Sources: Bennet getting Salazar's seat

DENVER, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Unidentified sources said Friday that Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet will take over for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo.

Sources close to the senatorial seat process said the selection of Bennet to take over Salazar's U.S. Senate seat should be confirmed on Saturday by Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, The Denver Post said.

Salazar has been tabbed by the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama to serve as U.S. interior secretary.

The sources said Ritter met with Bennet on New Year's Day to solidify his pick of the school official over fellow front-runner, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

A spokesman for Ritter would not confirm the governor had tabbed Bennet to serve as the next U.S. senator for Colorado, the Post reported.

"This office is not saying anything at this time," spokesman Evan Dreyer said.