U.S. Ambassador to Mexico (2021-2025)

As ambassador to Mexico, Ken led the U.S diplomatic mission during a pivotal time for North American relations. He advocated for and worked to strengthen cross-border collaboration on issues including trade, border security, energy, and migration, and emphasized the shared history and culture of the United States and Mexico.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior (2009-2013)

As the nation’s 50th secretary of the Interior under President Barack Obama, Ken championed efforts to correct historic federal fiscal and economic injustices in Indian Country, and implemented new, respect-based, federal commitments to and relationships with First Americans.

Ken helped craft the nation’s “all-of-the-above” energy strategy; developed and approved the first-ever federal wind and solar energy projects and action plans; implemented comprehensive public lands and waters oil and gas safety, management and development reforms to promote smarter development, while approving millions of acres for oil and gas operations; and established Interior’s first-ever coordinated, science-based strategy to analyze and address current and future impacts of climate change.

Ken oversaw the creation of ten national parks, ten wildlife refuges, numerous national heritage areas, and a 21st century America’s Great Outdoors conservation agenda in all 50 states. He initiated efforts and partnerships to create and revitalize the next generation of great urban parks; led innovative, collaborative new approaches with private landowners to preserve priceless regional landscapes across the United States; and directed new initiatives to ensure a more inclusive and complete preservation and education of our nation’s history.

U.S. Senator (2005-2009)

As Colorado’s 35th U.S. senator, Ken was a key architect of the 2005 Energy Policy Act, the 2006 Gulf of Mexico Security Act, and the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act—landmark legislation that reshaped America’s energy future. He promoted laws and policies strengthening the homeland, national security, and military readiness, and efforts to end the Iraq war. He helped craft Senate-passed comprehensive immigration reforms and border security measures, led successful efforts to ensure continued land and water conservation funding, and successfully fought for improvements to rural veterans’ health care and access to children’s health insurance.

Colorado Attorney General (1999-2005)

Twice elected state attorney general and the first Mexican American to be elected to statewide office in Colorado, Ken led efforts to make Colorado’s communities safer, to increase funding and standards for law enforcement training, to address school safety and youth crime, to enhance and enforce Colorado’s consumer and elder protection laws, and to protect the state’s environment. Ken created first-ever special units to prosecute environmental polluters, gangs, and fugitive murderers.

Governor’s Office and Cabinet (1987-1994)

Ken served as chief legal counsel to Governor Roy Romer and then as executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. He helped craft Colorado’s state finance law to provide a fairer system of funding for Colorado’s less wealthy school districts and the nationally recognized Great Outdoors (GOCO) conservation program protecting Colorado’s rivers, open spaces, wildlife, and ranch lands, and providing outdoor recreational opportunities for Coloradans from all walks of life. He established a program giving thousands of Colorado youth an opportunity to work in and learn about the state’s natural resources; crafted mining and oil gas operations reforms to provide greater protection for the public and the environment; and led fights against proposed water grabs from the San Luis Valley, the Arkansas River basin, and the Western Slope that would have ruined vast areas of rural Colorado.

Early Career (1981-1987)

After earning his law degree in 1981, Ken returned to Colorado, working as a water and environmental lawyer with some of the top firms in the West, and became a leader in civil rights and education reform.

Ken Salazar's Awards and Honors >>