Denys Castillo  

CHCI Public Policy Fellow

Presented by PepsiCo Foundation

Hometown: Aurora, Colorado 

School: University of Northern Colorado 

Degree: B.A. in Criminal Justice & B.A. in Mexican American Studies 

Placement: Office of Rep. Gabe Vasquez  

Denys Castillo (she/her) is a proud first-generation Mexican American from Aurora, Colorado, raised by immigrant parents from Zacatecas, Mexico. She was profoundly shaped by the principles of hard work, resilience, and compassion that her family exemplified. As the eldest daughter, she often found herself navigating unfamiliar systems for her family–experiences that taught her responsibility and the importance of using her voice in service of others. These early challenges instilled in her a heartfelt commitment to justice rooted in lived experiences. Denys identifies as a Latina, first-generation college graduate from a low-income background – identities that have shaped both her values and her long-term aspirations. Her personal experiences inspired her to pursue a university education not only as a means of personal advancement, but also to create opportunities and generational change for her family and community. She aims to address systemic inequities by uplifting marginalized communities in education, housing, and immigration. 

Denys graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A. in Criminal Justice/Criminology and a B.A. in Mexican American Studies, with a concentration in Social Justice and Public Policy. Throughout her college journey, she remained actively involved in programs such as TRIO, the Reisher Scholars Program, and the César Chávez Cultural Center. At the Chávez Center, she served as the Events and Programming Coordinator, where she helped plan Festival del Barrio during Undocumented Voices Month. This event collaboratively served both the campus and community, connecting attendees to small businesses, resources, and cultural programming. Denys also successfully secured university funding for the event for two consecutive years. Beyond campus, her work in housing, immigration clinics, and food insecurity through volunteer work –along with a legislative fellowship and leadership development programs –has fueled her passion for advocacy and systemic reform. 

As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Denys hopes to deepen her understanding of how policy is shaped and implemented at the congressional level, especially in areas impacting marginalized communities. Her lived experiences and commitment to equity drive her passion for public policy. She aims to strengthen her skills in policy research, legislative writing, and coalition building to become a more well-versed advocate. Denys aspires to pursue a legal career rooted in public service and believes that policy experience on Capitol Hill will equip her to drive systemic change through both legal and legislative avenues.