DJ Torres has quit the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. He sent his resignation to the board by email on Thursday morning, and it took effect right away, according to the Denver Gazette and CBS News. Torres said he left because of fighting among board members. "Too much of my time and energy have been consumed by internal conflict," he said in a statement to Chalkbeat.
Torres stepped down just hours before a board meeting on Thursday afternoon. Chalkbeat reported that the board was set to discuss a list of policy violations for a third time at that meeting. The board might also act on them. Board President Xóchitl Gaytán had recently accused Torres and Vice President Monica Hunter of those violations. A district spokesperson confirmed the resignation. The spokesperson said Gaytán would address it at the afternoon meeting, Chalkbeat reported.
Chalkbeat reported that Torres was elected in November 2025 to represent central-east Denver's District 3. He is a former DPS teacher, and his son is a DPS student.
Chalkbeat listed what the board accused Torres of doing. It said he missed several meetings. It said he skipped a board conference after the district paid his costs. It said he would not speak with Gaytán by phone. And it said he gave a "possible unauthorized directive" to Superintendent Alex Marrero to recognize a labor union of DPS workers.
Torres pushed back on the claims, Chalkbeat reported. He said board policy "does not require perfect attendance." He said he told Marrero to follow district policy, not to break any rules. He said he missed the conference because his childcare fell through, and he paid the district back for everything but the conference fee. He said he avoided phone calls with Gaytán so their talks would stay in writing.
Chalkbeat reported that the board ordered an investigation last month into its most serious claim. That claim is that Hunter used antisemitic language, which she denies. The board did not open an investigation into any of the claims against Torres.
Torres also said the conflict hurt his mental health. He told Chalkbeat that his family and his own well-being came first.
The board has a long history of conflict. Chalkbeat reported that Torres was one of the members who wanted to meet over the summer about Marrero's job. The superintendent had applied for another job and said the board was overstepping its authority. That meeting did not happen. CBS News reported that the board has seven members who serve four-year terms, and two of the seats are elected at-large. The fight comes as the district asks voters to approve a $44 million mill levy, CBS News reported.
Now the seat must be filled. CBS News, citing the Colorado Association of School Boards, reported that the board must first pass a resolution that declares the office vacant. After that, the board has 60 days to appoint someone to fill it. If the board does not appoint anyone within those 60 days, the board president must make the appointment.