Meet Sally

Sally Boccella is the former Colorado State Senate Democratic Nominee for District 23, she will continue her commitment to service, support public policy that lifts up all people, and nurture relationships that foster inclusive and diverse partnerships like she has done throughout her professional career.  She is a community organizer, coalition builder, mom to two amazing young people and two rescue dogs, and wife to a supportive husband.

Sally is a proven community leader, who understands that we must protect our Colorado way of life. Sally knows that community voices are the key to success in policy, which is why she’s committed to listening, and being accessible to all people. As a constituent advocate, Sally has supported important policy for mental health resources, equitable education, economic opportunities, and environmental conservation at the federal, state, and local levels by establishing relationships with elected representatives, policy directors, community leaders, businesses, non-profits, and schools.  Sally is endorsed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Colorado First Gentleman Marlon Reis, Congressman Joe Neguse, Congressman Jason Crow, Attorney General Phil Weiser, State Treasurer Dave Young, Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, Senator Jessie Danielson, Senator Robert Rodriguez, Senator Dominick Moreno, Senator Julie Gonzales, Senator Jeff Bridges, Senator Rachel Zenzinger, Senator Faith Winter, Senator Mike Foote, Senator Joann Ginal, Senator Brittany Pettersen, House Assistant Majority Leader Chris Kennedy, House Speaker Pro Tempore Janet Buckner, Representative Leslie Herod, Representative Jeni James Arndt, Representative Mary Young, Representative Cathy Kipp, Representative Dylan Roberts, Representative Matt Gray, and many other community leaders, because they have worked with Sally in the past and know she is somebody who can forge alliances and accomplish results. Sally will collaborate with others to find solutions that benefit all Coloradans. 

Sally and her family's story are the embodiment of the American Dream. As the daughter of an Italian immigrant, U.S. Navy veteran and Purple Heart recipient, she is a first generation American citizen and a first generation college graduate. Even though her parents were born on farms in Italy and New Jersey, they both believed in the ideal of the American Dream. Sally’s family heritage and work ethic instilled in her the principle- opportunity for all- through their courage to pursue the American Dream by coming to America for a better life. Their experience inspired Sally to be an active participant in our democracy, to be of service to others, and to increase opportunities for all people. 

When Sally was six years old, her parents divorced. It was incredibly challenging on them raising a young family and running a successful diner that was open seven days a week with no child care assistance. "We need to support our families with access to affordable childcare so working families can continue to expand their opportunities and provide a safe environment for their children."  Sally and her younger brother were raised by a single mother who worked several jobs at times with no health care or affordable housing. "It is important to me that workers are protected and are able to collectively bargain." She knows that union and apprenticeship workers create quality in the market. "My mother was a union member for 25 years." It changed our lives and lifted my mother's ability to provide for her family. Sally's story gives her a unique perspective on hope, expanding opportunities, community and service.

Sally understands commitment to service is at the heart of an authentic representative. Some of her volunteer work has been with the League of Women Voters, the Endangered Species Coalition, Weld County Food Bank “Backpack Program” and mobile food pantry. She co-wrote a 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant that was awarded to a Greeley-Evans District 6 Elementary school for a STEM after-school program and has volunteered in the classroom helping students in reading and math. Currently, she serves on four Weld RE-5J School District committees and delivers food commodities to seniors for Weld Food Bank.

Sally is a first generation college graduate from University of Colorado Boulder earning a Bachelor of Arts in Distributed Studies with an academic focus on political science and philosophy. She also served as an Associate Justice on the University of Colorado Boulder Student Government (CUSG) Judicial Branch. She had the amazing opportunity to intern with a national non-profit organization where she worked on policy development and grassroots advocacy. Sally will be a champion for educational opportunities for all students regardless of background and socioeconomic status. While running for Colorado Senate, she is working as a substitute teacher for the Weld-Re5j school district.

She was the Colorado Area Marketing Manager for Borders Group, Inc. where she was able to develop a national concert series for local unsigned bands, promote bestselling authors and recording artists, and create a place for community through innovative partnerships.

Sally has worked in radio for two media broadcasting companies in Philadelphia and Denver, and film production where her feature film credits include: 12 Monkeys (Universal Pictures) and Hackers (Paramount Pictures).

Throughout her professional experience and her community service advocacy, relationships have been at the heart of opportunities to build partnerships.