GOP's Beauprez will not seek Senate seat

WASHINGTON, March 11 (UPI) -- Colorado 7th Congressional District Republican Rep. Bob Beauprez said Thursday he will not be a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Beauprez, who was first elected to the House in 2002, became the focus of considerable attention after Colorado Gov. Bill Owens suggested him as a candidate after taking himself out of the race.

The Republican field of potential replacements for retiring Republican Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell is wide open.

Already in the race is former Rep. Bob Schaffer, who announced the support of a dozen of his former colleagues in the U.S. House Thursday. Also in the mix are retiring 3rd Congressional District GOP'er Scott McInnis, 6th Congressional District Rep. Tom Tancredo and state Treasurer Mike Coffman.

The Democrats appear unified behind state Attorney General Ken Salazar.