Debra Bueno carries passion for helping into the Latino Hall of Fame

Debra Bueno is a big believer in the power of communication.

For more than 35 years she used her skills at listening to and speaking with others to make a difference in Fort Collins, especially within and for the Latino community.

As a supervisor with the city’s Recreation Department, she was the heart and soul of the Northside Aztlan Community Center. People of all ages were welcome, but her passion was for helping kids.

“My saying at the old facility was, ‘Once you walk through my door, no matter who you are, you are a Northside kid,’” she said. “My mission was to make Northside kids impact the world.

“And that has happened time and time again.”

Bueno’s impact will be recognized Friday when she is inducted into the Colorado Latino Hall of Fame during a gala at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Bueno is this year’s recipient of the Unsung Hero Award.

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The honor goes a person who has served and advocated for the Latino community but has not necessarily been recognized for those efforts.

That describes Bueno perfectly, said Rich Salas, who nominated her for the hall of fame. Salas is a longtime friend and former colleague in the city’s Recreation Department.

Formerly associate director of El Centro Student Services at Colorado State University, Salas is an associate professor, director of Multicultural Affairs and chief diversity officer at Des Moines University in Iowa.

Salas attributes much of his personal success to the guidance and counseling Bueno provided him over the years. Her mentoring and caring nature touched the lives of countless others, he said.

“She was always a steadfast and consistent voice to make sure that the most vulnerable in our community were not left out,” Salas said. “Whether it was education, whether it was business, whether it was in the faith community, the list goes on.”

“She’s a Chingona — a bad ass,” he said.

Bueno, 63, was born and raised in Fort Collins. Her family lived on Pine and Willow streets and in the Buckingham neighborhood. She still lives in the historic Andersonville neighborhood.

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Her father, J. Victor Bueno Sr., was an outspoken advocate for the Latino community in Fort Collins. She shares her father’s drive to fight against injustice and to help others, especially the underprivileged.

Bueno said the key to her success as a community advocate was to empower others and show them how to take on leadership roles. And then there was that ability to listen.

Programming like summer basketball gave kids something to do, she said, but sometimes they just needed to talk.

The times and technology have changed communication, she said, but not for the better when it comes to understanding what is on a youngster’s mind.

“You can’t hear a text,” she said. “But you sure can hear their passion or disappointment or joy in a two-minute conversation.”

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Bueno, who retired from the Recreation Department three years ago, said she feels honored and humbled to be acknowledged by the Colorado Latino Hall of Fame.

She only wants what is best for the city of Fort Collins and her community, Bueno said. That desire will carry into the future as the city goes through inevitable changes.

“It’s called the Choice City. I want the citizens in the Latino community and the people of poverty to be included in ... Choice City decisions and that we work together as a community to go forward.”

Kevin Duggan is a Coloradoan senior reporter covering local government. Follow him on Twitter, @coloradingoan_dugg and on Facebooks at Coloradoan Kevin Duggan.

Latino Hall of Fame

The Colorado Latino Hall of Fame was established by the Latino Leadership Institute at the University of Denver. In addition to Debra Bueno, this year’s inductees are:

• Legacy Award — Felipe and Dolores Baca, who were among the founders of Trinidad and San Luis Valley irrigation facilities.
• Arts, Entertainment, Media, And Sports Award — Florence Hernández-Ramos, founder of radio station KUVO and its general manager for 20 years.
• Business, Innovation, Science, And Technology Award — Annette Quintana, co-founder of tech consulting company Istonish.
• Community Service And Philanthropy Award — Ronald Montoya, Denver businessman and founder of the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado.
• Public Service Award — Ken Salazar, former state official, U.S. senator and Secretary of the Interior.