American and Hispanic households were hit harder
by the rising unemployment rates and declining household wealth brought on by the economic
downturn.” In 2011, the poverty rate among Latino children was three-times the poverty rate for
non-Hispanic White children in Colorado. Further, children living in immigrant homes were twice
as likely to live below the poverty line when compared to children who lived in homes headed
by United States-born parents. 10 Encouragingly, the percentage of children living in poverty has
decreased from 34% in 2011 to 31% in 2012.
Colorado Children in Poverty
Percentage
All Children in Colorado
18%
Latino Children
31%
White Children
10%
“ January Jobs Report: Employment picture still mixed for Colorado; More jobs created, but they’re lower-payng ones.” Colorado Fiscal Institute. Available at: http://
www.coloradofiscal.org/january-jobs-report-employment-picture-still-mixed-for-colorado-more-jobs-created-but-theyre-lower-paying-ones/
Id.
10
Id.
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
EDUCATION
For many students, parents and education advocates, 2013 was defined by the struggle to
increase public education funding in Colorado. In May 2013, the Colorado Supreme Court heard
the case of Lobato v. State of Colorado. In a 4-2 ruling the Court found that Colorado’s system for
funding public K-12 education was “thorough and uniform” and that the state was not obligated
to spend more on K-12 education. The decision overturned a Denver district court ruling which
found that Colorado’s system for funding public schools was “irrational, arbitrary and severely
underfunded.”11
In November 2013, education finance advocates attempted to increase education funding by
brining a Amendment 66, a constitutional amendment which would have increased per pupil
funding for public education, to Colorado voters.12 Voters ultimately rejected the tax increase
with 64.9% of voters rejecting the amendment.13 According to Census data released in May 2013
(based on data from FY 2011), Colorado ranks 43rd in per pupil spending, spending $2,704 less
per pupil than the U.S. average of $11,864.
Consistent with other funding gaps in Colorado, students learning English also lacked adequate
funding in 2013. The number of English learner students served by Colorado’s public schools
grew by 2,000 students to a total of 126,750 English learners served by 141 districts during
the 2013-2014 school year.14 According to the Colorado School Finance Project, in 2013-2014,
only “35,695 or 28% of total English learners served by districts receive funding. Districts serve
an additional 91,055 English learners [72% of the students learning English in Colorado public
schools], but receive no funding.”15
Educational Attainment
Colorado’s Latino students continued to trail their peers in proficiency in reading and math as
measured by the Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) testing in 2013. Sixteen
percent of Latino Coloradan third graders are considered “advanced” in Math according to
TCAP results, compared to 31% of all Colorado third graders. 66% of all Colorado third graders
are considered “proficient” in Reading while only 55% of Latino third graders are considered
proficient, a disparity of 11%. According to TCAP results, those disparities do not change
dramatically over the course of a student’s education. 15% percent of Colorado Latino tenth
graders are “proficient” in Math, that’s 13% less than all Colorado tenth graders.16
11
State v. Lobato. Colorado Supreme Court Available at: http://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Court_Probation/Supreme_Court/Opinions/2012/12SA25.pdf
12
Amendment 66. Colorado Secretary of State. Available at: http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2013-2014/22Final.pdf
13
“Voters reject big tax hike, school finance measure Amendment 66” The Denver Post. Nov. 5th 2013. Available at: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_
24462841/voters-reject-big-tax-hike-school-finance-measure
14
“Students Learning English in Colorado.” Colorado School Finance Project. Available at: http://www.cosfp.org/ELPA/2014/ELL%20ELPA%20Trends.pdf
15
Id.
