Discovery Insights Elections Candidates Calendar Watchlist

Democrat

Ken Salazar

Democrat

Ken Salazar

Colorado Democratic Governor nominee?

$686.4K

JUL 1, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

Overview

Current roleFormer U.S. Senator

PartyDemocratic

Political ideologyModerate Democrat

Age71 years old (Mar 2, 1955)

GenderMale

BackgroundAttorney

EducationColorado College — B.A., Political Science (1977)

Notable personal detailsKenneth Lee "Ken" Salazar is an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat who served as U.S. Senator from Colorado (2005–2009), U.S. Secretary of the Interior (2009–2013), and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico (2021–2025). He previously served as Colorado Attorney General (1999–2005) and in senior roles in Colorado state government, including chief legal counsel to Governor Roy Romer and executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. He earned a B.A. in political science from Colorado College and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

SourcesShow

history.house.gov en.wikipedia.org fec.gov doi.gov wikidata.org legilist.com commons.wikimedia.org es.wikipedia.org cbsnews.com foreign.senate.gov govinfo.gov cpr.org bsee.gov query-scholarly.wikidata.org eluniversal.com.mx wikidataexplorer.com biographies.net de.wikipedia.org unotv.com wikizero.org senate.gov ontheissues.org discoverthenetworks.org pnhp.org coloradopolitics.com congress.gov apnews.com washingtonpost.com justfacts.votesmart.org 5280.com scientificamerican.com presidency.ucsb.edu caselaw.findlaw.com colorado.edu kids.britannica.com lcv.org democrats.senate.gov bridgesforcolorado.com facebook.com instagram.com denverpost.com alamosacitizen.com philforcolorado.com eciks.org rmpbs.org axios.com newsmax.com coloradosun.com predictionedge.com developer.ballotpedia.org legislation.ballotpedia.org bioguide.congress.gov cdn.ballotpedia.org votesmart.org upload.wikimedia.org voterguide.ballotpedia.org data.ballotpedia.org

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Public record shows a mix of positions on taxes: as a U.S. senator Ken Salazar supported some tax-cut measures and reforms aimed at protecting families/farms while also supporting selective taxes (for example on oil company windfall profits) and environmental/economic investments. His interest-group ratings on tax issues have been low from anti-tax organizations, indicating he is not aligned with major tax-cut advocacy groups. Overall his record does not fit cleanly into a single progressive or conservative tax stance.

Healthcare

Ken Salazar has supported comprehensive federal action to address uninsured populations and high health-care costs and has worked on expanding medical coverage for specific groups. He has sponsored bipartisan efforts to create a commission to develop broad health-care reform proposals and has listed health care among central policy priorities. His record indicates support for government-led solutions to expand access rather than calls to privatize or repeal major programs.

Immigration & Border

Supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes expanded legal pathways and addressing root causes abroad while also endorsing stronger border enforcement and cooperation with Mexico. Emphasizes bipartisan, comprehensive solutions and development in origin countries alongside enforcement measures. Has warned migrants to use legal routes and called for increased U.S.-Mexico cooperation on migration and security.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Supports legal abortion access while endorsing some limits such as parental notification with bypass procedures and bans on late-term abortions except to protect the life or health of the mother. Has said the decision should be between a woman and her beliefs and has supported funding for family planning and contraception access to reduce unintended pregnancies.

Climate & Energy

Supports substantial development of renewable energy on federal lands and transmission buildout while accepting continued, managed use of oil, gas, and coal during a transition; has urged emissions limits and promoted climate science-informed land and resource management. Advocates policies to accelerate clean energy deployment (solar, wind, geothermal) on public lands and measures like carbon capture as part of a pragmatic energy transition.

Public Safety & Guns

Supports expanded background checks for gun transfers (including at gun shows) and has backed an assault-weapons ban in past public-service roles. Has worked with state leaders on gun-safety measures following the Columbine tragedy.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedJan 24, 2026

Fundraising reports for Colorado’s 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary show U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser leading the field, with roughly $7 million and $5.1 million raised, respectively. The coverage focuses on their campaigns and grassroots messaging ahead of the June 30, 2026 primary, with no specific fundraising details mentioned for Ken Salazar.

history.house.gov+56

Articles

BDBoulder Daily Camera7 months ago