Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar put some of his final hours as a senator to use Thursday, joining with a strong majority to approve a far-reaching public lands package that includes authorization for constructing the Arkansas Valley Conduit pipeline. The 73-21 vote came after Salazar testified at his confirmation hearing to head the Interior Department in the new administration of President-elect Barack Obama. New Colorado Sen. Mark Udall, also a Democrat, also voted for the measure.

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