16
CSAP/TCAP State Summary Results. Colorado Department of Education. September 17, 2013. Copyright © 1999-2014 Colorado Department of Education. All rights
reserved. Available at: http://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment/CoAssess-DataAndResults.asp
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
Proficiency10
Latino Coloradans
All Coloradans
Difference
TCAP Grade 3 Math
41% Proficient
16% Advanced
41% Proficient
31% Advanced
0%
-15%
TCAP Grade 3 Reading
55% Proficient
2% Advanced
66% Proficient
7% Advanced
-11%
-5%
TCAP Grade 10 Math
15% Proficient
2% Advanced
28% Proficient
6% Advanced
-13%
-4%
TCAP Grade 10 Reading
50% Proficient
4% Advanced
59% Proficient
10% Advanced
-9%
-6%
Disparities in proficiency, as measured by the TCAP closely mirrored high school graduation
rates. In 2013, Colorado had a total high school graduation rate of 76.9%, up 1.5% percentage
points from the 2011-2012 school year. Latinos had a graduation rate of 65.4%.17
2012-2013 High School Graduation11
Latino Coloradans
All Coloradans
Disparity between Latinos
and other Coloradans
High School Graduation Rate (%)
65.4
76.9
-11.5
High School Graduation Rate
Among Male Students (%)
60.9
73.2
-12.3
High School Graduation Rate
Among Female Students (%)
70.2
80.9
-10.7
Educational Attainment in 201312
Latino Coloradans
All Coloradans
Latino Difference or
Percentage of Total
65.4
76.9
-11.5%
Total Public College Enrollment
Fall 201214
37,297
256,589
14.5%
Total Associate Degrees Awarded
AY 2012-2013
1,273
8,728
14.6%
Total Bachelor Degrees Awarded
AY 2012-201315
2,417
24,766
9.8%
Total Graduate Degrees Awarded
AY 2012-201316
577
9,085
6.4%
High School Graduation Rate (%)
AY 2012-201313
17
Class of 2013 Graduation Data. Copyright 1999-2014 Colorado Department of Education. All rights reserved. Available at: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdereval/
gradcurrent
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
Overall Educational Attainment of Latinos over 25 in Colorado17
Latino Coloradans
Total population of 25 years old
562,518
Less than a high school diploma
33.2%
High school graduation (including equivalency)
28.9%
Some college or associate’s degree
25.6%
Bachelor’s degree
8.3%
Graduate or professional degree
4.1%
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
In late 2013 the Latino political opinion research firm Latino Decisions interviewed 805 Latino
registered voters about their feelings about energy and the environment. The National Resources
Defense Council and Latino Decisions found that, nationally, “Latinos have a very high level
of environmental concern and political support for addressing a wide range of related policy
issues.”18 88% of Latinos surveyed said it was “extremely to very important” for the government
to address air pollution and 75% said it was “extremely to very important” for government to
address climate change and global warming.19 When asked about their motivations for caring
about environmental issues many cited factors such as protecting the planet for the future of their
children and concerns over the health-effects of a worsening environment.20
Issues such as the economy and healthcare were top issues for Latino voters during the previous
election, but 40% of Latinos also rated the environment as one of the most important issues
during the 2012 campaign cycle.21 Latino concern about the environment makes sense given
what we know about the lived realities of Latinos. According to the Hispanic Access Foundation,
Latinos are 165 percent more likely to live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution, unsafe
drinking water and lead and mercury contamination.22
Interest and energy and environmental expertise among Latinos in Colorado seems to be
growing. In November 2013, Boulder and Denver, Colorado were the home to the first annual
Americas Latino Festival. The mission of the festival is to “promote environmental awareness
and create a platform for dialogue and mobilization for a just society to ensure that everyone has
access to a healthy environment.” The well attended event featured more than 60 sessions and
plenaries in two cities over four days.
18
Themes and Findings from the NRDC Survey. Latino Decisions. Available at: http://www.latinodecisions.com/files/8013/9050/4701/NRDC_LD_Survey_Brief.pdf
19
Id.
20
Id.
21
“Latino voters strongly support protecting the environment and politicians should take note” Latino Decisions. Sanchez. Available at: http://www.latinodecisions.com/
blog/2012/12/05/latino-voters-strongly-support-protecting-the-environment-and-politicians-should-take-note/
22
“Envionment” Hispanic Access Foundation. Available at: http://www.hispanicaccess.org/science-environment/
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Access to Health Care
A wide range of risk factors and diseases affect Latinos, and nearly every health disparity that
occurs could be prevented or more successfully managed given timely access to health care. 23
Latinos make up the largest minority group in Colorado and are most at risk of being uninsured.24
26 percent of Colorado’s Latino population is uninsured compared with 13 percent of the nonLatino white population25. In fact, 20 percent of low-income Latino youth have gone a year without
a visiting a health care provider26.
