Rick Palacio

Rick Palacio (born November 3, 1974) is an American political executive who served as Chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party from 2011 to 2017.

Rick Palacio
Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party
In office
March 5, 2011 – March 11, 2017
Preceded byPat Waak
Succeeded byMorgan Carroll
Personal details
Born (1974-11-03) November 3, 1974
Pueblo, Colorado, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materRegis University

Early life and education

He was born in Pueblo, Colorado. Palacio graduated from Regis University in Denver.

Career

Prior to his service as Chair, Palacio worked in a variety of roles in Colorado and national politics.[1][2] Palacio held multiple roles with then-U.S. Rep. John Salazar, including Legislative Assistant and later Deputy Communications Director.

In 2008, he was hired as Deputy Director of Member Service in the office of the House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.[3] Palacio was one of the primary Congressional staffers responsible for the repeal of Don't ask, don't tell.[4]

Palacio was elected Chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party on March 5, 2011.[5] He is the first Latino in Colorado's history to hold the office of chair of a major political party, and when elected was second in the nation.[6] Palacio served as a Senior Advisor for the John Hickenlooper 2020 presidential campaign.[7]

Palacio is the founder of PSGroup, a political and corporate consulting firm based in Denver, Colorado. In April 2020, Palacio joined Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, a law and lobbying firm, in their State & Local Legislation & Policy Group.[8]

Personal life

He is also openly gay.[9]

Awards and recognition
  • 2008: 5280 Magazine's list of Colorado's Most Influential Latinos[1]
  • 2011: Advocate Magazine's List of 40 Under Forty[9]
  • 2011: Out Front Colorado's "Power" list of most Influential GLBT Coloradans[10]
  • 2011: Southern Colorado Equality Alliance "Pride of Pueblo" award [11]
  • 2015: 40 Under 40: Latinos in American Politics [12]
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References
  1. Martinez, Vanessa (August 2008). "Latinos Rising: A look at Colorado's most politically influential Latinos, including four under 40". 5280. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  2. Malone, Patrick (March 14, 2011). "A defeat launched new Democratic leader". The Pueblo Chieftain. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  3. "Majority Leader Hoyer Announces Key Staff Changes and Additions". The Office of Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer. March 31, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  4. "Woman Wants Back In Army After Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal". 2011-09-20. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  5. Lee, Kurtis (March 6, 2011). "Colorado Dems elect Rick Palacio state party chair". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  6. Catanese, David (March 5, 2011). "Colo. Dems tap Latino chair, Pozen plays hard to get". Politico. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  7. "Organization of Hickenlooper 2020 - Staff, Advisors and Supporters". www.democracyinaction.us. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  8. "Brownstein Adds Rick Palacio – Well-Known Political Consultant – to its Government Relations Team". Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  9. "Forty Under 40: Part Two". Advocate.com. May 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  10. "Power surges through Colorado LGBT community". Out Front Colorado. October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  11. "News and Events". Socoequality.org. 2011-10-21. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  12. Calderon, Josue Lopez (21 September 2015). "40 Under 40: Latinos in American Politics". huffingtonpost.com.
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