Hispanic Initiative for Literacy Opportunities weaving a tapestry of knowledge

HILO has co-sponsored the Hispanic Art Exhibit at the Colorado State Fair from August, 2000 to August, 2007. These events have featured  regional Chicano, Hispano and Native American artists and performers. Attendance at these events has increased from about 4,000 people in 2000 to about 8,000 in 2004. Publications featuring these events are available from our home page.

HILO and El Escritorio were sponsors of Earth Day 2001, held at El Centro del Quinto Sol on Pueblo's East Side. A poetry reading to be remembered by renowned author and poet, Abelardo "Lalo" Delgado, was given. The  afternoon activities were from 1 pm until 4 pm and were free and open to the public. They included well known musician John Gerlock, an Aztec Incantation by E. Terrones S. and a performance by the 2000 Fiesta Queen, Sara Roybal. There were commentaries about environmental issues such as air quality, chemical waste disposal alternatives and urban sprawl.

We have sponsored the Festival de las Artes, first named Festival Folklorico, held from September, 1994 to November, 1998. The purpose of these events was to bring talented Chicano, Mexicano, Hispano, and Native American artists, performers and craftsmen to the public and to promote the development of the artisans various talents. The events were great successes.

Forbidden Voices: Aztec Princess, Christian Church and María Carrera  by Anna Orozco Flores was co-published by HILO along with El Escritorio in 1998. An Unfortunate Encounter: Murder of Culebra Creek by Tommey L. Herrera was published by HILO in 1994. This mystery takes place in the San Luis Valley of Colorado and will keep the reader in suspense.

Austin Bent Box, a southern Ute, gave a presentation in Pueblo, Colorado sponsored by HILO on May, 1997. The topic of the presentation was "History and Culture of the Ute People."

HILO was also the main sponsor of famed author, Rudolfo Anaya, when he appeared in Pueblo on September 15th & 16th, 1994. He spoke to over 1,500 people at a number of locations and proved to be a sensation.

These are only some of many events that HILO has sponsored. Future events will also center around literature, the arts, crafts, music, dance and history and bring local, national and internationally known talent to the community. The magazine, Compañero, features many of the events sponsored by HILO.