MEET DUANE GURULE
From the Arkansas Valley to the State Capitol
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Duane Gurule is a fourth-generation Southern Coloradoan, rooted in the Arkansas Valley.
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His family’s story is the story of this region. In the 1930s, his family migrated from Trinidad to the Rocky Ford area, leaving work in the mines to labor in the sugar beet fields of the Lower Arkansas Valley. They built a life through hard work, sacrifice, and a deep connection to the land and community.
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Duane was raised in that same community, but his path wasn’t easy.
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Growing up, his family moved between Denver and Rocky Ford due to housing instability, giving him a firsthand understanding of the challenges many families face just trying to stay afloat. He grew up in poverty, in an environment impacted by drugs, and became involved in gangs at a young age.
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Despite those challenges, Duane found stability and support in public schools—with the guidance of educators and coaches who believed in him. He graduated from Rocky Ford High School and attended Otero Junior College through concurrent enrollment.
A Second Chance and a New Direction
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Duane made a mistake that led to his incarceration, and he takes full responsibility for that chapter of his life. He served time at Trinidad Correctional Facility and Kit Carson Correctional Facility—an experience that forced him to confront his choices and decide what kind of future he wanted to build.
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That experience became a turning point.
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While incarcerated in state facilities, Duane took advantage of every opportunity available to him—especially education and job training programs. Through programs like computer classes at Trinidad Correctional Facility, he discovered a path forward. Those experiences gave him real skills, discipline, and a new sense of purpose.
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They changed the trajectory of his life.
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After his release, Duane committed himself to doing things differently—to building a life defined by accountability, service, and opportunity. That journey ultimately led him to higher education, a career in technology, and a life dedicated to helping others succeed.
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Today, Duane carries that experience with him—and it shapes his belief that when we invest in people and provide meaningful opportunities for growth, we don’t just change individual lives—we build safer, stronger communities.
Building a Life of Service and Leadership
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Duane returned to school and earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Metropolitan State University of Denver, launching a successful career in IT and systems management.
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He and his wife of 12 years built their life in the Denver metro area while raising their family—but in 2018, Duane made a decision that defines his leadership today.
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He moved his family back home to Rocky Ford.
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Bringing his remote IT career with him, Duane saw firsthand the opportunity to expand remote work in rural Colorado—attracting higher-paying jobs while allowing families to live in the communities they love.
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Today, he and his wife are raising their four children—two young adults and two elementary-aged daughters—in the same community that raised him.
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But Duane didn’t just come home—he stepped up to serve.
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He has taken on leadership roles across local, regional, and statewide organizations focused on strengthening communities, improving systems, and expanding opportunity in rural Colorado. His service includes:
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Executive Board Member, Colorado Municipal League – helping guide statewide policy and advocacy for Colorado’s cities and towns, with a strong focus on rural communities
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Board Director, Southeast Health Group – supporting behavioral health and reentry services for individuals and families across Southeast Colorado
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Governing Council Member, Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger – working alongside state and community leaders to improve food access and build coordinated, equity-driven systems
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Advisory Council Member, Otero College – helping align education and workforce pathways with regional needs
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Workgroup Chair, Communities That Care (Otero County) – collaborating on youth-focused prevention strategies across schools, justice systems, and community partners
Across every role, Duane has focused on one thing: bringing people together to solve real problems and build stronger systems that serve everyone.
Solving Problems & Fighting for Rural Colorado’s Future
When Duane Gurule returned home to Rocky Ford, he didn’t come back to observe—he came back to solve problems.
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He saw food insecurity impacting families across Southeast Colorado. So he didn’t wait for someone else to act. He stepped in and built a solution. Duane founded a nonprofit that now provides no-cost food access, youth programs, and pathways to economic opportunity, helping families meet immediate needs while building a stronger future.
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When Duane sees a challenge, he doesn’t look away—he leans in.
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As Mayor of Rocky Ford, he identified gaps in transparency, economic development, and community trust. He took action. Opening up city processes, supporting local businesses, and bringing people together to tackle tough issues head-on.
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That’s how Duane leads:
See the problem. Step up. Solve it—or fight to change what’s causing it.
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His background in IT shapes how he approaches every challenge. Instead of temporary fixes, Duane focuses on system-level solutions, improving efficiency, maximizing resources, and delivering results that actually work in real communities.
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That mindset has defined his leadership. From expanding food access, to strengthening local government, to building programs that create long-term opportunity.
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Duane’s leadership has also been recognized across the state. He’s a graduate of the Latino Leadership Institute and a 2025 Colorado Governors Fellow, and was named one of MSU Denver’s 10 Under 10.
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Now, he’s ready to take that same approach to the State Capitol.
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Because the reality is clear: rural Colorado is being left behind.
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Families are facing rising costs, limited healthcare access, water uncertainty, and fewer opportunities close to home. These aren’t new problems, but they are problems that demand real solutions.
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Duane isn’t running to maintain the status quo.
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He’s running to take on the root causes. To fight for policies that lower costs, protect water, expand opportunity, and ensure rural communities have a real voice in Colorado’s future.
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Because for Duane, this work is personal.​
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He’s lived the challenges. He’s done the work. And he’s ready to fight for real solutions for
rural Colorado at the State Capitol.