DENVER — ACLU of Colorado is pleased to announce Olivia Mendoza as its new executive director. Mrs. Mendoza holds a deep commitment to the ACLU of Colorado’s mission to protect and advance civil rights and civil liberties for all Coloradans. She brings nearly two decades of experience fighting for civil rights and social justice across the nonprofit and government sectors. Mendoza's strong ties to Colorado have fueled her dedication to advancing legal and policy changes that safeguard our democracy and expand equitable opportunities for everyone in our state, especially marginalized communities.
“I am honored to have been selected by the ACLU of Colorado board of directors to lead this indispensable organization. As an immigrant born in Chihuahua, Mexico, who grew up undocumented in Brighton, Colorado, and who didn’t become an American citizen until I was 21 years-old — I have a unique perspective about the importance of the ACLU’s mission,” said Mrs. Mendoza. “I credit my own lived reality, and personal experience, for my professional success. It has greatly shaped my view of the United States, and more importantly, what it can be, with the dedicated work of organizations like the ACLU of Colorado.”
Mrs. Mendoza will officially assume the position as the ACLU of Colorado’s new executive director on February 9, 2026. She comes to the ACLU of Colorado after serving as the director of litigation and policy at the National Redistricting Foundation (NRF), where she led anti-gerrymandering efforts and defended the voting rights of historically marginalized communities. Prior to her national leadership role, she was the NRF’s Colorado state director, designing and executing statewide advocacy strategies.
“Olivia is an accomplished and recognized leader in Colorado’s public and nonprofit sectors. Beyond her education and experience, the board and I are impressed by her character and profound commitment to the values we treasure at the ACLU. Her unique blend of humility, quiet self-confidence, unwavering dedication to both purpose and people, and her strong emotional intelligence made her the unanimous choice to lead this organization,” said Adam Abdulhafid, ACLU of Colorado board chair. “We look forward to her leadership during this pivotal moment in our nation’s history when the ACLU of Colorado’s mission and work is crucial in protecting Coloradans and their families from the onslaught of attacks on their civil rights.”
In addition to her positions at the NRF, Mrs. Mendoza has held senior and executive positions at the Latino Leadership Institute, the Minority Business Office of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy, and Research Organization (CLLARO), and the Latin American Educational Foundation. She also has considerable experience with nonprofit boards and currently serves on the board of trustees for Metropolitan State University of Denver.
