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Borderlands

My Fight for an Inclusive America

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Informed by his life journey, former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar shares his unrivaled vantage on the U.S.-Mexico relationship, the border and migration crisis, and his belief that the diversity of our many communities and cultures is America’s superpower.

Borderlands is a clarion call for a different way forward, one that unites North America instead of divides it. It invites you to come and see the prairies, deserts, and mountains, and feel the history and culture of our peoples. Come and meet your neighbors. Come and witness the strength of American diversity for yourself.

Borderlands is a powerful reminder that the story of America cannot be told without the story of the border and the people who live there. Eva Longoria

Like many Mexican Americans, the Salazars have deep roots in the American Southwest. They have ranched and farmed along the banks of the Rio Grande for more than four centuries, dating back to the founding of the nation’s oldest capital, Santa Fe, when the entire Southwest was part of Spain or Mexico. They have called the San Luis Valley home since the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848.

Ken’s innate connection to our nation’s land, water, and people led him from his family ranch to law school and ultimately to the pinnacles of power in Colorado and Washington.

Borderlands traces the relationship of the United States and Mexico from its early days to the present. Ken recounts the early conflicts between our two countries; the treaties that created our modern and broken border; the political malpractice of both major U.S. parties where it concerns migration and the border; and the necessity to fight for an inclusive and united America.

Ken Salazar speaking at a Department of the Interior podium on the rim of the Grand Canyon

Borderlands asks

Told through personal stories from childhood to his time in Washington and Mexico City, Ken asks us to consider:

What does it mean to be a U.S. citizen?
In a nation of immigrants, who counts as an American?
If the diversity of our many communities and cultures is America’s superpower, why is it being forsaken?
How do we catalyze a movement to preserve and strengthen our democracy, one that recognizes the richness of American diversity as our nation’s enduring strength?

Ken Salazar in a suit and cowboy hat, speaking at a podium with both hands open

Ken Salazar in his hat, speaking at a bank of microphones with Barack Obama standing behind him

About Ken

A fifth generation Coloradan, Ken Salazar’s ancestors have lived in the American Southwest for over four centuries.

Ken grew up in his native San Luis Valley on the remote Salazar homestead, where his family continues to farm and ranch the same property they’ve owned since before Colorado became a state.

Ken served as United States ambassador to Mexico from 2021 to 2025, where he led the US diplomatic mission during a pivotal time for North American relations. In this role, he repeatedly urged for decisive action to address border security, migration to the United States, climate and North American economic integration. Before serving as US ambassador to Mexico, Ken served as US secretary of the Interior under President Barack Obama (2009–2013), as Colorado’s 35th US senator (2005–2009), and as Colorado state attorney general (1999–2005).

Ken devotes much of his time to family and ranching in the San Luis Valley. He continues to be a champion for conservation, civil rights, and an inclusive America.

Read the full record, chapter by chapter

2021–2025U.S. Ambassador to Mexico

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.

2009–2013U.S. Secretary of the Interior

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.

2005–2009U.S. Senator

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.

1999–2005Colorado Attorney General

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.

1987–1994Governor’s Office and Cabinet

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 and 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.

1981–1987Early Career

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.

Chapters of public life

1987–1994

Governor’s Office and Cabinet

Ken served as chief legal counsel to Governor Roy Romer and then as executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.

1999–2005

Colorado Attorney General

2005–2009

U.S. Senator

2009–2013

U.S. Secretary of the Interior

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.

2021–2025

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico

As ambassador to Mexico, Ken led the U.S. diplomatic mission during a pivotal time for North American relations.

Today

Author of Borderlands

Ken devotes much of his time to family and ranching in the San Luis Valley. He continues to be a champion for conservation, civil rights, and an inclusive America.

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Official portrait of Ken Salazar in a dark suit in front of an American flag

Official portrait of Ken Salazar in a dark jacket and bolo tie

Ken Salazar in his cowboy hat at a podium, pointing out to the crowd with both hands, a flag backdrop behind him

Ken Salazar pointing to a wildfire map on the wall while firefighters look on

Ken Salazar in his cowboy hat shaking hands with President Obama on an airport tarmac

Ken Salazar in his hat, looking up and smiling, with Joe Biden’s arm around his shoulder

Ken Salazar with his right hand raised, taking the oath of office as Ambassador

Ken Salazar laughing in his cowboy hat, seated on the edge of the desk in his office with an American flag behind him

Media

News & Articles.

A curated archive of news and official press releases from trusted sources, chronicling the work of Ken Salazar, including his time as U.S. Senator, Secretary of the Interior, and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.

NPR · Weekend EditionListen Diplomat Ken Salazar on his memoir, 'Borderlands: My Fight For an Inclusive America' Aug 15, 2026→ TIMEBy Ken Salazar The Cost of America's Broken Immigration System July 20, 2026→ PeopleExclusive Former U.S. Senator and Fifth-Generation Mexican American Ken Salazar Announces Borderlands Memoir June 9, 2026→ CPR NewsRead ‘Somos familia’: Ken Salazar on the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and borderlands history in Colorado Feb 3, 2026→ AxiosRead Ken Salazar reflects on his new “Borderlands” mission July 28, 2026→ The Colorado SunQ&A SunLit Interviews: Ken Salazar sees diversity representing “our unique American superpower” Aug 23, 2026→

More coverage, 2026

Follow Ken

Ken Salazar seen from behind in his cowboy hat, facing a full auditorium

Events

See Ken in person.

