Yadira Caraveo

The neutral encyclopedia of notable people




Yadira Caraveo
Yadira Caraveo
Born23 12, 1980
BirthplaceDenver, Colorado, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, pediatrician
Known forFirst Latina member of Congress from Colorado
EducationRegis University (BS)
University of Colorado Denver (MD)

Yadira D. Caraveo (Template:IPAc-en; born December 23, 1980) is an American politician and pediatrician who served as the U.S. representative for Colorado's 8th congressional district from January 2023 to January 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Caraveo made history as Colorado's first Latina member of Congress upon her election in November 2022.[1] Before her election to Congress, she represented the 31st district in the Colorado House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023, covering parts of Adams and Weld counties.[2] A practicing pediatrician, Caraveo brought a medical perspective to her legislative work, focusing on healthcare access, marijuana regulation, and immigration policy during her time in the state legislature and in Congress. She narrowly lost her bid for re-election in 2024 to Republican Gabe Evans.[3] In April 2025, Caraveo announced her candidacy for the 2026 election to reclaim the seat, but withdrew from the race in September 2025, citing her struggle with mental health.[4]

Early Life

Yadira D. Caraveo was born on December 23, 1980, in Denver, Colorado.[2] She grew up in a family with roots in the Latino community of the Denver metropolitan area. Her upbringing in Colorado informed much of her later political work, particularly her focus on healthcare access and the needs of working families in suburban and exurban communities north of Denver.[5]

Caraveo pursued her interest in medicine and public service from an early age. Her experiences growing up in Colorado's diverse communities helped shape her perspective on issues of healthcare, education, and immigration — themes that would become central to her career as both a physician and a legislator.[1]

Education

Caraveo earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Regis University, a private Jesuit university in Denver.[2] She subsequently attended the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, where she received her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.[6] After completing her medical training, Caraveo practiced as a pediatrician in the Denver metropolitan area, working at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children among other facilities.[7]

Career

Early Career and Community Involvement

Before entering politics, Caraveo worked as a pediatrician, treating children and families in the northern Denver metropolitan area.[7] Her medical career gave her direct insight into healthcare challenges facing families, including the costs of prescription medications and the impact of public health policy on child welfare. In addition to her medical work, Caraveo was appointed to the board of trustees of the Anythink Libraries system, a public library district serving Adams County.[8] This community service role reflected her broader interest in public institutions and civic engagement in the communities she served as a physician.

Colorado House of Representatives (2019–2023)

Caraveo was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in November 2018, representing the 31st district, which encompassed parts of Adams and Weld counties.[9] Her election was part of a broader wave of suburban women winning legislative seats in the 2018 midterm elections across the United States.[10] She succeeded Joe Salazar in the seat and took office on January 4, 2019.[2]

During her tenure in the state House, Caraveo was an active legislator on multiple fronts, drawing on her medical background to advocate for healthcare-related policy. One of her prominent legislative efforts involved addressing the regulation of high-potency marijuana products, particularly as they related to teenage use. In 2021, Caraveo introduced legislation aimed at studying and potentially restricting the potency of THC in marijuana products sold in Colorado, motivated by concerns about the effects of high-potency cannabis on adolescent brain development.[11][12]

The marijuana potency issue drew significant attention in the Colorado legislature. Caraveo framed her concerns as a pediatrician and public health advocate, noting the increasing availability of concentrates and edibles with very high THC levels.[13] The legislative debate over marijuana regulation ultimately proved complex, with the bill undergoing revisions during the session.[14]

Caraveo also engaged in legislative work related to immigration. She was involved in efforts to address immigration policy at the state level, a significant issue in the diverse communities she represented in Adams and Weld counties.[15]

2022 Congressional Campaign

In August 2021, Caraveo announced her candidacy for the newly created Colorado's 8th congressional district, which had been established following the 2020 census as Colorado gained a new congressional seat due to population growth.[16] The new district was drawn to include parts of the northern Denver suburbs, including communities in Adams, Weld, and surrounding counties — territory that overlapped significantly with the areas Caraveo had represented in the state legislature and served as a pediatrician.

Caraveo's campaign quickly gathered support from fellow Democratic lawmakers and political leaders.[17][18] The 8th district race was considered one of the most competitive congressional contests in the country in 2022, as the newly drawn district was closely divided between Democratic and Republican voters.[19]

Caraveo ran on her background as a pediatrician and state legislator, emphasizing healthcare access, the cost of prescription drugs, and the needs of working families in the suburban and rural communities of the district. Her campaign was registered with the Federal Election Commission and raised substantial funds for the competitive race.[20]

In the November 2022 general election, Caraveo won the race for Colorado's 8th congressional district, becoming the first person to represent the newly created district and making history as Colorado's first Latina member of Congress.[21][1]

U.S. House of Representatives (2023–2025)

Caraveo took office on January 3, 2023, as the inaugural representative for Colorado's 8th congressional district.[21] As the constituency had been newly established, she had no predecessor in the seat. During her single term in Congress, Caraveo represented a competitive swing district that included a mix of suburban, exurban, and agricultural communities north of Denver.