Latinos suffer from a number of poor health outcomes including: higher rates of obesity, chronic
liver disease, as well as higher diabetes mortality than the white population27. Compared to
other ethnic groups, Latinos have the highest health disparities in areas such as: pregnancy
and birth outcomes (e.g., infant mortality, perinatal mortality, low-weight births), children’s health
(e.g., obesity & oral health), youth (e.g., suicide; teen fertility rates; gonorrhea age 10 –17),
adults (e.g., life expectancy at birth; obesity, diabetes mortality, cervical cancer).28 These poor
health outcome highlight a need to access, education and health advocacy.
Health Care and Mixed Immigration Status Families
Accessing healthcare is particularly complicated when members of a family have different
immigration statuses. A “mixed immigration status family” refers to a family with members who
have different legal immigration statuses; for example, some members of the family may be legal
permanent residents, some may be residing in the United States on visas, some may lack a legal
status all together, while some maybe United States citizens. While this term refers to families
with both citizen and non-citizen parents and children, these families may consist of members
with any combination of legal status.29 Each member of a mixed-status family may be eligible
for a different health insurance program, and some members may not be eligible for any public
health insurance program offered by the state or federal government. Just because a family
member, such as undocumented parent, may not be eligible for public health insurance programs,
doesn’t mean that family member can’t assist others in procuring insurance. For example, an
undocumented parent may complete an application for their child.30
For many, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been an important policy change which has enabled
them to access affordable comprehensive care for the first time. Colorado Connect for Health,
the state program that began implementing the affordable care act in October 2013, has signed
up 52,783 Coloradans for private health insurance through the Individual and Small Business
Marketplace during 2013. Unfortunately Colorado Connect for Health does not publish race and
ethnicity data this time.31
23
“Health and Nutrition.” National Council of La Raza. Available at: http://www.nclr.org/index.php/issues_and_programs/health_and_nutrition/
24
“Health Equity and the Affordable Care Act.” The Colorado Trust. Available at: http://www.coloradotrust.org/attachments/0001/9390/2013-HealthEquityBrief_full-report_
lowres.pdf
25
“Colorado’s 10 Winnable Battles.” Colorado Department of Health. Available at: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDPHE-Main/CBON/1251628821910
26
“A Health Care Victory for Hisapnics.” Adelante con la Salude. Available at: http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/PublicHealth/research/centers/lrpc/
2013%20LRPC%20Conference/How%20does%20the%20Affordable%20Care%20Act%20impact%20Latinos.pdf
27
“Health Equity and the Affordable Care Act” The Colorado Trust. Available at: http://www.coloradotrust.org/attachments/0001/9390/2013-HealthEquityBrief_full-report_
lowres.pdf
28
“A Health Care Victory for Hisapnics.” Adelante con la Salude. Available at: http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/PublicHealth/research/centers/lrpc/
2013%20LRPC%20Conference/How%20does%20the%20Affordable%20Care%20Act%20impact%20Latinos.pdf
29
Enroll America. www.getcoveredamerica.org
30
All National Immigration Law Center resources on immigrants and the Affordable Care Act are available from www.nilc.org/ACAfacts.html
31
“2013 Annual Report to the Colorado General Assembly and Governor.” Connect for Health Colorado. Available at: http://connectforhealthco.com/wp-content/
uploads/2013/04/C4HCO_2013AnnualReport.pdf
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
10
Affordable Care Act Key Terms:
Lawfully present
Term used by the ACA to describe eligible immigrants.
Lawful permanent residents
Legal Permanent Residents, or “green card” holders.
Lawfully residing
Children and pregnant women with no five-year waiting period.18
If a family cannot afford to purchase private insurance, they may still qualify for different local
or state programs such as community and migrant health clinics, public hospitals, or specific
such as public health services programs (treatment of communicable diseases like tuberculosis,
HIV, or other STDs; immunizations). These programs provide non-emergency health care and
are available to anyone regardless of their immigration status.32 Anecdotally, first generation
American, mono-lingual Spanish speakers, and mixed immigration status families have reported
confusion and fear around accessing healthcare coverage through Colorado Connect for Health
but without more specific demographic tracking it is difficult to quantify if or how those fears have
translated into lack of healthcare coverage or access.
