Ritter promises quick decision on Salazar seat

In a statement released this morning, Gov. Bill Ritter promised a quick pick to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, though he did not set a specific timeline.

"In the coming days, I will work thoughtfully, deliberately and quickly to identify a successor," Gov. Ritter said. "With the economy in crisis and many other important issues facing the next Congress and the new Obama administration, Colorado must have the best talent at the U.S. Capitol."

Spokesman Evan Dreyer said the Senate appointment is a fundamentally different decision than the Secretary of State seat, and doesn't lend itself to committee input.

Ritter appointed a commission to narrow the field of 20 Secretary of State applicants to three.

Salazar today was appointed U.S. Secretary of the Interior at a Chicago press conference. 

Three names are at the top of the list to take his spot: Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter and outgoing state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.

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