Her tenure in Congress reflected many of the priorities she had championed in the state legislature, including healthcare policy, immigration, and the economic concerns of working families. As a physician-legislator, she was among a small number of medical doctors serving in the 118th Congress.[6]

2024 Re-election Campaign and Defeat

Caraveo sought re-election to the 8th district seat in 2024 but faced a challenging race in the competitive district. She narrowly lost to Republican challenger Gabe Evans, who succeeded her in representing the district beginning on January 3, 2025.[3][22]

2026 Congressional Campaign and Withdrawal

In April 2025, Caraveo announced her candidacy to reclaim the 8th Congressional District seat in the 2026 election cycle.[3] The announcement signaled her intent to challenge Evans in a rematch in the district Democrats viewed as winnable.

However, on September 12, 2025, Caraveo announced that she was ending her campaign.[3][22][23][24] The decision was reported by multiple Colorado news outlets simultaneously, including The Denver Post, The Colorado Sun, Colorado Public Radio, and Colorado Politics.[25][26][27]

In her withdrawal announcement, Caraveo cited her struggle with mental health as a factor in her decision.[4] Three days later, on September 15, 2025, Caraveo spoke publicly for the first time since ending her campaign in an interview with Denver7, discussing her reasons for withdrawing and her mental health challenges.[4] Reports also indicated that resistance to her candidacy within the Democratic Party was a factor in her decision to end the campaign.[22]

Personal Life

Caraveo is a resident of Thornton, Colorado, located in the northern Denver metropolitan area within the boundaries of the 8th congressional district she represented.[26] She has maintained a career as a pediatrician alongside her political activities, having practiced at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children.[7]

In September 2025, following her withdrawal from the 2026 congressional race, Caraveo publicly discussed her struggles with mental health, becoming one of relatively few former members of Congress to speak openly about such challenges.[4] Her candor about mental health drew media attention and was covered by several Colorado news outlets.

Recognition

Caraveo's election to Congress in 2022 was recognized as a historic milestone. She became the first Latina to represent Colorado in the United States Congress, a distinction noted by media outlets covering her victory.[1][21] Her election was also notable as the first contest for Colorado's newly created 8th congressional district, which was added following the 2020 census.

As a physician-legislator, Caraveo received attention from medical and healthcare media for her dual role as a practicing pediatrician and elected official.[6] Her legislative work on marijuana potency regulation in the Colorado state legislature drew coverage from state and national media outlets, positioning her as a prominent voice on the intersection of public health and cannabis policy.[11][13]

Her 2018 election to the Colorado House was part of a nationally covered trend of suburban women running for and winning political office during the midterm elections.[10]

Legacy

Caraveo's career in public office spanned both the state and federal levels, encompassing service in the Colorado House of Representatives and one term in the United States Congress. Her election in 2022 as Colorado's first Latina member of Congress represented a milestone in the state's political history, reflecting the growing political influence of the Latino community in Colorado, particularly in the suburban and exurban areas north of Denver that make up the 8th congressional district.[1][21]

Her legislative focus on marijuana potency regulation as a state legislator contributed to ongoing policy discussions in Colorado about the public health implications of the state's legal cannabis industry, particularly regarding youth access and the effects of high-THC products.[11][13][14] As a pediatrician, Caraveo brought a medical practitioner's perspective to these policy debates that was distinct from the approaches of many of her legislative colleagues.

