Betty Ann Salazar

Betty Ann Salazar, née Chacon, born on August 14, 1940, in Gilman, Colorado, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2026, in Denver, surrounded by her beloved family. Her journey through life was marked by unwavering strength, passionate leadership, and a heartfelt commitment to community.

From an early age, Betty showed the resilience and determination that would define her life. She attended Crofton Elementary in Denver and graduated from Arvada High School in 1958. In 1961, she married Francisco Salazar, with whom she joyfully shared 31 years of marriage and raised two daughters, Brenda Vasquez (Gilbert) and Frances Jimenez (John).

Her career began in 1963 when she joined the Denver Commission on Community Relations. A year later, she played a vital role in developing a proposal to create the Latin American Research and Service Agency (LARASA), an organization dedicated to serving the Hispanic community. Betty’s dedication to social causes flourished further when she became the Executive Director of LARASA, demonstrating her steadfast commitment to equality and human rights.

A fierce advocate for women’s and equal rights, she worked alongside noted Civil Rights leaders, consistently inspiring those around her to become their best selves. Her leadership, courage, and heartfelt encouragement touched many, making her a pillar of hope and change within her community.

Beyond her activism, Betty’s love for life was evident in her vibrant personality and varied interests. She enjoyed watching sports, especially golf, and was an avid fan of game shows like Jeopardy. Jazz music brought her joy, and she kept her mind sharp by reading the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News every Sunday, and doing the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Betty’s proudest accomplishments were deeply personal—her daughters and the remarkable women they became, and her profound dedication to her grandchildren. A nurturing presence, she often babysat her five grandchildren together, nurturing their interests in golf, politics, and their cultural heritage. Her legacy lives on in each of them, a testament to the love and guidance she so generously shared.

Though her husband Francisco Salazar, her parents, and her sister Audrey Apodaca have preceded her in death, Betty’s spirit lives on through her surviving family: daughters Brenda and Frances; grandchildren Chad Jimenez (Jeanne Doyle), Paige Fuld (Richie), Paloma Jimenez (Oscar Consuelo Perez), Marisol Vasquez (Wade Morris), Luis Vasquez; great-grandchildren Ronin, Luna, Apollo Jimenez, and Jackson Fuld; siblings Darlene Ortiz, Beverly Griego, Zeke and Val Chacon; and brother-in-law Herman Apodaca.

The community will have the chance to honor and remember Betty Ann Salazar at Newcomer Funeral Home, West Metro, located at 901 S Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80226. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. The final interment will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 3645 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80235, at 1:00 p.m.

Betty’s life was one of courage, love, and dedication—to her family, her community, and the causes she held dear. She leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire those who knew her and the generations to come. Her steadfast spirit reminds us all of the power of compassion and the enduring impact of a life lived with purpose and heart.