Coming up: Borderlands across Colorado

Oct 13Tue
DenverMetropolitan State University of DenverBook signing at 1:30pm, remarks and Q&A at 2:00pm
No RSVP needed
Oct 15Thu
Borderlands, Spanish editionThe Spanish-language edition is released.
Oct 17Sat
PuebloHistory Colorado’s El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave.Conversation and book signing, noon to 1:30pm
Event detailsRSVP requested
Oct 18Sun
AlamosaAdams State UniversityFireside chat with Adams State President David Tandberg, 5:30pm
Event detailsRSVP requested
Oct 19Mon
BoulderConscience Bay Terrace, 929 Pearl StreetBook signing and conversation, 5 to 7pm
Event detailsRSVP requested
Oct 20Tue
ArvadaArvada Center, Black Box TheatreFireside chat with former Arvada Mayor Ken Fellman, 5:30pm
Event detailsFree, RSVP requested
Oct 21Wed
GreeleyAims Community College, Miller Auditorium, 4901 W. 20th St.Conversation and book signing, 5 to 7pm
No RSVP needed

Recent stops

Oct 2
Latinas First Foundation15th Anniversary Celebration
Sept
Colorado CollegeFireside chat, Colorado Springs
Sept 16
History Colorado CenterRosenberry Lecture Series, Denver
Aug 21–22
Raizado FestivalLegacy Icon Award, Aspen

Invite Ken to speak Get event updates

Ken Salazar laughing and pointing to the audience during an on-stage conversation, a Borderlands banner beside him

Audience members raising their hands as Ken Salazar speaks

Ken Salazar with two guests at the Latinas First Foundation celebration

Endorsements

Praise for Borderlands.

From the ranch to the Senate and the president’s cabinet, Ken lived the American dream and had a career defined by hard work and selfless public service.

Borderlands offers every American insight into what our country can be at its best, and how we must overcome divisive politics to solve the hardest challenges we face together.
Senator Mark Kelly

Borderlands is a powerful reminder that the story of America cannot be told without the story of the border and the people who live there.

Ken Salazar brings dignity, truth, and a reminder that diversity is America’s superpower, to a conversation our country urgently needs. Ken Salazar has spent his life telling the truth about the border and the people who call it home. Borderlands honors the history, culture, and resilience of Mexican Americans and reminds us that our stories are essential to the story of America.
Eva Longoria

Ken Salazar’s Borderlands is both a testament to the importance of effective public service and a powerful tribute to the diversity that built America.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto

Ken Salazar has spent his life in public service with a deep understanding of the people and communities along our border.

Borderlands reminds us that beyond the challenges and politics, we must always see the dignity, strength, and hope of the people who call the border home.
Sister Norma PimentelExecutive Director, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley

Ken beautifully expresses and captures what it means to be part of America today.

By blending his own personal story with history, he brings to life a broader narrative about identity, migration, and the communities that shape this country. Borderlands is a thoughtful reminder that the story of Latino communities is not separate from the American story: it sits at the heart of it.
Luis A. MirandaPresident of 5000 Broadway Productions and chairman of the Miranda Family Fund

Borderlands is a gripping and deeply personal journey through the fault lines of identity, power, and belonging.

Ken Salazar not only brings readers inside the moments that shaped his own life as a public servant, diplomat, and son of the Southwest, but his memoir is an urgent account of some of the most complex immigration and national security challenges we face. At such a pivotal moment, Ken Salazar challenges us all to lead with both strength and principle.
Congressman Jason Crow

Borderlands is an amazing book, and Ken Salazar is one of the great storytellers needed to heal our nation’s divides.

In this memoir, he demonstrates the old adage that to tell the story you need to live the life. He describes the full sweep of his family’s Mexican American history, starting more than a century before pilgrims saw Plymouth Rock and insists on America’s diversity as our superpower. Ken describes the way forward for a New North American Alliance with Mexico and Canada. He tells many real stories in this remarkable book with the color and drama that only lived experience can provide. Borderlands is a must-read for Colorado and our nation!
Senator John Hickenlooper

Borderlands is more than an elegant, evocative recounting of Ken Salazar’s extraordinary life, his service to our nation and his fight for a country that can live up to its promise despite its history of injustice.

It is more than an homage to the majestic West, our culture, the land, and her people. He beautifully captures our landscape, the triumphs and failures of government, and the possibilities that come with those lessons. At its core, Borderlands is an urgent plea to reckon with the painful, tragic moment we are in; it is a celebration of diversity and a clarion call for unity and understanding. There’s never been a more urgent moment in our lifetime to heed Ambassador Salazar’s powerful message, his warning, his hope, and his optimism.
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar

Ken Salazar has long been revered for his devoted and distinguished public service, as a United States Senator, Secretary of the Interior, and diplomat, and for his countless contributions to our country.

His compelling retelling of the uniquely American journey that shaped his trailblazing career is deeply profound, and offers vital lessons to citizens of all ages. And his bone-deep commitment to our country’s best ideals, and the many insights that he provides on how we can recommit ourselves to achieving them, will inspire generations to come.
Congressman Joe Neguse

Ken Salazar Fifth generation Coloradan