AP sources: Denver mayor running for Colorado gov

(AP) — Democratic and Republican officials tell The Associated Press that Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper will run for governor of Colorado.

He's a Democrat and will be seeking the party nomination.

The officials disclosed Hickenlooper's plans on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to pre-empt his announcement, expected later Tuesday at the state capitol.

Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter abruptly announced last week that he would not seek another term. Hickenlooper made it known just after that that he was considering a run, and he received a telephone call from President Barack Obama encouraging him to do so.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar — a former Colorado U.S. senator — said last week he would not seek the governorship but endorsed a Hickenlooper run.

Among Republicans seeking the GOP nomination is former GOP Rep. Scott McInnis.

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Associated Press reporter Liz Sidoti contributed from Washington, D.C.