Elsa Martinez Tenreiro was born and raised in Argentina. She graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Denver while working part time for the firm of Pepe J. Mendez & Associates, P.C. as a clerk and interpreter since 1985. She attended University of Colorado School of Law, graduating early. She was admitted to the Bar in 1990.

She has been a member of many associations. She is an advocate for pro bono efforts in the legal community, an advocate for access to justice and children’s education. She has volunteered for Law Line 9, Metro Volunteer Lawyer and other organizations, including Denver Public Schools.

She has lectured as Faculty for CLE of Colorado Programs on Worker’s Compensation law as well as for other professional organizations on the Constitution, worker’s compensation and ethics. She practiced worker’s compensation and social security law with the firm of Pepe J. Mendez and Associates, P.C. from 1990 to 2010. As of January 2011 she started her own firm with partners Abel Alvarado and Michelle LaForett. She continues to handle workers’ compensation cases.