Now 24, the senior political science major and newly elected student trustee on the Metro State Board of Trustees (BOT) traces the beginning of his interest in politics to one major life event: the sudden death of his father.

It was 2003. LaBure says, he had “an abrupt introduction” to many state and federal programs and policies, including the judicial system, Social Security and victims’ assistance, because of the sudden and unexpected circumstances surrounding his father’s death.

Seeking refuge from the stress, LaBure visited his step-uncle in Washington, D.C.

“I visited Congress, met my congressman and became intrigued with the idea of people making laws that affect lives,” he says.

His step-uncle (“the only person I knew who had gone to college”) took him to see George Washington University and told him about opportunities that would be available to LaBure if he went to college to study political science and law.

“It just sparked an interest in me,” says LaBure.

After returning, LaBure signed up to work on his first congressional campaign as a high school student and has been active in Colorado politics since.

He has worked on political campaigns for congressional seats, senate races, city council elections and the 2008 presidential election, as well as voter registration drives. He was elected as a delegate to represent House District 6 at the 2010 Colorado Democratic Party State Convention and currently volunteers as an assistant to State Sen. Evie Hudak.

He completed high school and, in 2008, enrolled at Metro State, becoming the first person in his immediate family to attend college. He says that Metro State afforded him the equal opportunity to make the transition from working construction to earning a bachelor’s degree and pursuing a career in government.

Like many Metro State students, he juggles a lot of responsibilities. At Metro State alone he’s served as the Student Government Assembly’s director of administration and finance, its political affairs director and, as of this summer, student trustee.

“The Board of Trustees, as the governing body of the institution, is an integral part of student representation here at Metro State,” LaBure says. He brings to the board the perspective of a student for whom Metro State provided a remarkable opportunity. “I hope my personal struggles and triumphs will inspire other students going through challenges to never give up on their dreams of college.”

LaBure plans to stay involved in politics after graduation and to apply to law school, perhaps eventually running for office to help preserve funding for higher education and other public investments.