Despite significant progress to better living conditions in colonias over the last four decades, these settlements are still defined by their worst moments. While the public’s attention on colonias has largely centered on squalor and societal neglect, Francisco Guajardo says there’s more to the story.Despite significant progress to better living conditions in colonias over the last four decades, these settlements are still defined by their worst moments. While the public’s attention on colonias has largely centered on squalor and societal neglect, Francisco Guajardo says there’s more to the story.