Crisanta is a sixth-generation Coloradan, an attorney, and a dedicated public servant with years of experience bringing solutions to fruition for the people of Colorado.
The real-life experiences of Coloradans, regardless of race, gender, income, area of state, disability, political beliefs, or religion, have informed her efforts to make an impact and ensure fairer and more just outcomes for all.
Crisanta grew up in Northglenn and Arvada and attended public schools. She was raised to appreciate a solid work ethic from a young age. By the time she graduated from the University of Denver, she worked in the shoe department at Sears in the Westminster Mall, as a restaurant busser and server, as a receptionist at a hair salon, at a childcare center, and delivered the newspaper.
She later earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Law. While there, she was on the Rothgerber Moot Court team, was elected by her classmates to serve as the Student Bar Association President, and worked as a fellow for Colorado Supreme Court Justice Alex Martinez. Upon graduating from law school, her first job was advocating for grocery and food processing workers in labor arbitrations and contract negotiations.
Crisanta became involved in politics through her efforts to advocate for working people at the state Capitol and was President of the Colorado Young Democrats. In 2008, she was inspired by then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama, who was running for President of the United States. She had the honor of introducing him and Caroline Kennedy at a rally held at the University of Denver. That same year, she was Political Director for Mark Udall’s successful bid for the U.S. Senate.
As Speaker of the Colorado House and Majority Leader, she passed bills to make child care and housing more affordable, schools safer, protected civil rights, expanded the deployment of broadband in rural areas, lifted up local businesses to train Coloradans for good paying jobs, and supported efforts to fund transit. She also served as Chair of the Joint Budget Committee and analyzed state government departments. Her years on the committee resulted in the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center funding, which continues to have a law library open to the public, and attorney salary increases to retain a high-quality team at the Department of Law.
She earned more than forty awards and recognitions, including Conservation Colorado Legislator of the Year, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leader and Humanitarian Awards, Arvada West High School Hall of Fame Honoree, Housing Colorado Legislator of the Year, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Cesar Chavez People’s Award, and the Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans Certificate of Appreciation.