In the Rockies today, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn from consideration to be the nation's next secretary of commerce.

Richardson said an ongoing federal investigation in New Mexico into a California company's contract with the state and political contributions made to Richardson could delay the nomination process at a time when urgent action is needed.

Richardson also emphasized that he believed the investigation would prove his administration acted legally.

And in Colorado, Gov. Bill Ritter named Denver superintendent of schools Michael Bennet to succeed Sen. Ken Salazar when Salazar leaves to head up the Interior Department.

Read "A Look Ahead," about the conference and register now.

Rockies today

Richardson withdraws from Commerce pursuit
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his name from consideration to be President-elect Barack Obama's commerce secretary in light of a federal investigation into contracts awarded by the state of New Mexico to CDR Financial Products Inc., a California-based company whose president is a major donor to the Democratic Party, including to Gov. Richardson's political action committees. You may have to view an ad to read this article.
Albuquerque Journal; Jan. 5
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• N.M. contracts, political contributions stewed up probe
  The Albuquerque Journal first reported in August that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was investigating CDR Financial Products LLC's involvement in New Mexico's $1.6 billion GRIP transportation bond issue, an investigation that ultimately derailed Gov. Bill Richardson's nomination as the Commerce Secretary in the Obama administration. You may have to view an ad to read this article.
  Albuquerque Journal; Jan. 5
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• Read Richardson's, Obama's statements
  
  Santa Fe New Mexican; Jan. 5
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• USFWS reports another bad year for wolf program in N.M.
  Efforts to reintroduce the Mexican gray wolf into New Mexico and Arizona have been ongoing for 11 years with limited success, and 2008 is shaping up to be another disastrous year, with seven wolf deaths under investigation. You may have to view an ad to read this article.
  Albuquerque Journal; Jan. 4
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