Dusti Garrison Gurule

Dusti Gurule has been a cultural leader for reproductive justice, civic engagement, and advocacy for 25 years. Born into a family of activists, she was instilled with the importance of justice, equity, and dignified treatment of everyone. Dusti’s family has been in Colorado at least six generations beginning in the San Luis Valley. She grew up immersed in the Crusade for Justice movement led by her Uncle, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzalez. This movement was a key force in obtaining Chicano rights and helped to shape Dusti’s childhood. Her family values led to a lifetime of activism, justice, and advocacy. 

Ms. Gurule is the President & CEO of the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR) and the COLOR Action Fund, a position she has held since 2017. With a mission to enable Latinx individuals and their families to lead safe, healthy, and self-determined lives, COLOR is Colorado’s leading reproductive justice organization. 

 Dusti served as the founding Executive Director of the Latina Initiative in 2004. This organization is nationally recognized and supports civic engagement, and political leadership amplifying Latina voices across Colorado. 

From 2010 to 2017, Dusti served under President Obama as a Regional Representative for the Secretary of Labor in seven states. She led mobilization and coalition-building efforts, during that time. In 2017, she returned to a social justice advocacy role as the Director of the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive (COLOR) and the COLOR Action Fund. She still serves in that capacity today. 

Ms. Gurule received a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University, and she has been awarded the City of Denver Mayor’s Award for Diversity & Inclusion, Latinas First Foundation Unsung Heroine, Colorado Common Cause Barnes Democracy Award, and the Cesar Chavez Peace & Dignity Award.  

Dusti created a space within sectors that were often male dominated, especially in political and nonprofit spaces. Her resiliency and mission to transform existing systems proved a challenge. But with her background and leadership, she was able to battle long-standing beliefs, and transform the landscape, particularly for women and communities of color. 

Dusti has been recognized for the following efforts in Colorado. 

Policy and regulatory efforts influencing reproductive freedom measures, economic security, and immigrant rights by helping to pass proactive legislation and blocking harmful bills.

Civic engagement focusing on non-partisan efforts to register and educate Latinx voters.

At COLOR, her leadership has focused on a critical period of time regarding gender equity and reproductive rights. For women and girls in Colorado, the work of Ms. Gurule, and other supporting organizations has ensured the protection of abortion access through legislative efforts, especially the passage of the Reproductive Health Equity Act in 2022. 

Ms. Gurules’ ability to overcome challenges and create opportunities influenced her as a leader. She inspired a cultural shift in attitudes shaping the advancement of women in healthcare, government, and advocacy across Colorado.