Ken Salazar Leaving Obama Administration

Ken Salazar is stepping down from his post as Interior secretary by the end of March, and returning to Colorado to spend time with his family, according to multiple reports. The move, first reported by the Denver Post, is expected to be officially announced later today. As recently as November, Salazar had said he intended to remain in the job "for the foreseeable future," sources close to Salazar tell Politico, but the Post says he's long been eying a move to a more-lucrative private sector gig.

There had been indications that President Obama had hoped Salazar would stick around. With EPA chief Lisa Jackson quitting, the administration must now simultaneously replace its top energy and environmental officials. Politico has more on Salazar's legacy, which was marked by his handling of the BP oil spill, and his aggressive push toward renewable energy. (More Ken Salazar stories.)