Being raised in a community where your history connects to every part of your present, it is difficult to find the courage to leave. It is similarly difficult to forge a path and stay. Questa del Rio News is committed to highlighting different members of our community, both those who have created their paths and planted their own roots in the community that raised them, and those who have pursued lives outside of the community – through our Representando series. This series is dedicated to those who are Representando communities in northern Taos County, in various facets of life.

For our September issue, we interviewed Amalia native Larry Salazar. Salazar graduated from Questa High School in 2008. Upon graduation, he immediately moved to Albuquerque, where he began his college career at the University of New Mexico. “I was in the bridge program, which is aimed at helping students from small rural communities adapt to college life and city life,” he says.

While in college, Salazar honed in on his natural-born leadership skills, serving as a resident advisor, where he helped students adapt to college life, classes, and dorm life. While working on his undergraduate degree, he was also a tutor for ENLACE, a statewide collaborative organizaation of “gente” who represent the voices of underrepresented children and families

“When I moved to Albuquerque and left Amalia, I really had to question if it was the right move for me. It didn’t feel right, everything was foreign. The bridge program and other support systems on campus really helped me find my way, so it was natural to turn around and give back so other students had the same experience,” he says.

Salazar says a big part of his college experience was being a part of the Omega Delta Phi fraternity, where he held important roles in recruitment, community service, and social engagement. He also served as vice president and president for the organization.

Salazar graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Planning and Design. He entered the workforce in 2013 with the Convention Services of the Southwest as a designer.

In 2015, he moved to Pueblo, Colorado to work for Clerk Land Surveying. He held this position until 2019. “I worked on national security projects, but unfortunately due to [their] sensitive nature, I can’t disclose the projects.”

In 2019, Salazar moved on to work for Kilan Horne and Associates in Pueblo, a position he still holds to this day. “I work primarily in the El Paso County and Pueblo County regions. My job ranges from working on developments from half an acre to 680 acres.”

In 2022, Salazar worked to gain his graduate certification for principles and practice of new urbanism at the University of Miami School of Architecture. He also became an accredited member of the Congress for New Urbanism that same year.

Currently, he says he is working on a 10-year project, expected to develop nearly 700 acres of land in the El Paso County region. “The development will bring over 2,000 residences and will be a mixed-use community, with both industrial and walkable lifestyles. There will be apartments, duplexes, and single family properties. I can’t disclose the location of this community but you’ll know in about seven years,” he says with a laugh.

Salazar says he enjoys his job and loves to see things which start as an idea, then turn into a full-blown project. “I love seeing long-range plans come to fruition. Not many people can say they see that happen in their work. I am grateful I can.”

Currently, Salazar lives two-and-a-half hours from Amalia and visits at least once a month. “I love coming home because it’s my chance to step away from the city, take a deep breath and ground myself. I still buck bails and help my dad with ranching duties,” he says. “It’s also so comforting to see all the love and support I get from people in my home community. They’re always ready to cheer me on and tell me they’re proud of me—that’s a real gift.”