Salazar said to be next interior secretary

DENVER, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- President-elect Barack Obama has selected Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., to head up the U.S. Interior Department, The Denver Post reported Monday.

The Post reported Democratic sources who asked they not be named said Salazar has agreed to accept the Cabinet post once he clears vetting.

Salazar's office declined comment.

Salazar's selection would trigger a scramble to fill his seat in the U.S. Senate. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, also a Democrat, would have the responsibility of naming his successor, with Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper; U.S. Reps. John Salazar, Ed Perlmutter and Diana DeGette; Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet; outgoing state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff; and former U.S. Attorney Tom Strickland expected to be on the list of candidates, the Post said.

Salazar is a former director of his state's Department of Natural Resources and serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.