How do I get zlib installed on a python2.7 alt install?

Installed python 2.7.7 on SLES from source to /opt/python2.7. It's already an installed module on 2.6. How do I get zlib installed on python2.7 as well?? -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list

Installing modules on different versions of python??

Running SLES 12.3 and trying to install zlib for python2.7.7. I need zlib to install setup-tools to instal virtualenv. It's driving me crazy. Is there some basics to follow when installing modules from source to specific versions of python?? Everything wants to install the python2.6. Thanks