Human Services —
Latino Families and Child Welfare
In September 2013, the city of Denver hosted the Latino Summit on Child Welfare in Denver.
Although many of the facts and figures presented at the summit were concerning, one of the most
alarming was the data about the overrepresentation of Latino youth in the foster care system.
According to Denver Human Services, “46% are of Hispanic/Latino descent. Of this number
approximately 20% are in foster care, 15% are waiting adoption, and 19.3 % are waiting in foster to
adoptive homes. These statistics are significant in that according to the U.S. 2010 census the Hispanic/
Latino population comprises 32% of the Denver County population. The number of Hispanic/Latino
children in foster care is 1.45 % the rate of occurrence of the Latino population in Denver.”33
The overrepresentation of Latinos in the child welfare system is not, however, unique to Denver.
According to national statistics from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, “although reports of neglect
and abuse are fairly proportionate between Latino and White non-Latino children, substantiated
case are more likely with Latino children.” Additionally, the percentage of Latino children served
by child welfare services who are placed outside of the home has grown substantially over the
last thirty years. In fact, sixty-two percent of Latino children served by child welfare services are
placed in out-of home care, compared to twenty-five percent in 1977.34
In Colorado, there were 10,482 children who were victims of maltreatment during 2012. A child
victim is defined as a child who is the subject of a maltreatment report for which the disposition
is substantiated, indicated or “alternative responsive victim.” The count represents individual
children in the system but does not double count the children if there was more than one report
of maltreatment.35 Though Latinos were 21 percent of the population in Colorado in 2012, Latino
children were 36.7 percent of those who were found to be victims of maltreatment. It’s important
to note that this disparity could reflect an actual disparity in the victimhood of Latino children or it
may be reflective of a disparity in reporting or maltreatment report disposition.
32
Id.
33
Denver Summit a Community Success”. Denver Department of Human Services. Available at: http://denverfostercarenews.com/latino-summit-a-community-success/
#more-1694
34
Fact Sheer: Latino Children in Child Welfare.” Casey Family Programs. Available at: http://www.aecf.org/~/media/Pubs/Topics/Special%20Interest%20Areas/Immigra
nts%20and%20Refugees/FactSheetLatinoChildreninChildWelfare/LatinoChildren.pdf
35
“Child Welfare Outcomes Report Data.” US Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: http://cwoutcomes.acf.hhs.gov/data/tables/mal_racechildvictims
?years[]=2012&viz=table&states[]=6&state=6®ion=
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
11
Colorado Child Welfare Overview (2012)
Child Maltreatment Victims
Foster Care Entry Rate per 1,000
Children in Foster Care on 9/30/12
Children Adopted
10,482
4.1
6,173
901
Maltreatment by Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims (%) in Colorado
(2012)19
Alaska Native/ American Indian
.6
Asian
.7
Black / African American
8.4
Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islander
.4
Latino (of any race)
36.7
White
47.3
Two or More Races
3.4
Missing Data
2.4
HOUSING
In 2013 the Denver Metro Fair Housing Center (DMFHC) conducted a housing discrimination
audit of the rental market in the Denver metro area. 45 years after the adoption of the Fair
Housing Act, the audit found that, “Latinos can expect to encounter discrimination 91 percent of
the time” in their search for rental housing in predominantly White areas. Further, the audit also
found that in 27 percent of cases, White testers were offered specials or discounts that Latinos
testers were not.36
An analysis of impediments to fair housing choices conducted for the city of Colorado Springs in
September 2012 also found disparities across race and ethnicity. The analysis found that although
Colorado Springs is becoming more racially diverse and more racially integrated, “Black and
Hispanic households in Colorado Springs are more likely to live in poverty than White households
and other minority households.” Finally, the analysis found that while the median home sales price
had fallen since peaking in 2007, Latino households could not afford a home selling at the median
sales price of $179,900.37
36
Access Denied: Report on Rental Housing Discrimination in the Denver Metro Area. Denver Metro Fair Housing Center. Available at: https://dmfhc.org/
37
Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing. Colorado Springs, CO. Available at: http://www.springsgov.com/files/AI_FinalReport%5B1%5D.pdf
