CPLC was founded in 1969 when young Chicano men and women, hoping to improve the quality of life for Arizona's Mexican American population. Inspired by Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, CPLC advocated for equity in education, politics, and labor conditions. Requested from the parish council of the Historic Sacred Heart Church to utilize Santa Rita Hall for community engagement efforts; the parish council granted them the request at the insistence of parish council member Abraham F. Arvizu, who was subsequently elected to CPLC's Board of Directors.
In 1969, CPLC was founded by a group of young Chicano people aiming to improve the lives of Arizona's Mexican Americans. Building on the examples of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, CPLC fought for equal opportunities in education, politics, and labor. The parish council of the Historic Sacred Heart Church allowed CPLC to use Santa Rita Hall for community events after Abraham F. Arvizu, a parish council member, pushed for it, and he later became a member of CPLC's Board of Directors.