In the Community

aurora chamber of commerce meeting

A few months ago, Rep. Ricks joined the Aurora Chamber of Commerce for a morning of engaging conversation on small businesses, elections, landlords, and HOAs: the issues shaping everyday life for HD40 constituents.

CHange of the adjutant general ceremony

In honor of our veterans and active service members, Representative Ricks celebrated Adjutant General McClellan for her retirement and recognized her dedicated service and leadership.

ncsl jobs summit - oct 2025

In October 2025, Representative Ricks represented Colorado at the NCSL Jobs Summit in San Jose. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and she is committed to making sure they thrive.

Tour of new horizon academy

On Halloween, Rep. Ricks toured New Horizon Academy, a local child care provider serving families across Aurora. She saw firsthand the meaningful connections between staff and students, and New Horizon's thoughtful approach to early childhood education, reinforcing why supporting child care facilities matters now more than ever.

Denver northeast rotary club meeting

In November 2026, Rep. Ricks spoke to the Denver Northeast Rotary Club. They had a meaningful discussion on elections, federal policies, her legislative priorities, and the important work of the African Chamber of Commerce.

2025 veterans salute

A few months ago, Rep. Ricks had the privilege of attending the 2025 Veterans Salute with Aurora Mental Health. She honored veterans who call Aurora home and remembered those we've lost or who remain missing.

Speaking to the students at aurora central high school

Back in November 2025, Representative Ricks spoke with the refugee students at Aurora Central High School to show them that anything is possible even in the face of the challenges they may endure.

NCsl capital forum

Back in November, Rep. Ricks traveled to Washington, D.C. for the NCSL Capital Forum alongside her fellow Colorado state lawmakers. While there, she met with White House officials to discuss some of the nation's most pressing issues, including immigration reform and the SNAP and Medicaid programs.

excel center tour

Also in November, Rep. Ricks toured the Excel Center: Colorado's only in-person adult high school. She saw adults from diverse backgrounds returning to complete their education who were backed by a strong support system helping them succeed.

ncoil 2025 in atlanta

Last fall, Rep. Ricks traveled to Atlanta for the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) Conference, joining fellow state legislators dedicated to strengthening insurance protections for individuals across the country.

nfwl conference in new orleans

Immediately after NCOIL, Representative Ricks went to New Orleans for the National Foundation of Women Legislators Conference. She met with female legislators from across the country on the most pressing policy challenges facing Americans today.

Excel center winter commencement

Rep. Ricks was honored to attend the Excel Center Winter Commencement Ceremony, celebrating graduates at the state's only in-person adult high school. Watching students of all ages and backgrounds achieve their educational dreams was a powerful reminder that access to education should never have an expiration date.

nbcsl state legislators’ 49th annual legislative conference

In early December, Representative Ricks traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators' 49th Annual Legislative Conference. She joined fellow Black state legislators from Colorado and across the country to build relationships and advance their shared priorities.

Town hall with senator bennet

In January of 2026, Rep. Ricks hosted an MLK Town Hall alongside Senator Bennet and members of African and immigrant communities from Denver and Aurora. We covered immigration, education, affordability, and business development: exactly the conversations that matter most to our community.

cccs legislator luncheon

Back in January, Rep. Ricks attended the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) Legislator Luncheon, where she connected with students and educators and discussed her commitment to promoting education and expanding opportunities for Coloradans.

keynote speaker at the 2026 annual african and community well-being summit

Back in February Rep. Ricks was the keynote speaker at the 2026 Annual African Cultural and Community Well-being Summit in Los Angeles. She shared her journey from arriving as a refugee from Liberia to serving in the legislature, and to discuss the work ahead to strengthen our communities.

youth behind and beyond bars

Back in February, Rep. Ricks joined fellow legislators for Youth Behind & Beyond Bars at the Capitol. Hosted by Motus Theatre, the show centers the voices of Coloradans who were incarcerated as children, and it doesn't shy away from the lasting impact those experiences carry into adulthood.

cacy comes to the capitol

In February, Rep. Ricks hosted the Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth at the Capitol and had the opportunity to recognize the vital role caregiving youth play in supporting their families while balancing school and everyday life.

Entrepreneur day of action at the capitol

Back in February, Rep. Ricks hosted Entrepreneur Day of Action, where she brought together entrepreneurs and business leaders from across Colorado at the Capitol. She spoke about the vital role small businesses play in strengthening our communities and driving our local economies.

Jack and jill denver visits the capitol

In March, Rep. Ricks and the Black Caucus welcomed the Denver chapter of Jack and Jill of America to the Capitol for Jack and Jill Day. Founded in 1955, the chapter has served the Denver community for over 60 years, uplifting young Black leaders through programs like the Beautillion.

8th Annual women’s day celebration

Last March, Rep. Ricks hosted the 8th Annual International Women’s Day Celebration at the Capitol and welcomed women and organizations from across Colorado doing incredible work in our communities. The day included a resolution reading with Representative Espinoza, a press conference, and a celebration in the West Foyer.

black women in politics are powerful panel

Back in April, Rep. Ricks joined the Denver Branch of the NAACP for the Black Women in Politics Are Powerful Panel! She shared her story, sitting alongside other remarkable women doing this work every day and empowering the next generation of Black women ready to make their mark in politics and public service.

arapahoe county assembly

On Saturday, March 7, Rep. Ricks attended the Arapahoe County Assembly for House District 40. She is grateful for the trust and support of her constituents and energized for the campaign ahead as she keeps fighting for the issues that matter most to HD40.

