Bennet-style Senate appointments could be banned

Two state Republican lawmakers want to leave U.S. Senate vacancy picks to voters, not the governor.

Senate Bill 152, which comes up in committee this afternoon, would prompt special elections when a Senator leaves office mid term, as former Sen. Ken Salazar did to become secretary of the interior.

The bill by Sens. Mike Kopp and Josh Penry would treat Senate vacancies in the same way Colorado treats Congressional vacancies. 

Gov. Bill Ritter made waves earlier this year when he appointed Denver schools chief and political novice Michael Bennet to fill the Salazar vacancies. 

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