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
12
Compounding the lack of owner-occupied housing choice for Latinos is the fact that housing
costs are continuing to outpace inflation, making housing less and less affordable. In 2013 the
average rent in Colorado rose by 6.4 percent. According to the Denver Post the “largest increases
were found in Denver County and the Boulder/Broomfield area, where average rents grew by 8.1
percent and 8.6 percent, respectively.”38
The National Low Income Housing Coalition provides annual information on the Fair Market
Rent (FMR) and affordability of rental housing in each state. According to NLIHC, the estimated
average wage for a renter in Colorado is $14.38 per hour. “In order to afford the FMR for a twobedroom apartment at this wage, a renter must work 48 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Or,
working 40 hours per week year-round, a household must include 1.2 workers earning the mean
renter wage in order to make the two-bedroom FMR affordable.”39
IMMIGRATION
In 2013 the United States Senate passed an immigration reform bill, crafted by a bipartisan
group of eight Senators, which provided a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented
aspiring citizens currently living in the Unites States. The Senate Bill, SB744, was the first piece
of legislation introduced since President Regan’s Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Although the hopes for passing comprehensive immigration reform were high in 2013, the bill died
in the House of Representatives shortly after it arrived.
The stagnation of the United States Congress did not, however, deter state government from
passing pro-immigrant legislation in Colorado. In February 2013, the Colorado legislature passed
the Colorado ASSET bill, a bill that allows undocumented students who graduated from Colorado
high schools to attend public colleges and universities at the in-state tuition rate. According to
the Denver Post, “Each year there are approximately 1,500 high school graduates in Colorado
without legal immigration status. And the first year this law takes effect (2013) about 500 of
those will attend college for the first time generating millions in revenue for the state in the years
following.” 40
During the same session, the Colorado Legislator adopted House Bill 1258 which repealed a
2006 law, Senate Bill 90. SB 90, Colorado’s so called “show me your papers” law, had amended
state law to require local government to report people who were suspected to be undocumented
immigrants to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 41 SB 90 had been broadly written
and left police officers to decide who was undocumented and who was not, often resulting in
racial profiling . Additionally, in 2012 the Colorado Fiscal Institute released a study which found
that SB 90 was actually costing the state of Colorado $13 million per year to enforce.42
38
Average monthly rent in the Denver metro area climbed $63 a year. Denver Post. Available at: http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_25106895/average-monthlyrent-denver-metro-area-climbed-63#ixzz2t58HLHn5 39
Out of Reach 2013: Colorado. National Low Income Housing Coalition. Available at: http://nlihc.org/oor/2013/CO
40
“Colorado House Gives Initial Approval to In-state Tuition for Illegal Immigrants.” The Denver Post. March 5, 2013. Available at: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_
22722022/colorado-house-takes-up-state-tuition-illegal-immigrants
41
“Colorado Repeals Its Immigration Law.” Fox News Latino. April 27, 2013. Available at: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2013/04/27/colorado-repeals-itsimmigration-law/
42
“Misplaced Priorities: SB90 & the Cost to Local Communities” Colorado Fiscal Institute Available at: http://coloradoimmigrant.org/downloads/CO%20FISCAL%20INST
ITUTE%20SB%2090%20REPORT%20DECEMBER%202012.pdf
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
13
In a final win for immigrants and their families, in 2013 Colorado became the eighth state in the
union to grant driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. Under the bill, “applicants must
show they live in Colorado, have filed a state income tax return and provide proof of their identity
from their home country.”43
Colorado’s Immigrant Population
Colorado’s immigrant population grew 34 percent (127,000) from 2000 to 2010, making
immigrants about 10 percent of the residents of Colorado. Nationally the immigrant population
grew 28 percent over the same period. These numbers represent both documented and
undocumented immigrants and it is difficult to know exactly what percentage of the immigrant
population in Colorado is undocumented.
