About me
Tonette Salazar has more than 25 years of experience in Colorado’s legislative and political
arenas. A seasoned lobbyist, she has successfully advanced policies in education, housing,
workforce development, immigration, consumer protection, tax policy, and the state budget.
Known for her strategic approach, Tonette combines policy expertise, coalition building, and
bipartisan collaboration to deliver results on complex issues.
She began her career with the Colorado General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Legal Services,
where she developed strong legal research and policy drafting skills and worked on the
implementation of TABOR and other tax policies. Tonette has represented a broad range of
education clients—from school districts and community colleges to workforce and career
education organizations, including Colorado ACTE — and has extensive experience with
housing, labor, and employment issues.
Tonette also led state relations at the Education Commission of the States, where she
developed engagement strategies across all 50 states and advised domestic and international
clients on state political engagement and U.S. market strategies.
A native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Tonette holds a B.A. in English and Political Science from
the University of Denver and a J.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She is active in
community leadership, mentoring through the Latino Leadership Institute and serving on the
Mile High United Way Board of Trustees.
