Hi, can you clarify what you're looking for? I assume since it's for privacy you want at least 6' height? Do you care whether it flowers? Do you have other plantings that you want it to work with visually? Is the area shady or sunny? Two that come to mind are Helianthus maximiliana (6-8') and Perovskia atriplicifolia (4-5').
Sorry I can't help on the bamboo, that's a pipe dream in Denver!

I love bamboo and hope to have some one day. The bamboo forum here is top-knotch--those folks know whereof they speak. There are two types of bamboo, clumping and running. I would go with the clumping, which the growers below specialize in--and they are in Texas. You can get excellent privacy with clumping bamboo. The running type require lots of work--even with a barrier. Check these folks out. Their prices are reasonable, I think. Think shade, also, for bamboo, which surprised me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bamboo growers in TX

Over here in Phoenix oleander is the obvious choice for a plant that grows fast, thick and withstands extreme heat well.

Oleander burns bad in the winter here unless it's within an enclosed courtyard. How about:

New Mexico Olive
Apache Plume
Arizona Rosewood (slower growing but looks kind of like oleander)
Scrub Oak

All of the above are very well adapted/native to nm/sw and the first two grow fast.