Meet Karen DeAguero

A Legacy of Service and Leadership

I come from a family with Hispanic and Indigenous roots that has dedicated generations to building communities and advocating for justice. My family's story starts in northern New Mexico. My dad's family has been in Chimayó since the 1500s; my 4th great-grandfather, Donaciano Vigil, served as the second governor of the New Mexico Territory, helping to guide the region through its transition to American governance. My mom's family were musicians, artists, teachers, and engineers who valued hard work, kindness, and uplifting the next generation. Her father was an engineer, and her grandfather came to this country as an immigrant, building a life and legacy rooted in opportunity and perseverance. 

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I grew up in a small town of 2,000 people, watching my parents lead communities everywhere we lived: building a visitor center for the Manzanar Japanese internment camp, creating a memorial for the Chinese Massacre along the Snake River, and advocating for small businesses and urban renewal. My mom spent over 30 years as a civil engineer for the U.S. Forest Service, showing me what political leadership really means: showing up with an open heart and mind to find solutions that serve everyone at the table.

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From Small Town to Public Service

When my family moved to Colorado, I became a third-generation engineer at the Colorado School of Mines, earning degrees in Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources Policy. I believe our politicians need technical understanding of the policies they write. When we pass laws about infrastructure, water systems, and renewable energy, the people making those decisions need the expertise to understand real-world implications.

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For nearly a decade, I've managed environmental remediation projects across Colorado, creating policy on environmental protection, electrical safety, and risk management. I've learned that the best solutions come from bringing everyone to the table: companies, government agencies, and the communities affected by our decisions.

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A New Chapter: Why I’m Running

Today, home is in East Arvada with my partner Josh and our two dogs, Oslo and Kepler. I have become increasingly involved with our city government, leading efforts to increase community engagement. This work led me to found Arvada Voices, a nonprofit dedicated to government transparency, where I've covered city council meetings and created resources that help residents make informed decisions. I serve on the community engagement board for Women in Renewable Energy and Sustainability (WRISE), helping build pathways for the next generation of sustainability leaders.

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I wasn't called to run for a political career. I was called to continue my life's work of serving the community through integrity, uplifting neighborhoods, and being the leader we need to represent everyone in Adams County. As a young, Hispanic, multi-generational community advocate who has learned from our best political leaders and practiced being a good neighbor, I couldn't not run.

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Our county faces critical challenges around infrastructure, sustainable growth, housing affordability, and responsible governance. We need an insightful commissioner who reads the fine print, asks tough questions, demands accountability, and puts community first. We need someone who bridges technical expertise with deep community roots and an unwavering commitment to transparency.

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I know how to analyze complex proposals, create effective policy, manage multi-million-dollar budgets, and ensure our government serves residents, not special interests. I combine my mom's data-driven approach with my dad's commitment to showing up and building community. That's the leadership I'll bring to Adams County: leadership rooted in service, guided by expertise, and always focused on making life better for our neighbors.