Gabriel Cervantes for Colorado
Why I’m Running
As a kid, I didn’t see my dad around a lot. He worked 60-70 hours a week, and the only time I saw him was when I woke up early enough to see him leave for work, or when I stayed up late enough to see him come home. One day, he woke me up to get me ready for school. He had my clothes laid out on my dresser, and when my brother and I went into the living room, we could smell cinnamon toast. We never had breakfast before school. I noticed that I saw my dad a lot more after that day, and how much less I saw my siblings. I was 8 years old and didn’t understand that we had entered the Great Recession. I saw my family sacrifice their college dreams and life ambitions, all so we could work together to keep a roof over our heads. My experience shaped my beliefs and values. It instilled in me a deep understanding of resilience, community, and what combined effort can achieve.
When I look at what’s going on in the world today, I notice the sacrifices that working people have to make to stay ahead. That’s why we deserve leadership that is truly in touch with our community. We need someone who will fight for our interests, not the interests of corporations and big businesses. What I learned growing up here is that our community is strong, resilient, and most of all, caring. We need someone who shares those values representing us, because I’ve seen what our community is capable of when we come together, I've lived it.
Rooted in Community
I’m the son of a cabinet maker and the youngest of six children. I know what it means to do hard work, and I’ve always shown up for my community. In 2024, my brother and I founded the Six Siblings Foundation, an educational empowerment non-profit that aims to serve underrepresented students in South Thornton.
Additionally, I sit on the board of Colorado Young Democrats as the Vice Chair of Community Engagement. This has provided me with opportunities to work with numerous Latino and Indigenous rights organizations in the larger Thornton and Adams County area.
I’ve also worked to put on numerous community events. Community events create space for diverse voices, traditions, and groups to be seen and celebrated. I am proud of the Dia de la Muertos event that I helped put on in 2024. It brought the community together and allowed us to connect with our neighbors in a new way.
Throughout all of these experiences, I learned that there is immense power in people. When we work together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.
From a young age, I recognized the lack of representation of people from my community—whether in accelerated academic programs, leadership roles, or decision-making spaces. This realization fueled my commitment to ensure that every individual, regardless of background, has access to the opportunities they deserve.
A Journey We've All Traveled
I'm grateful for everything my family has provided and sacrificed for me, but nothing about my path has been easy. During my first year of college, a financial advisor told me that if I wanted a degree, I’d have to pay for it myself. So I did. I financed my education over 7 years, all while managing a Jimmy John’s location. I know what it’s like to clock out of a late shift and still have assignments to turn in. I know what it's like to enter, survive, and thrive, in unfamiliar spaces without a safety net.
I have and continue to fight for stability in a system that makes it increasingly difficult for working-class people to get ahead. Even though I had the privilege of becoming one of only a few Gen Z homeowners, I had to do it with three other people just to make it possible, all while being a service worker, proving that no job is too small, and no role is insignificant.
These experiences shaped my perspective on leadership and policy. I understand the struggles of the working class because I am the working class. I know what it’s like to work twice as hard for half the reward, and to wonder where that extra $100 for groceries went. That’s why I’m committed to building a future where no one has to make sacrifices like my family had to.
Our Stone on the Mountain
Born, raised, living, and working in Thornton, my wife, Raquel and I are raising our adopted puppy together. Just like every other young family in Thornton, we have hope for the future. Before graduating from the Leeds School of Business with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, I co-founded the Six-Siblings Foundation with my older brother. I have sat on multiple boards and committees within the City of Thornton, and fight tirelessly for working class and marginalized peoples.
This campaign isn’t just about me—it’s about us, because everything we do is, has been, and will always be for the people. Always.