Surveys, administrative data and various other sources of information have been analyzed to
provide estimates of this population; however it is difficult to say how accurate those methods
are. Estimates are that 33 percent of Colorado immigrants are undocumented. Undocumented
immigrants and their native-born children (under 18) account for four percent of the state’s overall
population, eleven percent of those in poverty, sixteen percent of the uninsured and seven
percent of the school age population.44
Colorado’s immigrants compared to native-born Coloradans
Immigrants and their nativeborn children under 18
Non-immigrants and
their children under 18
Difference
Percentage living in poverty
24
11
13%
Percentage without health insurance
31
12
19%
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Latinos
In 2010 our partners at One Colorado45 surveyed a total of 4,619 lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) Coloradans. Of those surveyed, 381 (8%) identified as Latino and of the
Latinos 72% were men, 25% were women and 2% were transgender.
The survey found that the statistical mean age at which a Latino comes out to his or her self is 16,
which is three years younger than the mean age for the overall surveyed population. Of all Latinos
in the survey, the majority (58%) was between the ages of 18 and 34. On the issue of self-identity,
the One Colorado survey found: 68% of LGBT Latinos identify as gay; 16% identify as lesbian;
8% identify as bisexual; and 4% identify as queer.
There is currently a lack of good statistical data about members of our community that identify
as LGBTQ. This makes it difficult to fully understand the needs of those in our community that
identify as LGBTQ. To its credit, the Census has begun to track LGBTQ households but they fail
to capture those households by ethnicity. CLLARO will continue to work to ensure that we are a
reliable resource for our LGBTQ friends and community members.
43
“Colorado Approves Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Immigrants.” Thomson Reuters, 06 June 2013. Available at http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/06/us-usaimmigration-colorado-idUSBRE95503A20130606
44
“Immigrants in the United States, 2010: A Profile of America’s Foreign-Born Population.” Center for Immigration Studies. Available at: http://www.cis.org/sites/cis.
org/files/articles/2012/immigrants-in-the-united-states-2012.pdf. For Colorado Specific Data see: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-study-examinescolorados-immigrants-165389056.html
45
Survey of Colorado Latino LGBTQ Voters. One Colorado. Available at: http://www.one-colorado.org/news/did-you-miss-our-lgbt-latinoa-community-meeting-check-outthis-recap-from-la-gente-unida/
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
14
The data on the political realities of Colorado’s LGBT population is more comprehensive.
On May 1, 2013 SB-11, the Colorado Civil Unions Act, which provided thousands of Colorado
couples with critical recognition and legal protections, went into effect. The bill, which was signed
into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper in March, marked a dramatic shift in Colorado where voters
did not have a history of protecting LGBT civil liberties. In 1992 voters had approved a ban on
discrimination protection for LGBT individuals and in 2006 they made same sex marriage illegal
under the state constitution. In February 2011, the Colorado Civil Union Act of 2011 came before
the Colorado legislature. The bill passed out of the state Senate but failed in the house because
of legislative inaction.4647
MEDIA
Latinos continue to be underrepresented on Colorado’s television and airwaves. This is important
because of the effect the media has on public perception of Latinos. In March 2012, Latino
Decisions and the National Hispanic Media Coalition interviewed over 900 non-Latinos to assess
their media habits, program content, and opinions about Latinos and immigrants.48 The study
found that entertainment and news media have, “a strong influence on non-Latino opinions
about immigrants and Latinos.”49 It also found that many non-Latinos do not have a very good
understanding of the Latino community. For example, the study found that the non-Latinos
surveyed highly correlated being Latino with being an undocumented immigrant. According to
Latino Decisions, “On average these non-Hispanic respondents estimated that 35.6% of all
Latinos were “illegal.” Over 17% of respondents believed more than half of all Hispanics are
illegal while another 13.3% estimate exactly half are undocumented. Taken together, over 30%
of respondents believed a majority of Hispanics (50% of greater) were undocumented.”50
Nationally, as well as in Colorado, Latinos continue to be underrepresented as “experts” or
newscasters. As of 2012, of the 23 MSNBC anchors only one was Latino. CNN’s numbers were
similar, though they also had CNN en Español, only two of 22 anchors and hosts were Latino.51
Importantly, the same is not true in social media. Today, Latinos are some of social media’s leaders.
