Our Founding Executive Director, Lizeth Chacon after 12 years of being with us is transitioning out of her role with CPA. See the transition announcement here. We are looking for our new Executive Director to join us and lead us into the next chapter of our work – you can find the position posting here.
Crystal Murillo, DeputyDirector
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
crystal@coloradopeoplesaction.org
Crystal Murillo, is from Aurora, Colorado where she and her brother were raised by a single mother and Mexican immigrant who did everything possible to provide a safe and stable life for her two kids. Crystal was the first in her family to graduate from high school and in 2015 she was the first to graduate college earning a Bachelors in International Business from the University of Denver.
Due to her own experiences and that of her family, Crystal has been working to ensure that the economy and our government works for all of us. She has been volunteering and organizing in Aurora since 2015. In 2016 Crystal decided she wanted to do more and made the bold decision to run for office. In 2017 with the help of Colorado People’s Action she made history by becoming the youngest and first Latina city council member for the City of Aurora. She currently serves as a board member of the State Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council and is an alumna of Emerge Colorado and the Latino Leadership Institute.
Crystal has continued her journey for a better Aurora and Colorado for all through her role as a city council member and as a member of our organization. And she is looking forward to continuing that work in the inaugural role as the Deputy Director of Colorado People’s Alliance.
Hobbies: “I love going on adventures with my two dogs – Iggy and Mila – and when we are not binge watching a good TV show you will find us hiking or at a lake kayaking. I also enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures and have recently found a love of exploring more of the wonderful local places in Colorado.”
Jaquikeyah Fields, Communications Director
Pronouns: She, Her, Hers
Jaquikeyah@coloradopeoplesaction.org
Jaquikeyah Luvly Fields was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. At a very young age she began organizing and participated in many protest. Issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline and police brutality catalyzed her will to become an activist at the age of 14. Since then, she interned and volunteered as a youth activist in the Northside community encouraging DPS schools to understand students of color outside the stereotypical lense. She later graduated in 2017 from Denver North Highschool and became a Viking Alumna.
With the help of many great mentors and educators she then moved to Fort Collins to start her college career as a first generation student. In college she participated in an undergraduate research program that highlighted the impact of Intergenerational trauma of Black women and BIPOC students at CSU. In 2020, she graduated Colorado State University with a Degree in Women and Gender Studies with a minor in Political Science. Jaquikeyah continues to position herself in spaces that allow her reconnect to her ancestors as a political act of resistance; while expanding her feminist praxis through organizing with communities!
Hobbies: “Outside of work I enjoy dancing, painting, singing, watching anime and working as a spiritual healer for BIPOC folks!”
Caleb Pykkonen, Community Organizer
Pronouns: He, Him, His
Caleb@coloradopeoplesaction.org
Caleb Pykkonen was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Boulder, Colorado from the age of 2. Caleb moved to Boston at the age of 18 to attend Tufts University, and lived in Boston until the end of 2018. Upon returning to Colorado Caleb gradually became radicalized by his work in consulting, as well as the political climate created by then-President Donald Trump.
Since then Caleb has worked as an organizer and activist in the Denver Metro area to attempt to address the problems he sees in his community. Caleb has volunteered with the No Eviction Without Representation Denver 2022 ballot measure campaign to attempt to provide free legal counsel for any tenant facing eviction in the city. He has spent time deep canvassing residents of Aurora regarding Economic Justice issues that are most important to them. Caleb has also worked as an labor organizer with a group of ride share employees attempting to form a union in Colorado.
Hobbies: “When not working, I enjoy spending as much time as possible outside. I can be found hiking, road biking, fishing, or skiing, depending on the season. I am also an avid reader and my favorite genre is non-fiction. Finally, I am a life-long Denver Nuggets fan and can’t wait for the team to finally bring the championship trophy to Denver.”