Caraveo's openness about her mental health challenges following her withdrawal from the 2026 race added a dimension to her public legacy beyond her legislative record, as she became a prominent political figure speaking publicly about the personal toll of political campaigns and public service.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Making history: Caraveo is elected as Colorado's first Latina congresswoman".AL DÍA News.https://aldianews.com/en/politics/women-politics/congresswoman-caraveo.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Representative Yadira Caraveo".Colorado General Assembly.https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/yadira-caraveo.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Former Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo drops out of race for 8th District".Colorado Public Radio.September 12, 2025.https://www.cpr.org/2025/09/12/yadira-caraveo-drops-out-8th-congressional-district-race/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Yadira Caraveo speaks out for first time since ending campaign to reclaim congressional seat".Denver7.September 15, 2025.https://www.denver7.com/news/politics/yadira-caraveo-speaks-out-for-first-time-since-ending-campaign-to-reclaim-congressional-seat.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Colorado House District 31 candidate questionnaire".The Denver Post.October 10, 2018.https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/10/colorado-house-district-31-candidate-questionnaire/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Yadira Caraveo, MD".MedPage Today.https://www.medpagetoday.com/washington-watch/electioncoverage/96384.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Dr. Yadira Caraveo, MD".Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children.https://rockymountainhospitalforchildren.com/physicians/profile/Dr-Yadira-Caraveo-MD.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Yadira Caraveo Appointed to Anythink Board of Trustees".Anythink Libraries.https://www.anythinklibraries.org/news-item/yadira-caraveo-appointed-anythink-board-trustees.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Colorado Election Results".The New York Times.November 6, 2018.https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/11/06/us/elections/results-colorado-elections.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Suburban Women Midterms 2018".The Washington Post.2018.https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/national/suburban-women-midterms-2018/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Colorado marijuana potency: Yadira Caraveo".The Colorado Sun.February 10, 2021.https://coloradosun.com/2021/02/10/colorado-marijuana-potency-yadira-caraveo/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Colorado marijuana THC cap bill".The Denver Post.February 4, 2021.https://www.denverpost.com/2021/02/04/colorado-marijuana-thc-cap-bill-cannabis/?mc_cid=a67e8f968d&mc_eid=e75328db4e.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Concerns over teens and high-potency marijuana have no easy answers at statehouse".Colorado Public Radio.April 27, 2021.https://www.cpr.org/2021/04/27/concerns-over-teens-and-high-potency-marijuana-have-no-easy-answers-at-statehouse/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Colorado legislation to restrict teen marijuana use".Colorado Public Radio.May 14, 2021.https://www.cpr.org/2021/05/14/colorado-legislation-restrict-teen-marijuana-use-bill/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Colorado bills on race, ethnicity, business, immigration".Associated Press.https://apnews.com/article/colorado-bills-race-and-ethnicity-business-immigration-820ef7133e1f75cd06da6d2eb7399bb2.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Yadira Caraveo congressional bid".The Colorado Sun.August 24, 2021.https://coloradosun.com/2021/08/24/yadira-caraveo-congressional-bid/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Dem congressional candidate Yadira Caraveo picks up endorsements from lawmakers".Colorado Politics.https://www.coloradopolitics.com/quick-hits/dem-congressional-candidate-yadira-caraveo-picks-up-endorsements-from-lawmakers/article_7d1991b4-0a17-11ec-bedc-775db003dfce.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Dem congressional candidate Yadira Caraveo picks up endorsements from lawmakers".The Gazette.https://gazette.com/colorado_politics/dem-congressional-candidate-yadira-caraveo-picks-up-endorsements-from-lawmakers/article_8ef36e3a-2b77-5966-b119-662873524554.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Yadira Caraveo 8th Congressional District".The Colorado Sun.April 6, 2022.https://coloradosun.com/2022/04/06/yadira-caraveo-8th-congressional-district/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Yadira Caraveo - Candidate".Federal Election Commission.https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H2CO08020.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 "Yadira Caraveo wins 8th Congressional District".The Colorado Sun.November 9, 2022.https://coloradosun.com/2022/11/09/yadira-caraveo-wins-8th-congressional-district/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 "Yadira Caraveo ends bid to reclaim 8th Congressional District seat, citing resistance to her candidacy".The Colorado Sun.September 12, 2025.https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/12/yadira-caraveo-ends-8th-congressional-district-bid/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Yadira Caraveo ends bid for Colorado's 8th District".Axios.September 12, 2025.https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/12/yadira-caraveo-ends-campaign-colorado-8th-district.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Caraveo drops bid to win back Colorado's 8th District seat".Colorado Newsline.September 12, 2025.https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/caraveo-drops-bid-to-win-back-colorados-8th-district-seat/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Democrat Yadira Caraveo drops bid to retake 8th Congressional District seat".The Denver Post.September 12, 2025.https://www.denverpost.com/2025/09/12/yadira-caraveo-drops-out-congress/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Colorado Democrat Yadira Caraveo drops bid to win back 8th Congressional District seat".Colorado Politics.September 12, 2025.https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/09/12/colorado-democrat-yadira-caraveo-drops-bid-to-win-back-8th-congressional-district-seat/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Former U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo withdraws as candidate for Colorado Congressional District 8".CBS News.September 12, 2025.https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/former-u-s-rep-yadira-caraveo-withdraws-candidate-colorado-congressional-district-8/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

Retrieved from "https://biography.wiki/index.php?title=Yadira_Caraveo&oldid=1669"