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Colorado Law is home to nearly 50 student organizations. These organizations empower law students to increase their knowledge, gain leadership experience, network, and collaborate with the legal community—all while building connections with classmates that will last throughout their careers and beyond.������

As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15-Oct. 15, take a moment to meet the LatinX Law Students Association at Colorado Law.����

This organization is led by President Jennifer Portillo ‘28, Vice President Sophia Boldt ‘28, Treasurer Natalie Darquea ’28, CHBA Representatives Luis Lopez ‘28 and Yatzari Lozano Vazquez ‘28, Social Media Manager Emilia Endara ‘28, Events Coordinator Izzy Goss ‘28, LLM Rep Kurshvin Ragavoodoo (LLM ‘27), and 1L Reps Rafaela Lindnau Noronha ‘29 and Diego Cabrera-Gutierrez ‘29.�� ��

LLSA hosts a variety of events throughout the school year, including Resume Panels with alumni and law school preparation seminars for 1Ls.����

“We always have attorneys come in, which students can talk with afterwards and can connect. We try to bring in attorneys with a lot of different backgrounds, so they have a little bit of exposure to different people,” said Portillo. “Additionally, we really do try to be a liaison between CHBA and the students. CHBA throws a lot of great events that connects students to networking and mentorship opportunities.”��

LLSA provides students with a variety of opportunities to get involved in skill- building and networking at the national level. Portillo emphasized the importance of preparing members to enter the legal field with connections and valuable experience.����

“Just a couple weeks ago, the organization got to send two students out to D.C. for the Hispanic National Bar Association Conference, and that was an incredible networking event,” Portillo said. “It was also just very uplifting to be in a community of other Latine professionals and know that you're not alone.”����

LLSA strives to create opportunities for Colorado Law students to give back to the Latine community of Colorado. LLSA also works to serve the local immigrant community through a variety of initiatives and club-sponsored projects.����

“Recently, students have been able to volunteer with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition to help immigrant families complete family preparedness packets,” said Endara. “We're going to continue to look for similar opportunities for volunteering. It’s a very cool experience to be able to offer our members, to give back to the community, and get involved.”��

According to the , the aim of these preparedness packets is to, “increase one’s sense of security, increase family stability, and promote mental health by assisting individuals and families in organizing their personal information in the event the family faces immigration enforcement.”�� ��

Portillo emphasized the importance of giving back, and how LLSA serves as a platform for involved students to help the local �Ǹ�Թ� community. In addition to serving the larger Colorado population, LLSA aims to make an impact close to home.����

��“I think a lot of immigrant and Latine communities are in a lot of fear, and they need advocates that they know that they can trust. So, we really do try to coordinate volunteer opportunities. I think that's a big priority for us,” said Portillo.����

From left to right, top to bottom: Diego Cabrera-Gutierrez, Kurshvin Ragavoodoo, Jennifer Portillo, Natalie Darquea, Yatzari Lozano Vazquez, Emilia Endara; Violeta Chapin (faculty advisor), Rafaela Lindnau Noronha, Sophia Boldt, Izzy Goss.��

Endara and Portillo highlighted that LLSA has allowed them to find a sense of connection and cultural similarity, not just academic and professional opportunities. They explained how their identities allow them to pursue their passions while also giving back to their own cultural communities.����

“The opportunity to connect with people about having a common background and hearing about other people's experiences has been the most rewarding part to me,” said Endara.��

“I also just love how close our board is. We'll hang out outside of school and try to check in on each other. It's not just a title — we really care about each other,” added Portillo.����

The next LLSA event takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, with a back-to-school panel in collaboration with the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association.��

To get involved with the LatinX Law Students Association, students can email llsa@colorado.edu����