About Xóchitl Gaytán

Xóchitl Gaytán is a proud DPS parent, DPS graduate, and community leader who has spent her life fighting for strong neighborhood public schools. A naturalized American citizen born in Mexico and raised in Denver, she experienced firsthand the challenges of being an undocumented student in DPS. Those struggles shaped her into the empathetic, resilient leader she is today. She received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in business management from Metropolitan State University of Denver and is a 23-year veteran licensed real estate agent.

As a mom, Xóchitl chose to raise her family in Harvey Park because of its strong schools and community. She has served as President of the Harvey Park Community Organization and has spent years working to make sure every family has access to safe, high-quality schools close to home. Her youngest son, 17 yr old Olivier has completed his high school credits, has received an associate’s degree in audio engineering from Front Range Community College and is currently working on an additional associate’s degree in general education. And her oldest son, RuiZavier is a DPS graduate, completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in business management at Metropolitan State University of Denver like his mom and currently pursuing law school.

On the school board, Xóchitl has served as President and continues to serve as a dedicated board member. She is deeply committed to protecting public education, keeping resources in classrooms, and supporting teachers and staff so that every Denver student has the opportunity to thrive. Xóchitl believes that strong public schools are the cornerstone of vibrant communities.

ENDORSED BY Denver’s teachers (DCTA Teachers’ union) and working families of Colorado (COWFP), NOT Corporate Special Interests!

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & PLATFORM:

PUBLIC SCHOOL & UNIONS’ CHAMPION

PROTECTING PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUBLIC GOODS, PUBLIC SERVICES, PUBLIC ASSETS, & UNIONS

I protected the public school buildings in SW Denver when I voted for school closure in this last vote, including inserting a district-run school back into the building to not only protect the tax-payer dollars but to prevent a charter network school from taking over. The community, Mrs. Virginia Castro and the superintendent agreed and Summit Academy - a district-run high school - has moved into the Castro Elementary School building, now called Summit Academy at Castro.
I believe it is my responsibility as an elected official to be vocal and bold in supporting the right of teachers and school employees to unionize. While some may advocate for neutrality, I feel strongly that workers deserve not only the legal right but also the moral support of their leaders as they organize for fair treatment, better working conditions, and stronger schools. Remaining silent risks reinforcing the systemic barriers that often discourage employees from exercising their rights.
I am committed to standing in solidarity with teachers, educators and staff, ensuring they know they have champions in leadership who will actively support their organizing efforts.

FIGHTER FOR TEACHERS, PARAPROFESSIONALS & ALL STAFF

I am pro–collective bargaining and committed to strengthening contracts for teachers, paras, nutrition service workers, and facilities.
Worked with Coloradans for the Common Good and our paraprofessionals’ union to raise the minimum wage for paraprofessionals to $20 an hour. They are highly skilled professionals who support our most vulnerable students. That change was about MORE THAN just wages—it was about dignity and value.
Introduced Class size limits policy, however was prevented by the board and the Administration from moving it forward. Look forward to pushing this policy forward again.

STUDENTS FIRST IN ALL DECISIONS

MENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Mental health services and funding needs to be expanded through partnerships with Denver Health AND Julissa Soto (Colorado Public Health Commissioner and Advocate)
Protect and expand wraparound services such Our Community Hubs. This model works—providing food, clothing, GED classes for parents, tutoring, and technology support at no cost. When we support the whole child and their family, results follow
Stand—boldly alongside our immigrant and LGBTQ students and their families. These are some of our most vulnerable and underserved communities, and they deserve action, not just words. That’s why I voted to move forward with legal action against harmful federal policies that threatened our students, supporting an injunction and restraining order to protect them. And when LGBTQ students at East High School courageously advocated for a gender-neutral bathroom, I stood with them as well—because their voices, their safety, and their dignity matter. Our students deserve board members who will protect them with courage and compassion, and I will continue to be that voice.

ACADEMICS

In supporting the superintendent's idea to commission the La Raza report, I championed the recommendations out of the report in order to expand the work in multilingual education. I hope to expand the work through new policies when re-elected.
The Latiné and Black Student Success Programs have been implemented and when re-elected I want to ensure that we strengthen the full recommendations of the Dr. Bailey Report and the La Raza report.
As a DPS parent of a high schooler, school safety is deeply personal to me. Every morning I drop my son off, I share the same worry every parent feels—that our children will be safe and protected. I voted to bring back School Resource Officers (SROs) in our middle and high schools after surveying students, families, and educators. Their overwhelming response supported their return. But I made clear: SROs are not there to criminalize students. We also need to continue training staff and students, and address mental health.
We need to focus on increasing district-run specialized schools that meet the needs of neighborhoods such as dual language or Montessori programs.
DPS graduation rates have reached historic highs, and I'm working to expand this model to more schools that need it most.
Over 1,000 high school students graduate with a Seal of Biliteracy and I want to strongly support the access to more under-served & under-represented students.

LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

Passed EL 12 Policy—our district’s commitment to protecting collective bargaining rights and ensuring fairness for every educator, TO INCLUDE teachers in Innovation schools
As Board President, I led the work sessions that customized the policy governance model—adopted just weeks before I joined the board—which now ensures stability, accountability, and thoughtful leadership
In December of 2024, pushed for the creation of the Immigration Taskforce at Central Admin, developing the Know Your Rights training for all staff, students & families
Championed the La RAZA Report and the Latiné Student Success program
Supported Superintendent’s idea of creating the Community Hubs programming
Voted Yes on EL 18 policy amendment - a 4-yr moratorium on closures. This means the Superintendent cannot recommend another closure vote during that time, unless there are extreme circumstances. I supported this policy because I know how deeply my community was impacted, not just by this vote, but by decades of closures that have scarred Southwest Denver.