Arizona – from its major urban cities of Phoenix and Tucson to more rural towns like Yuma to San Luis – depends on the Colorado River, which supplies nearly 40 percent of the water used in the state. However, the river is shared with six other states, plus the nation of Mexico, and is over allocated as we use more water than what is stored in Lake Mead. Prolonged drought and changes in climate have reduced supplies even further. Arizona is growing and changing as Latinos become an increasingly larger portion of the population. Engaging this population on water-smart solutions is critical for the state’s future.

Recent immigrants encounter many challenges as they seek to integrate into American society and make a better life for themselves and their families. Today's economic downturn has stalled the rapid rise of Hispanics in the workforce, however, according to a report by the Population Labor Bureau, by 2050, the Hispanic population is projected to reach 24 percent of U.S. the labor force.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF), Roberto Salazar, provided the keynote address for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Salazar’s remarks focused on the seismic demographic shift occurring in the U.S. and the diversity that exists within the U.S. Hispanic community.

HAF and HRB launch program to educate Spanish-speaking taxpayers Hispanic Access Foundation has announced it has partnered with H&R Block, the world's largest tax services provider, to educate Spanish-speaking taxpayers about tax issues affecting where they live, work and play. HAF and H&R Block will work with leaders in select communities to discuss tax topics, promote regular informational seminars called Tax Talks and participate in community events.

 Denver-based nonprofit Environmental Learning for Kids and Washington, D.C.-based Hispanic Access Foundation have launched an education and outreach campaign that has introduced Denver-area Latino youth to the great outdoors, and empowered them to call on President Obama to protect it.

The Hispanic Access Foundation has announced it will continue its partnership with H&R Block, the world’s largest tax services provider, to launch the next phase of its campaign “Prepárate Para Un Futuro Mejor” (Prepare Yourself for a Better Future) to educate Spanish-speaking taxpayers about tax issues affecting where they live, work and congregate. The outreach efforts, set to kick off this summer, will be targeting cities around the nation.

Our country’s steadfast efforts to protect the environment this year finally paid off last Saturday when Congress granted $322.9 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to protect lands and jobs in 2012. This is a $20 million increase from last year’s budget and reflects the widespread support for the fund. In 2011, Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) worked with Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) and other organizations to push for more funding for LWCF. HAF learned that 95 percent of Latinos supported full funding for LWCF and that 9 in 10 Americans wanted Congress to stop siphoning funds for the program.

Spanish-speaking taxpayers can face barriers of language, fraud and misinformation WASHINGTON – When it comes to taxes, many Hispanics face an uphill battle wrought with barriers such as language, fraud and misinformation. To help address Spanish-speaking taxpayers’ needs for trustful and credible help, the Hispanic Access Foundation has launched an eight-city outreach and educational campaign in partnership with H&R Block, the world’s largest tax services provider.

Hispanics are passionate about their public parks and open spaces. Parks are often the center of family life and activities, used as social settings for picnics and get-togethers with family and friends. As such, their protection ranks high on Hispanics' priority list. So, it's of little surprise to me when I see the results of polls, like the recent 2012 Colorado College Western States Survey, which shows that the protection of parks, clean air and water is a top issue for Latinos.

Some people were surprised by the pro-conservation findings of a recent Sierra Club-National Council of La Raza national poll of Latino voters. I wasn't, and you wouldn't be either if you saw the thrilled faces of the young people the Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) and Denver-based Environmental Learning for Kids(ELK) took rafting in Colorado this summer. One trip down Class III rapids in Browns Canyon, and now these kids are vocal champions for the outdoors.