Colo. Sen Salazar Tapped as Interior Secretary

President-elect Barack Obama has tapped Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar to be his secretary of the interior, sources have told the Denver Post. Salazar is "all but certain" to be given the job this week, pending a background check, the newspaper reports. The first-term senator serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is the former director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.

Salazar seconded Obama's nomination at the Democratic Convention in August. He met with Obama's transition team last week to discuss a possible appointment. Salazar is author of legislation called the Great Outdoors Colorado Amendment which directed state lottery funds into land conservation. Obama said yesterday his cabinet pick would be key to developing America's energy independence.
(More Ken Salazar stories.)