Meet Michael Garcia

Michael Garcia is the Special Projects Manager at Metro Community Provider Network (MCPN), one of the largest primary health care providers of the uninsured and medically underserved in Colorado. Michael is responsible for managing the Specialty Referral Network which facilitates affordable access to specialty care services for MCPN patients. Michael also manages the MCPN Advocacy Network, which educates, empowers, and inspires MCPN Advocates to advocate on behalf of MCPN and its patients to elected officials.

Prior to his service at MCPN, Michael was elected to four terms to the Colorado House of Representatives where he served as the Assistant Majority Leader during the 65th and 66th General Assembly. During his tenure, Michael was strong and outspoken voice for fiscal responsibility, successfully passing legislation authorizing state agencies to base fees on actual costs associated with the services provide and pushing legislation requiring fees be used only for purposes in which they are collected. Michael also worked hard to improve public safety in Colorado, authoring legislation banning beginning drivers from using cell phones while driving, increasing penalties for transporting unsecured loads, and improving Colorado's witness protection laws. Michael also championed the cause of vulnerable Coloradans, rewriting Colorado's foreclosure laws giving struggling homeowners, who are facing foreclosure, the best opportunity to keep their homes and putting forward legislation requiring the mandatory reporting of abuse of at-risk adults. Michael chaired the Interim Committee on Long-Term Health Care Services and Supports to Persons with Developmental Disabilities which led to the enactment of six pieces of legislation and a significant increase in funding for programs that support the developmentally disabled. The Committee was also the catalyst for Amendment 51, an initiative written by Michael, which sought to raise the sales tax and dedicate the revenue for health care services for the developmentally disabled.

Michael designed and taught civic engagement courses at the University of Colorado at Boulder and was the Coordinator for the Youth Council for Public Policy, a non-partisan program aimed at educating young people about the democratic process as a tool for positive social change, empowering young voices to be responsible citizens and advocates for their generation, and inspiring active and responsible democratic participation.

Michael's record of achievement has been widely recognized. In March 2001, Michael was awarded a "Rising Star" award from the Colorado Democratic Party. In January 2002, Michael earned a Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI) Star Award (formerly the Business Legislator of the Year Award). This award is given to those legislators who have demonstrated strong support of the business agenda and Colorado's economy. In May 2003, Michael was named one of the Democratic Leadership Council's (DLC) "100 New Democrats to Watch." In July 2006, Michael was named "Legislator of the Year" by the Colorado Public Trustees Association for his work on improving Colorado's foreclosure laws. In March 2007, Michael was recognized by the Denver Business Journal as "Forty Under 40" an honor bestowed upon 40 outstanding local professionals under age 40 for their business success and community contributions. More recently, Michael was recognized by the Aurora Civitan as their "Man of the Year" and earned the Joe Schippicasse "Do the Right Thing" Award from the ARC of Pikes Peak for his work on behalf of the developmentally disabled community.

Michael is no stranger to the media and has appeared frequently on a number of public affairs programs including "The Colorado State of Mind," "The Aaron Harber Show," "Comcast Newsmakers," and "Independent Thinking."

Michael and his family have lived in Aurora for over 29 years. After graduating from Aurora Central High School in 1992, Michael earned a Bachelor's degree from University of Colorado at Boulder in 1996 and a Master's degree from the University of Arizona in 1998. Michael then earned a fellowship from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Institute (CHCI) and worked in Washington, D.C. for U.S. Representative Solomon P. Ortiz (Texas—27th).

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