Officers

Ashley Flores

President

Ashley Flores

President

Ashley Flores is the proud mother of two wonderful daughters, Sammie and Charlotte. She is eligible for membership in the American Legion Auxiliary through her husband, Christopher, who served in the U.S. Army and deployed to Iraq twice. Ashley is a Pre-K teacher who is passionate about helping young children learn and grow, finding great fulfillment in nurturing young minds each day.

Rebekah Arpan

President-Elect

Rebekah Arpan

President-Elect

Based in Colorado Springs, Rebekah Arpan is the Department of Colorado American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) President-Elect, bringing a profound personal and professional legacy of service to the role. A 14-year U.S. Army veteran (1999–2013), military spouse to an Air Force retiree, and descendant of multiple generations of Navy and Army veterans, she has spent her life rooted in military culture. Currently serving as the Department of Colorado ALA Leadership Chair and a member of Post/Unit 209, her extensive leadership background includes past roles as the Department Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (VA&R) Chair and Department Junior Co-Chair. Her dedication to the ALA was deeply solidified when her daughters joined as Junior Members under her father’s military service record. Motivated by a vision to expand leadership mentorship and introduce innovative ideas to support veterans, Rebekah champions youth development (Girls State and Juniors), VA&R initiatives, and leadership growth to empower the next generation of advocates and secure a vibrant future for the organization.

Dawn Valdez

Vice President

Dawn Valdez

Vice President

Dawn's 18-year journey with the American Legion Auxiliary is rooted in a deep personal commitment, having joined the organization through her husband's service in the United States Navy. For nearly two decades, she has translated her firsthand experience as a military spouse into unwavering advocacy, providing trusted leadership and passionately supporting veterans, service members, and their families through dedicated service to the American Legion Auxiliary.

Tracy Trujillo

National Executive Committee Member

Tracy Trujillo

National Executive Committee Member

Tracy has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Colorado, Ovie Vernon Unit #2 in Pueblo since 2006. Her eligibility is through her maternal grandfather, a WWII veteran; her father, a Vietnam veteran and Legionnaire of Post #2; and her brother, who served during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and is also a Legionnaire. She has served in leadership roles at the Unit, District, Department, and Division levels, including Unit President, District President, and Department President (2019–2021), as well as Northwest Division Children & Youth Chair and Legislative Chair. She holds associate degrees in Business Administration and Accounting from Pueblo Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Colorado State University–Pueblo. She is the proud mother of her son Christopher, grandmother to Tensley, and dog-mom to Finn.

Linda Cordova

Chaplain

Linda Cordova

Chaplain

Linda Cordova was born in Oklahoma and moved to Colorado with her family at the age of ten. She graduated from Monte Vista High School and married just two months after graduation. Inspired by her father's service creating boards for the military, Linda developed a deep appreciation for those who serve our nation. After her youngest daughter married, Linda returned to college and earned her degree, becoming a licensed Activity Director. She dedicated 29 years to serving others in the medical field, enriching the lives of nursing home residents through compassionate care and meaningful activities before retiring. Linda's second husband was a Vietnam War veteran who passed away in 2019 from illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure. His service and sacrifice continue to inspire her commitment to honoring veterans and supporting the American Legion Auxiliary.

Janelle Mendelson

Secretary

Janelle Mendelson

Secretary

Janelle Mendelson is a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Colorado since 2009. She joined Unit 103 Littleton and is eligible for membership through her great grandfather Ernest Peterson WWI, and her husband, Joel Mendelson, a Vietnam Era Veteran. She served as ALA Department of Colorado President ’23-’24 and has held many unit, district and department offices and committee positions. Janelle is a Public Affairs Outreach specialist within VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System located at Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center in Aurora. She is also actively involved in P.E.O. an organization supporting women furthering their education and belongs to the Mt. Lookout Chapter, Golden, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Her interests include a long-standing book club, taking in local jazz concerts and being a foodie, especially of the Mexican or Italian varieties.

Laurie Kuntz

Treasurer

Laurie Kuntz

Treasurer

Since joining the American Legion Auxiliary 30 years ago, Laurie Kuntz has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the organization's mission through dedicated service at the unit, district, department, and national levels. She served as Department President of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Colorado from 2018–2019 and has contributed to numerous department committees, including serving as an American Legion Baseball Commissioner and a member of the High School Oratorical Committee. Laurie's dedication to the American Legion Family extends to her own family. Her daughter, Phylicia, proudly served as the Junior Honorary Department President, while her son, Teddy, has served as the Sons of The American Legion Detachment Sergeant-at-Arms since 2018. Together, they exemplify a family tradition of service, leadership, and commitment to veterans, military families, and their communities.

Cat Apodaca

Sergeant-at-Arms

Cat Apodaca

Sergeant-at-Arms

Cat Apodaca is a dedicated member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 22 in Northglenn, where she has proudly served since 2015. She is eligible for membership through her husband, George, a Vietnam combat veteran. Cat has held several leadership positions at the Unit, District, and Department levels. She has also served in numerous chair positions, demonstrating her commitment and passion for supporting veterans and their families.

Casey Rigerman

Membership Coordinator

Casey Rigerman

Membership Coordinator

Casey is a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 161 in Arvada, Colorado, and has proudly served as a member since 2000. She is eligible for membership through her maternal grandfather, James "Jay" Messer, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. In addition to her service with the American Legion Auxiliary, Casey is also a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), further demonstrating her commitment to supporting veterans and honoring their service.

Shelley McLatchie

Immediate Past Department President

Shelley McLatchie

Immediate Past Department President

Shelley was a charter member of ALA Unit 26, Eaton CO joining in September 2019 and a current member of Unit 109 in Windsor. She has served as a unit president, district vice-president, district president and department membership chair for two years and Department President 2025-2026. She is eligible through her husband, Rick McLatchie. Shelley loves to crochet and scrapbook and spend time with friends and family.

Officers

Ashley Flores

Rebekah Arpan

Dawn Valdez

Tracy Trujillo

Linda Cordova

Janelle Mendelson

Laurie Kuntz

Cat Apodaca

Casey Rigerman

Shelley McLatchie

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