She lived a life that few outside of her then inner circle might have imagined. Born in an out-of-the way Colorado town into a family of modest means and in a time when gender and ethnicity meant fewer opportunities, Marguerite Salazar soared in a remarkably exciting way. The La Jara, Colorado, native passed away on November 1st in a Santa Fe, New Mexico hospice.
Over the course of her 69 years, Salazar’s resume grew more and more impressive with each added and amazing accomplishment. After graduating from Centauri High School in La Jara, Salazar went on to the San Luis Valley’s anchor school, Adams State University, earning both a bachelor’s and then master’s degree. While her degrees would certainly be essential in her professional life, her personal touch and personality would also add to her success.
“Marguerite was someone who could talk with anyone,” said Denver attorney and former Democratic statehouse leader, Mike Feeley. Feeley’s words reflect an almost universal sentiment among those who crossed paths with her over the course of her impressive life of public service.
Always proud of her San Luis Valley roots, Salazar spent the early part of her career as a therapist working for Alamosa’s Mental Health Center. From there and for the next quarter of a century she served as chief executive of Valley-Wide Health Systems. The organization today runs fifteen primary health care sites in several Valley counties providing dental care, physical therapy, mental health care and several other health related services to a wide range of patients, including immigrants and seasonal workers.
Salazar’s talent did not go unnoticed and in 2010, she was confirmed as President Obama’s Region VIII Administrator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Her job was to implement the President’s newly enacted health care program, popularly known as Obamacare. The position today is held by Lily Griego.
The climb continued with her next position where she served as Colorado’s Commissioner of Insurance for then Governor John Hickenlooper. In that job, she succeeded Commissioner, now Congressman Joe Neguse. She went on to serve in New Mexico Governor Michele Lujan-Grisham’s cabinet as head of the state’s Regulation and Licensing Department. She retired in 2020.
Tributes and remembrances of Salazar have mounted. They have flowed from the nation’s Capital to the town where she spent her formative years. They have been marked by salutes to her accomplishments to the simplest but thoughtful memories of the small-town girl they once knew.
“Everyone who knew her is heartbroken,” said La Jara Town Manager, Larry Zaragoza. He described her as a “bright, charming, and lovable woman,” who worked tirelessly for better health care, education and community development. While no longer a La Jara resident, Salazar visited regularly and was well known by scores of residents.
“Marguerite was a valued member of my cabinet and was dedicated to her work on behalf of New Mexicans,” said New Mexico Governor Lujan-Grisham. “Her passing is a true loss.”
“I don’t know anyone who was more committed to our community than Marguerite Salazar,” said her old boss, Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper. “She and her husband lived and breathed the wellbeing of Southern Colorado.”
“She was a kind woman,” said former Denver state Senator Lucia Guzman. Salazar, she said, “always remained part of the richness of the San Luis Valley,” adding, “the Valley weeps today.”
Salazar left a deep and lasting mark on the San Luis Valley among both its business leaders and so many others who simply knew her as a friend. When she left the Valley in 2010 to serve as Regional Director of Health and Human Services, the Colorado Community Health Center Board passed a resolution naming April 30th as “Marguerite Salazar Day.”
Salazar is survived by her husband, Arnold, two children Max and Ursula and a number of grandchildren and extended family. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church (19279 US Hwy 285, La Jara, CO 81140).
