2023 Endorsed Candidates
Denver Families Action is proud to announce our endorsement of John Youngquist for At-Large, Kimberlee Sia for District 1, and Marlene De La Rosa for District 5 in the upcoming November Denver Public Schools (DPS) Board of Education election. All three candidates possess the vision and qualifications to transform board leadership and shape a better future for DPS families.
John Youngquist, a parent of two current DPS students, has been an education leader for over 30 years, serving in various roles in the district including teacher, principal, and administrator. John has dedicated his life to education and student achievement. He believes in fostering a learning environment that embraces inclusivity and equity, enhancing safety measures within schools, and guaranteeing that every student, irrespective of their background or geographical location, receives a high-quality education.
At-Large: John Youngquist
Voters need to know John Youngquist has spent his life involved in Denver Public Schools – as a teacher, a principal, and a parent. Youngquist has over twenty years of experience working in the Denver Public Schools and he is the only candidate for the at-large district with experience teaching students and working in public schools. Youngquist is endorsed by more than 50 Denver school leaders and teachers because he will be a leading advocate for raising teacher pay, increasing school funding, and ensuring teachers are valued and supported at work. Youngquist will make school safety his top priority by investing in mental health resources, improving security, and keeping guns out of our schools.
Voters need to know Kimberlee Sia is a mom of two DPS students and she has been an education leader for 25 years: she has been a teacher, a principal, and a teacher’s union leader. Kimberlee Sia will support teachers with higher wages and reduce class sizes, and she will increase school safety by investing in mental health, resource officers, and keeping guns out of our schools.
Voters need to know that Marlene De La Rosa is a dedicated parent of two DPS graduates and supported her kids and their classmates in elementary school through high school. De La Rosa will champion teachers by boosting salaries, reducing class sizes, and securing more school funding. She'll work to make our schools safer by expanding mental health services, improving school security, and pushing for measures to prevent violence and gun-related incidents in schools. And she will close the equity gap so that every Denver student - no matter their ethnicity, zip code, or family income - has access to the best teachers and a quality education.
Marlene De La Rosa, a parent of two DPS graduates, has been a lifelong advocate for children, education, and the Northwest Denver community. Marlene spent over three decades at the Department of Justice U.S. Immigration Court, retiring as a legal court specialist. She has dedicated her life—professionally and personally—to ensuring Denver’s youth can reach their full potential. As a leader in the Denver Latino community, she is committed to closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
District 5 | North & Northwest Denver: Marlene De La Rosa
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With a 25-year career in non-profit and educational leadership, Kimberlee Sia has served as a teacher, a principal, and a teachers union leader. As a parent of two current DPS students and as an educator, Kimberlee is committed to enhancing school safety and mental health support; ensuring access for every student to an equitable, high-quality education; and collaborating with families and the community to prioritize student success. She believes in the importance of transparency on the board, and she’s dedicated to working with families to collectively make DPS a high-achieving school district.
District 1 | Southeast Denver: Kimberlee Sia