According to Pew Research, Latinos are the most active group on social media networking sites with
80 percent of Latino adults in the United States using social media.52
46
“Colorado Civil Unions Bill Signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper at History Colorado Center.” Denver Post. March 31, 2013. Available at: http://www.denverpost.com/
ci_22841921/colorado-civil-unions-hickenlooper-takes-up-pen-sign
47
“Colorado.” Freedom to Marry. Available at:. http://www.freedomtomarry.org/states/entry/c/colorado
48
“The Impact of Media Stereotypes on Opinions and Attitudes Toward Latinos.” National Hispanic Media Coalition. Available at: http://www.nhmc.org/wp-content/
uploads/2014/01/LD_NHMC_Poll_Results_Sept.2012.pdf
49
Id.
50
Id.
51
“Why don’t we have more Hispanic talking heads?” The Daily Beast. November 11, 2012 Available at: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/10/why-don-t-wehave-more-hispanic-talking-heads.html
52
“72% of Online Adults are on Social Media” Pew Research Center. Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media//Files/Reports/2013/PIP_Social_
networking_sites_update_PDF.pdf
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
15
VOTING RIGHTS
It is often assumed that Latino voters aren’t as influential in mid-term elections as they are in
presidential elections; however, analysis shows that the Latino vote could be a game changer
in key gubernatorial and congressional races across the country in 2014. According to Latino
Decisions, Latino voters could determine the outcome of as many as 33 narrowly contested
House seats, including 14 held by Republicans and 19 held by Democrats.53 The Latino vote will
be pivotal in 2014 Senate races as well, especially in New Mexico and Colorado where the Latino
share of the electorate is large; 14% and 37% respectively.54
In 2012, Latinos voters turned out in record numbers and were key votes in the outcome of the
presidential election, tipping the balance in at least three swing states.55 The attention on Latino
voters did not dissipate post November; Latinos remained at the forefront of many 2013 national
discussions. And yet, the potential of the Latino vote is only beginning to materialize. Despite
record turnout, the actual potential of the Latino vote has not been actualized. Latinos continue
to be underrepresented in the polls and in the ballot box.56
The National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) estimated that in the 2012 national
elections 12.2 million Latinos voted, while 2.5 million registered Latino voters did not. In addition,
estimates show that 8.6 million eligible Latino voters (18 years old or older, and American citizens)
are currently not registered to vote.57 Further, there are almost as many potential Latino voters
(registered but not voting and unregistered) 11.1 million—as there are actual Latino voters
(12.2 million) nationwide.58
The Latino Vote in Colorado
Colorado’s 2013 election was marked by above average turnout rates. According to the Denver
Post, 319,225 more ballots were cast than in 2011, the last election without a presidential,
gubernatorial or congressional race. The increased voter turnout is likely contributed to by a
number of factors.
First, Colorado had increased the number of registered voters by 212,000 since 2011. Second,
in 2013 Colorado legislators passed HB 1303, the Colorado Voter Access and Modernized
Elections Act making mail-balloting the law, rather than just an option59. In the 2012 General
Election, 74 percent chose of Coloradans chose to get a ballot mailed to them. In 2013 that
number grew to 100 percent. Finally, the hot topic issues on the ballot such as secession from
Colorado, statewide school taxes, and legalization of recreational use marijuana also played a
role in voter turnout, driving passionate voters to participate.60
53
“How Latino Voters May Decide Control of the U.S. House of Representatives.” Latino Decisions Available at: http://www.latinodecisions.com/blog/2013/07/09/howlatino-voters-may-decide-control-of-the-u-s-house-of-representatives
54
Id.
55
“A Record Latino Turnout, Solidly Backing Obama.” New York Times. November 8, 2012. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/08/us/politics/with-recordturnout-latinos-solidly-back-obama-and-wield-influence.html?_r=0.
