Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Denver City Council honors founders of Hispanic Contractors of Colorado
Summary
Denver City Council adopted a proclamation recognizing the founders of the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado and heard remarks from founders and council members about the organization’s role helping Latino contractors access contracts and training.
Denver City Council on Monday adopted a proclamation honoring the founders of the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado (HCC) and heard founders and council members describe the organization’s origins and continuing role in advancing Hispanic-owned construction businesses.
The proclamation recognizes HCC’s founding in 1988–89 and its work to provide contracting access, technical assistance and leadership development for Hispanic contractors. Councilmember Amanda Alvidrez sponsored the measure; the council voted 12-0 to adopt it.
Councilmember Alvidrez said the group provided critical support for her family’s business and helped Latino contractors navigate public contracting. “When we started my family business in ’97 … we had a support system in place,” Alvidrez said. “It is a huge honor for me to acknowledge that work that allows us to be where we are today.”
Founders and long-time members who accepted the proclamation described starting HCC after attending meetings of minority contractor groups and deciding to form an organization focused on Hispanic-owned firms. Phil Covarrubias recounted early fundraising and outreach efforts, saying larger contractors donated startup funds that allowed the group to hire an executive director. “We had a great time out there,” Covarrubias said, describing golf tournaments and community events used to raise money and build ties with general contractors.
E.T. Lafore, who also spoke, said the founders wanted to meet general contractors and demonstrate they could do work reliably and affordably. “We wanted to meet general contractors to get to know us better and see what we could do,” Lafore said.
Councilmember Kendra Gilmore and others noted the role HCC has played in workforce development and targeted-hire connections between construction projects and training programs. Gilmore highlighted partnerships such as construction training pathways that can lead laborers into community college programs and higher-skilled trades.
The proclamation lists the founders and asks the city clerk to affix the municipal seal and transmit copies to the organization’s founders and family members. Several founders took brief remarks during the five-minute acceptance period after the council vote.
The council took no policy action beyond adopting the proclamation; the item was a ceremonial recognition and no budget or ordinance changes were proposed.
Provenance: The council read and adopted the proclamation during the afternoon session, and founders spoke during the five-minute acceptance period that followed the council vote.
