Carrigan urged to seek U.S. attorney position

University of Colorado Regent and Denver attorney Michael Carrigan said several current and former prosecutors have approached him about becoming the new U.S. attorney for Colorado.  

"It's something I'm seriously considering, and (it's) flattering to have some people mentioning my name," Carrigan told PolitickerCO.com on Tuesday afternoon.

Carrigan declined to say who talked to him about the U.S. attorney job, but he said no one has officially contacted him about the post.

The incoming Obama administration will likely replace the current U.S. attorney for Colorado, Troy Eid, on U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar's (D-Denver) recommendation.

Eid, appointed by President Bush in 2006, was former Gov. Bill Owens' (R) chief legal counsel.

A Salazar spokesman said last week that it's too early for the senator to be considering candidates for U.S. attorney.

Carrigan said he's currently engaged in "careful negotiations with the most important person, my wife," about whether he should actively seek the position.

Carrigan said he's considering U.S. attorney because he's "inspired to service" by Obama.

"I believe I would bring a diverse experience in both criminal and civil background to the position," he said.

Carrigan, a former Denver deputy district attorney for five years under then-D.A. Bill Ritter, currently focuses on federal regulatory and civil litigation for the Denver-based law firm of Holland & Hart.

Other names mentioned for the position include Adams County District Attorney Don Quick, Gov. Bill Ritter's deputy chief of staff Stephanie Villafuerte, 2004 Denver district attorney candidate John Walsh, and Willie Shepherd of the Denver-based law firm Kamlet Shepherd & Reichert.