About Us

My name is Amsalu Kassaw, and I am a former Aurora City Council Member, passionate advocate, experienced leader, proud U.S. citizen, and Colorado resident for more than 20 years. My journey reflects the spirit of the American Dream, a story of perseverance, resilience, gratitude, and a deep commitment to giving back to the nation that gave me opportunity and hope.

I was born in Ethiopia into a Christian family. At the age of 26, I was forced to flee my country under a brutal government regime. I left behind everything I knew with no resources, carrying only determination and hope that America would offer the freedom and opportunity I was searching for.

In 2006, I arrived in the United States as a refugee seeking asylum. I worked hard, respected the law, and followed every step of the immigration process to become a proud American citizen. The journey was not easy. Like many hard working middle-class Americans, I took on whatever jobs I could to provide for my family from customer service and private security to loss prevention and for ICE detention officer and Lieutenant Position work within the criminal justice system for nearly a decade.

But my journey did not stop with building a life for myself. I became deeply committed to serving the community and helping others succeed. Through grassroots civic engagement, I worked to connect elected officials with the public so community voices could be heard. I became a community leader within the African and Ethiopian communities, helping individuals and families find the stability, confidence, and independence they needed to thrive in America.

I also encouraged civic participation and involvement in the American democratic process so immigrant communities and second-generation young Americans could have a voice in shaping the future of this country. Along the way, I was honored to receive several community awards, including recognition for volunteerism, bringing people together, and serving as a model citizen in the City of Aurora.

It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to help others pursue their own American Dream. That journey eventually led me to public service as an elected official in one of the most diverse cities in America for Aurora, Colorado, a city of more than half a million residents that I proudly call home.

As an Aurora City Council Member At-Large, I served with pride, dignity, and a commitment to all residents. I had the honor of serving as Chair of the Housing, Neighborhood Services, and Redevelopment Committee, Vice Chair of Transportation, Airport, and Public Works, and as a member of the Public Safety, Courts, and Civil Service Committee.

Today, I remain committed to giving back to the country that gave my family so much. America gave me opportunity, freedom, and a future. Now, I want to continue serving and ensuring that every resident of Colorado’s 6th Congressional District has the opportunity to achieve their own American Dream.