Africa night

Back in April, Rep. Ricks spoke at Africa Night: a beautiful celebration of unity across diverse cultures. She shared her journey from Liberia to becoming the first African immigrant elected to the Colorado Legislature and the first Liberian woman to serve in any U.S. state legislature, along with her priorities last session: immigration, education and opportunity, economic empowerment, and housing: the pillars of a thriving, unified community.

Operation pollination event at the governor’s mansion

In April 2026, Rep. Ricks joined the Rotary Club of Denver Metro South at their Operation Pollination Event at the Governor's Mansion and discussed how they can protect Colorado's pollinators and environment. She also received the Rotary Humanitarian Award and remains committed to championing causes that protect our future and environment.

hosting alg at the capitol

Back in April, Rep. Ricks hosted the the African Leadership Group at the Capitol and spoke with the group about the the legislative process. As an African immigrant herself, Rep. Ricks values the opportunity to sit down with individuals across the African Diaspora and discuss the important issues facing African communities throughout Colorado.

black caucus end of session gala

On May 17, Rep. Ricks attended the Colorado Black Democratic Legislative Caucus's End of Session Gala with her fellow caucus members, celebrating Black excellence and the session's meaningful legislation, including SB26-190, ensuring police use-of-force recordings are shared with victims' families.

HD40 Precinct organizer picnic

On May 17, Rep. Ricks joined fellow Democrats at the HD40 Precinct Organizer Picnic to welcome the district’s new organizers and talk about the road ahead: a great reminder of why local organizing matters.

hb26-1003 signing ceremony

On May 29, Governor Polis signed HB26-1003: Small Business Recovery Modifications into law, carried by Rep. Ricks alongside Representative Camacho and Senators Kolker and Marchman. As a small business owner herself, Rep. Ricks knows what it takes to keep something you've built still standing. This bill allocates $5 million to small businesses across Colorado and strengthens the CLIMBER Loan program to better serve minority-owned, rural, urban, and veteran-owned businesses statewide.

38th star exhibit & blaxplanation reception

On May 31, Rep. Ricks attended the 38th Star Exhibit at History Colorado, celebrating the state's 150th birthday and the Blaxplanation Reception, a powerful event underscoring why preserving historic Black sites in Colorado and across the country matters.

Davita lowry dialysis center visit

In June, Representative Ricks visited the DaVita Lowry Dialysis Center and saw firsthand the exceptional care this facility provides to patients managing various chronic health conditions.

Lowry community solar projects celebration

On Wednesday, June 3, Representative Ricks toured the Lowry Community Solar Project: a 240-acre solar development right here in HD40. Built through a partnership between US Solar, Xcel Energy, and Energy Outreach Colorado, the project delivers clean energy to 8,000 households and saves each an average of $750 a year on energy bills.

cobalt summer social

In early July, Rep. Ricks joined Cobalt's Summer Social at Cleo Parker Robinson to celebrate this year's awardees and dig into how the state can continue to protect reproductive rights.

9th annual obama gala with special guest andy beshear

On Saturday, June 6, Rep. Ricks and Colorado Democrats gathered for the 9th Annual Obama Gala, honoring their award winners, hearing from guest speaker Governor Andy Beshear, and discussing what it will take to return power to the people in the face of an increasingly aggressive federal government.

inseparable policy academy

From June 11–13, Rep. Ricks joined legislators from across the country in Scottsdale, Arizona for the Inseparable Policy Academy, digging into the mental health challenges facing our states and what it will take to expand access to care.

2026 arapahoe county picnic & annual awards celebration

On Sunday, June 14, Rep. Ricks attended the Arapahoe County Picnic & Annual Awards Celebration and left feeling fired up for a high-stakes election year.

Blue crew social

On July 9, Representative Ricks joined Blue Crew Social in Aurora, where she spoke with attendees about what's at stake this election season and her plan to earn your vote in November!

Ghana day celebration

On Saturday, July 11, Rep. Ricks attended the annual Ghana Day Picnic as part of the 40th  anniversary  of the Denver Black Arts Festival!

Jc Penney visit

In August, Rep. Ricks toured a JC Penney store in Aurora, where she learned about the company's efforts to be more inclusive, from expanding clothing sizes to offering hair and makeup products for all communities.

winter park jazz festival

Two weeks ago, Rep. Ricks attended the Winter Park Jazz Festival, where she enjoyed performances from talented jazz artists and was reminded of what makes Colorado summers so special.

oil and gas panel at patagonia boulder

In mid-August, Rep. Ricks attended a screening of This Is Not a Drill and spoke on a panel to discuss what's happening right here in Aurora. Fracking operations and new oil rigs are going up near the Aurora Reservoir: a critical water source for hundreds of thousands of Coloradans.