Polling Average
15%10%5%0%
11%
8%
Democrat
Ken Salazar
Democrat
Ken Salazar
Colorado Democratic Governor nominee?
$36.3K
JUL 1, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer Ambassador
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age71 years old (Mar 2, 1955)
GenderMale
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BackgroundLawyer
EducationColorado College — B.A., Political Science (1977)
Notable personal detailsKenneth Lee “Ken” Salazar is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Colorado. He served as Colorado Attorney General (1999–2005), U.S. Senator from Colorado (2005–2009), and U.S. Secretary of the Interior (2009–2013). He later served as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico (2021–2025).
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgcongress.govcolorado.eduwilsoncenter.orges.wikipedia.orgde.wikipedia.orgtwitter.comcbsnews.combritannica.comebsco.comcpr.orgelpais.comaxios.comidcrawl.comcoloradopolitics.comgovinfo.govinlandempiregia.orgforeign.senate.govsenate.govontheissues.orgdiscoverthenetworks.orgpnhp.orgapnews.comwashingtonpost.comjustfacts.votesmart.org5280.comdoi.govscientificamerican.comhistory.house.govpresidency.ucsb.educaselaw.findlaw.comkids.britannica.comlcv.orgdemocrats.senate.govhickenlooper.senate.govfr.wikipedia.orgbennet.senate.govheinrich.senate.govdocs.house.govepw.senate.govcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgnga.orgclerk.house.gov
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.
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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 updatedMay 19, 2026
Ken Salazar is in the news because Denver is a finalist to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. The convention would be held in August 2028 and would choose the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential nominees. The report does not say that Salazar has taken any new action himself, only that the city tied to him is under consideration.
en.wikipedia.org+44
Polls
Colorado Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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