Gladis Ibarra (she/her/hers) immigrated to Colorado from Zacatecas, Mexico, at the age of seven. Like many eldest daughters in immigrant families, her first role was that of an interpreter and translator for both immediate and extended relatives. Growing up undocumented deeply shaped her understanding of the world and sparked a lifelong drive to understand the systems that forced her family to live in constant fear of separation. As a young adult, she found her political home in the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC)—an organization committed to building a world where immigrant families like hers can thrive without fear.
Before stepping into her role as Co-Executive Director, Gladis served CIRC in multiple capacities—including Organizer, Hotline Manager, Campaign Manager, and Deputy Director. In each of these roles, she contributed to major victories: expanding access to driver’s licenses for undocumented Coloradans, defending communities from deportation, and advancing state-funded legal representation for immigrants in removal proceedings. These experiences not only shaped her leadership but also equipped her with the strategic vision and skills necessary to guide the state’s largest immigrant rights organization.
With over seven years of experience, Gladis is now the first immigrant to lead CIRC through a pivotal time, ensuring that Colorado remains a welcoming state for all who dream of calling it home. Under her leadership, the organization champions transformative policies such as Protecting Civil Rights Regardless of Immigration Status, data privacy protections, and access to healthcare. She is also spearheading a statewide campaign to educate every community about their rights, in the language of their heart—particularly in interactions with federal agencies like ICE—while documenting abuses, holding agencies accountable, and expanding deportation defense resources to keep immigrant communities safe and empowered.