56
“The Untapped Potential of the Latino Electorate.” Latino Decisions. Available at: http://www.latinodecisions.com/blog/2013/01/15/the-untapped-potential-of-the-latinoelectorate/
57
“Early Results Demonstrate Electoral Clout of Latino Voters” NALEO Education Fund. Available at: http://www.naleo.org/latinovote.html
58
“The Untapped Potential Of the Latino Electorate.” Latino Decisions. Available at: http://www.latinodecisions.com/blog/2013/01/15/the-untapped-potential-of-the-latinoelectorate.
59
“Improving Colorado’s Elections.” The Denver Post April 24, 2013. Available at: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_23090653/improving-our-elections
60
“Colorado Turnout Numbers Way up under New Mail-ballot Election Law and Passion-driving Local Issues.” The Denver Post. November 8, 2013. Available at: http://
blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2013/11/08/colorado-turnout-numbers-way-up-under-new-mail-ballot-election-law-and-passion-driving-local-issues/102468/
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
16
Of the registered voters in Colorado 14 percent are Latino. 61 As of 2013 there were over 600,000
eligible Latino voters in Colorado, making Latinos a voting block that it is impossible for politicians
and issue campaigns to ignore.62
CONCLUSION
It is apparent that the Latino community in Colorado faces significant disparities in criminal justice,
economic development and housing, education, energy and the environment, health and human
services, immigration, LGBT, media and voting rights. While this report highlights the work we still
have left to do, we must not get discouraged but instead be energized and inspired to work hard
for polices that will close the gaps, decrease racial and ethnic disparities and help our families,
communities and Colorado as a whole.
2013 was a year of significant policy changes that improved the lives of many Latinos in
Colorado. We need to build on that momentum and continue to work hard for our community.
In future reports, CLLARO will continue include more indicators of Latino progress in Colorado as
well as more in-depth analysis of those indicators, outlines for sound policy proposals based on
the data, and community input. We hope that by compiling data from each of CLLARO’s policy
focus areas, the solutions to our problems will become clearer. We invite you to join us as we
continue our work.
61
“Colorado’s Latino Voters Offer a Glimpse of a Shifting National Landscape.” Fusion. Available at: http://fusion.net/leadership/story/colorados-latino-voters-offerglimpse-shifting-national-landscape-12116
62
“A Portrait of the Latino Vote in Eight “Super Tuesday” States” The Pew Charitable Trusts. Available at: http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=34802
Snapshot of Colorado Latinos
17
Footnotes
1
“Hispanic Americans by the Numbers.” Available at: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/hhmcensus1.html.
2
Author’s own calculation based on United States Census Bureau. American Fact Finder, Available at: http://factfinder2.census.
gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_12_5YR_B05003&prodType=table
3
State and Country Quick Facts. United States Census. Available at: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html
4
Id.
5
Inmate prison population. Colorado Department of Corrections. Available at: http://www.doc.state.co.us/inmate-population-profile
6
Id.
7
US Census Bureau. 2012 American Community Survey. Available at: http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/
productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_12_1YR_S1903&prodType=table
8
U.S. Census Bureau. 2012 American Community Survey. Available at: http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/
productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_12_1YR_S1701&prodType=table
9
Kids Count in Colorado! 2013 Report. Available at: http://www.coloradokids.org/data/kidscount/2013kidscount.html
10
CSAP/TCAP State Summary Results. Colorado Department of Education. September 17, 2013. Copyright © 1999-2014 Colorado
Department of Education. All rights reserved. Available at: http://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment/CoAssess-DataAndResults.asp
11
Id.
12
All numbers based on latest data available. Academic years may vary.
13
Class of 2013 Graduation Data, Feb. 4.2014. Copyright 1999-2014 Colorado Department of Education. All rights reserved.
Available at: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdereval/gradcurrent
14
“Colleges & Universities.” Colorado Dept. of Higher Education. Available at: http://highered.colorado.gov/Data/Colleges/Default.
aspx
15
Id.
16
Id.
17
US Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey. Available at: http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/
productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_12_3YR_S0201&prodType=table
18
“Implementing The ACA for Immigrant Families.” Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. Available at: ccf.georgetown.edu
19
Id.
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