It’s hats-in-the-ring week for a couple of big-name candidates for the U.S. Senate seat held by Michael Bennet.

On Tuesday, former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton kicks off her campaign for the Republican nomination to challenge Bennet. She becomes the most prominent name on a large list of GOP candidates that includes Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck, former Douglas County state Sen. Tom Wiens, Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier and two more too obscure to mention.

Bennet, then the Denver schools chief, was appointed in January by Gov. Bill Ritter after Sen. Ken Salazar joined the Obama cabinet.

The biggest name Ritter passed over in selecting Bennet was that of Andrew Romanoff, former speaker of the state House of Representatives. On Wednesday, Romanoff will begin to take his revenge by trying to wrestle the Democratic nomination away from Bennet.

Both Norton and Romanoff have scheduled Colorado Springs appearances on the opening day of their campaigns. Norton is to appear at the Antlers Hilton at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday. Romanoff’s scheduled to be at the downtown Penrose Library Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Duane A. Thornsbury died Saturday. Photo by COURTESY OF FORT CARSON