Denisse Castañeda 

Congressional Intern, Presented by Walmart 

Hometown: Thornton, Colorado  

School: University of Colorado, Boulder  

Major: Political Science  

Placement: Office of Sen. Michael Bennet  

Denisse Castañeda was born in Denver, Colorado, and raised in both Thornton and Commerce City, alternating between her parents’ homes on a weekly basis. As the oldest of five children in a blended family, Denisse is focused on being a role model and is committed to encouraging her younger siblings to pursue their dreams. She is the first in her family to attend college and is expected to graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science on a pre-law track. Her long-term goal is to become an immigration attorney to assist families in navigating the challenges of the U.S. immigration system.  

On campus, Denisse has actively contributed to initiatives supporting first-generation and Latino students. She has worked with the Partnership Outreach Program to mentor rising high school seniors as they transition to higher education. She also helped charter Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc., a Latina-founded sorority, at CU Boulder, and co-founded the Latine Student Alliance to create a welcoming space for Latino students. Denisse is an alumna of the Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy & Research Organization (CLLARO), where she partnered with Eco-Cycle to advocate and lobby on sustainability issues. Through this experience, she gained hands-on knowledge of the legislative process at the local level.  

Denisse hopes to delve deeper into the legislative processes as a CHCI intern, especially at the federal level. She hopes to establish meaningful connections with policymakers and continue advocating for increased Latino representation in public service and leadership. She is excited to further develop a variety of skills that will set her up for success in the future, while uplifting her community and creating pathways for future generations.