Judy Baca

Judy M. Baca, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., is a Professor of Social Work (Retired) at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo). She received her baccalaureate degree from the University of Southern Colorado and her Master’s degree from Arizona State University. She has over forty years of experience in education with majority of that time in higher education. She has developed curriculum and has taught numerous courses in Chicano/a Studies and Social Work. She worked as a School Social Worker for District 60, and in Denver prior to joining University.

Professor Baca’s research interest focuses on indigenous and barrio communities. She has given numerous professional presentations and training throughout the country that include culture, diversity, health care and educational disparities amongst historically oppressed populations, folk healing and folklore with an emphasis in curanderismo (Mexican folk healing).

A committed resident of Pueblo with a strong connection to the Salt Creek community; the oldest community in Pueblo. She provides support to several committees and organizations within Pueblo, the Chicano/a Studies and Social Work Department, the College and University. She is currently involvement with the CSU Pueblo Colorado Chicano Movement Archives and El Movimiento Sigre: including the Cinco de Mayo, By-Laws, and Educational subcommittees. She recently sat on the advisory boards and committees for the Chicano Movement Exhibit, El Movimiento: the Chicano Movement in Colorado and Pueblo and the Salt Creek Memory Project for the El Pueblo Historical Museum. She is a committee member of CSU Pueblo’s She served on the Chavez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy and a member of the Board since 2009 until 2020. Professor Baca served in the United States Navy Reserves, Medical Service Corp, and assumed the roles of training officer, executive officer and commanding officer of a detachment and a 500-bed fleet hospital. She does provide training and other consultation activities.

Exhibits & Advisory: 

2020-2021:  Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment Community Health Assessment (CHA Steering Committee. (Invited)

2020: Colorado History Project and the El Pueblo Museum: Recognized as a Colorado Chicana for 2020.  Pictures of selected women were placed on a blanket and on display at the El Pueblo museum.  Several speaking events were planned and due to COVID they were postponed. 

2020 identified as a Chicana Activist of Colorado, and in Martinez-Martinez, D. (2020) Chicana activists of Colorado: Powerful women paper dolls and their stories. CO: Vanishing Horizons. Speaking event were scheduled and postponed due to COVID.

12/2020-present (CHAIR) Cinco de Mayo Youth Leadership Conference Planning Committee.

(2016-current) Colorado State University Pueblo, Chicano Archives, and subcommittee: Education and Marketing

Current-2016, Pueblo Cinco de Mayo Organizing Committee, servicing southern Colorado and providing a vast array of cultural, educational and social experience for Cinco de Mayo. 

 2019 & 2018 Pueblo Chicano Movement Committee. Involved with organization and planning permanent exhibit of the Chicano Movement in Colorado and Pueblo a.k.a. El Movimiento Colorado De Pueblo-to-Pueblo Community College September 2018

Baca, J., Carrillo, C., DiPrince, D. Duran, D., Estrada, V. Montoya, F. A., & Ortega, J. (2017). Salt Creek Memory Project: Connecting Preservation, Museum and Community. Saving Places Conference: Preservation for a Changing Colorado.

Salt Creek Oral History Project advisory committee to focus on an El Pueblo Museum Exhibit opened September 16, 2016. 

El Movimiento de Pueblo Advisory Committee, El Pueblo Museum and Colorado Historical Society, The Chicano Movement in Colorado and Pueblo exhibit opened January 22, 2016.

Consulting, Training Activities:

Summer 2020: Diversity Training for Crossroads Drug and Alcohol Program.

Baca, J, & Reilly Sandoval, A. (2019). Ecomaps and Genograms Training, Colorado Mental Health Institute-Pueblo. Professional Training. (Invitation).

Publications, & Reports:

Baca, J., Franta, J., Murtugh, L. & Clark. C. (Dec/2017). Cannabis: Social Use Survey. Pueblo County Social Impact Studies: Health

Baca, J., Fanta, J. Leslie & Carey. (2017). Cannabis Social Use survey approved July, 2017 and current on line.

Baca, J. (Aug/2017). A Preliminary Report: Exploratory Study on Social and Cultural Use of Marijuana

Presentations & Proposals: 

 Baca, J. Denver, Co. (October,2019) Discovering Memories from the Past to Learn about the strength of a Community. Southwest Social Science Association. San Diego, CA.

Baca, J. (September, 2019). From Folk Healing to Alternative Health Care. Pueblo Heritage Museum. Pueblo, CO. (Invitation).

Baca, J. (2019). Salt Creek: A Sociocultural Perspective. Colorado Latino/a Heritage Project, Boulder, CO.

Baca, J. (2019), From Salado to Salt Creek. High Plains Society for Applied Anthropology Annual Conference: Denver, CO.

Baca, J. (April, 2019). Salt Creek. Colorado Hispanic Heritage, University of Colorado. (invitation).

Baca, J. (2018) proposal submission:  Salt Creek Journey into the Past, Colorado Preservation, and accepted to Present February 2019.

 Fall.2018 Invited to Present on Folk Healing and Salt Creek.  Exact title TBA for the fall of 2019 by the Historical Society.

 Baca, J. (Fall/2018) Keynote speaker: Women in the Military, Dolores Huerta High School Veteran’s Program

 Baca, J. (2018). Curanderismo. Invited to present, CHASS Indigenous Series, Colorado State University Pueblo’s Library.

 Baca, J. M., Carson, K., Montoya, F. A. & (2017). Salt Creek Memory Project. Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium: Enduring Legacies and Forgotten Landmarks.

 Keynote Speaker: (11.11.17) Invited to give a presentation on Women in the Military for 

Veteran’s Day. 

 Baca, J. M., Carson, K., Montoya, F. A. & (2017). Salt Creek Memory Project. Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium: Enduring Legacies and Forgotten Landmarks. 

 Baca, J., Carrillo, C., DiPrince, D. Duran, D., Estrada, V. Montoya, F. A., & Ortega, J. (2017). Salt Creek Memory Project: Connecting Preservation, Museum and Community. Saving Places Conference: Preservation for a Changing Colorado.

 Baca, J. (2017). Curanderismo and indigenous Healing.  Native Voices: Native peoples’ concepts and Healing. part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the American Library Association and Colorado State University Pueblo’s Library. 

 Baca, J. M. (2016).  Education & Racism. High Plains Society for Applied Anthropology. Denver, CO. 

 Baca, J. (2016). Chicano Folklore. Cinco de Mayo. El Pueblo Museum

 Baca, J. M. (2016).  Chicano/as: A legacy of Change or an Illusion of Progress? Southwest Social Science Conference. Las Vegas, Nevada.