Dominick Moreno - Colorado State Senator
Leader to Learn From: August 2022
August 3, 2022
At an early age, Dominick Moreno learned the value of hard work. His grandfather was a coal miner, his father was a truck driver (and later a high school janitor), and his mother was a lifelong educator.
“My siblings and I didn’t grow up with a lot other than the values our parents raised us with - to value education, to always respect and be kind to others, and to give back to our community whenever possible.” Dominick explained.
Born and raised in Adams County (Colorado), Dominick grew up going to public schools where he made valedictorian while working afternoons at the local Dairy Queen. Through scholarships and part-time jobs, Dominick attended Georgetown University and graduated with a degree in American Government.
Later, Dominick was elected to the city council in Commerce City at the age of 24 - the youngest member in city history. During his first legislative session, Dominick passed a bi-partisan law establishing universal breakfast for kids in lower-income schools.
Today, Dominick serves as a State Senator in District 21, which includes Adams County, Commerce City, Federal Heights, and Westminster. Dominick has served in the Colorado Senate since 2016.
“I first met Senator Moreno through serving together on a state board for the Colorado Department of Human Services,” shared Margie Thirlby, founder of The Thirlby Company LLC. “I’ve always been in awe of Dominick’s leadership presence, communication style, and inclusive approach to solving problems. He really listens and makes other people feel heard. We need more value-driven leaders like Dominick leading our communities.”
OUR INTERVIEW WITH DOMINICK
What inspired you to pursue a career in government?
I’m fortunate to have been born and raised in the community I represent. I decided to pursue a career in public service because I’m keenly aware that my success was never my own. I had amazing teachers, counselors and community members who invested in my potential. When it came time to select a career path, I knew I wanted to enter a field where I could be of service to others because I wanted to, in a small way, repay that debt.
As a state senator, what have been your greatest challenges and opportunities in your role?
Politics is a tough gig. It’s virtually impossible to make everyone happy. Lately, civil discourse has taken a turn for the worse due to how we currently interact with one another. We’re more connected than ever but also more distant because our daily interactions are less personal and genuine. It’s been challenging to convey authenticity via current communication channels, especially in politics.
The opportunities are boundless- public policy is a powerful vehicle for making change in people’s daily lives. I’ve been fortunate to be part of many policy initiatives geared towards improving people’s lives, from expanding healthcare to improving school nutrition.
We know that values were an important part of your upbringing and career path. How do they keep you grounded in your work today?
The values I’ve developed in life are my north star in politics. In this field it’s extremely important to have strong morals and values because they’re often tested through the many difficult situations and decisions that you’re faced with. My parents taught me early on that showing kindness and having respect - especially for people different than you - is most important. I’ve tried to keep this value at the forefront in personal and professional life, which includes showing respect for people who have different political views than my own.
How would you define confidence?
I would define having confidence as not being afraid to share what you think and believe. I still get nervous sharing my thoughts and opinions despite being in a profession where I’m called upon to do so regularly. Over the years I’ve worked to develop the confidence to share my views, but do so in a way that provides space for others to also feel comfortable sharing.
How would you define your mission or purpose in life?
My mission and purpose in life is defined by giving back to the community. I learned this would be my path early in life but it was further solidified during college when I was exposed to the Jesuit ideal of social justice and “men and women for others”.
What is your greatest superpower as a leader?
My greatest superpower is my ability to listen. Often in regular conversations (and especially in politics) people have a tendency to talk past one another without truly listening to where the other person is coming from. Because I was raised with the value of respecting others, it has allowed me to genuinely listen to and appreciate the lived experiences of other people.
What is something that might surprise people about you?
Something I was surprised by, and I’m sure others would find surprising, is how lonely positions of leadership can be. This is especially true in politics as it can be a fairly transactional field. Thankfully, I have a strong family and friendships that preceded my involvement in politics that sustain me.
What have you learned about vulnerability, in the context of leadership?
I’ve learned that you have to be willing to be vulnerable. There is no greater way to convey genuineness and relatability than to be vulnerable. Everyone has difficult and deeply personal stories and when we are willing to share them, it provides space for others to do so and you’d be surprised at the connections that can be made.
What advice would you have for someone who is struggling or feeling stuck right now in their life or career?
I’m not sure I have the best advice because I also am struggling and feeling stuck. I am term-limited and have 2 years left in my term before I’ll have to, as I often say, figure out what I want to be when I grow up. For now, I’m spending a lot of time reflecting on what I truly enjoy about my current job and how I might achieve similar satisfaction in a different profession.
What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
I would advise my younger self to not be afraid of being himself. I spent a lot of years worrying about whether people would accept me for who I am. It’s taken me a lot of time to figure out that we’re not in control of other people’s reactions, so we should simply feel comfortable being ourselves.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I always like to remind people that politicians are simply people with the same faults and vulnerabilities as everyone else. We always need genuine and caring people in elected office so if you’ve ever considered it you should run.
About Dominick Moreno
Born and raised in Adams County, Dominick grew up going to public schools where he made valedictorian while working afternoons at the local Dairy Queen. Through scholarships and part-time jobs, Dominick attended Georgetown University and graduated with a degree in American Government. Dominick’s commitment to using his education to benefit his community led to his election to the city council in Commerce City at the age of 24 - the youngest member in city history. Dominick has served in the Colorado Senate since 2016 and was elected by his colleagues to serve on the Joint Budget Committee, the principal committee tasked with balancing the state’s $36 billion budget each year. In February, Dominick’s colleagues promoted him to the position of Colorado Senate Majority Leader. Dominick loves to travel and spends a lot of free time planning elaborate vacations, many of which he’ll probably never take.
About This Feature
Leaders to Learn From is a standing feature in The Thirlby Company’s monthly newsletter that recognizes leaders in our community who embody our company’s core values. You can learn about our other honorees here, or subscribe to our newsletter to receive this feature and more inspiring content in the future.
