Gov. Bill Ritter can sum up in one word the lobbying effort under way as he prepares to name a new U.S. senator.

"Intense," the Denver Democrat said Thursday.

Scores of interest groups and dozens of ordinary Coloradans are weighing in on who should replace U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, of Denver, who was tapped by President-elect Barack Obama for Interior secretary.

The receptionists in the governor's office have fielded dozens of calls from Coloradans suggesting their favorite Democrats. And Ritter is soliciting input for the next several days.

Ritter's office issued a statement Thursday saying he was going to "move quickly, deliberately and thoughtfully" to select a replacement.

The question, of course, is whom he'll choose, and there's no shortage of opinions.

Zee Ferrufino, owner of Latino Communications, wants former Denver Mayor Federico Pena or Salazar's brother, U.S. Rep. John Salazar, of the San Luis Valley.

"In Illinois, there is talk of appointing an African-American to replace Barack Obama. In New York, there's talking of appointing a woman, Caroline Kennedy, to replace Hillary Clinton," Ferrufino said. "In Colorado, a Latino should be replaced by another Latino."

Ritter is also in the process of appointing a secretary of state from three finalists, all white men, which some political consultants said might influence his decision in considering minority and female Senate contenders.

Also weighing in: labor. The AFL-CIO raised eyebrows by asking potential contenders to come in for informal talks to their group.

"It's not their call," said political consultant Steve Welchert. "It's the governor's call."

And an influential business group, the Aurora Economic Development Council, wrote a letter to Ritter gushing about U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, of Golden, on several fronts, from transportation to defense. Perlmutter is a first-term congressman from the 7th District.

"The 100-member board of directors, which represents the region's most influential companies, would like for you to take note of Congressman Perlmutter's wealth of experience, his long-term relationships with the business community and political leadership in the state and across the country," President and CEO Wendy Mitchell wrote.

Salazar's 2004 primary rival, educator Mike Miles, also is interested in the seat.

Ritter's choice must run in 2010 in a race Republicans had all but conceded to Salazar but now is expected to be the most closely watched battle in the nation.

Ritter said the newly appointed senator will face a brutal workload in Washington, D.C., as Obama tries to jump-start the economy. The senator also must be visible in Colorado when at home, while at the same time attempting to raise $15 million or so for the 2010 race.

Ritter could appoint himself but said he's not interested.

"I've got a job that I really love," he said.

The early returns

A poll conducted Tuesday by Public Opinion Polling shows Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper is the leading Democrat to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar.

* Hickenlooper received 23 percent of the vote, followed by U.S. Rep. John Salazar, of Manassa, 15 percent; House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, of Denver, 12 percent; and former Denver Mayor Federico Pena, 11 percent. Also receiving votes were U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, of Denver, who got 8 percent; U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, of Golden, with 6 percent; and State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, who got 2 percent.

* The poll is potentially good news for several Denver Democrats who say they are likely to run for mayor in the May election if Hickenlooper gets the Senate job.

* Hickenlooper, for his part, has spoken about the Senate post only in generic terms, saying he is focused on running the city and not on speculation. But his supporters have let Gov. Bill Ritter and his staff know how they feel.

* Most political experts believe Ritter must look at experience, electability and the fallout factor when making the decision.

Got an opinion?

* Gov. Bill Ritter has invited the public to offers its views on potential U.S. Senate candidates. E-mail him at ussenate.comments@ state.co.us.

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