Add Bernie Buescher to the list of potential candidates for Colorado State University chancellor.

The outgoing Democratic state representative from Grand Junction told the Denver Post on Wednesday that he has "strong initial interest" in taking over for Larry Penley, who resigned as CSU president on Nov. 5.

The chancellorship is a new position that would oversee CSU's campuses in Fort Collins and Pueblo. The job will require living in Denver and dealing with the state legislature, according to the Post.

That would seem to play to Buescher's strengths -- he was the heir apparent to become Speaker of the House before a surprise re-election loss to Republican Laura Bradford earlier this month.

But don't call Buescher "Mr. Chancellor" yet: For one thing, outgoing U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Loveland) has also been talked about -- and is interested in -- taking the chancellorship.

Also, Buescher has applied for and is considered a front-runner for the Secretary of State's position, which Gov. Bill Ritter will appoint in late December following recommendations by a seven-member panel.

But Buescher (as well as Allard, a former state legislator himself) would likely markedly improve CSU's relations with state government. Buescher told the Post he has a good working relationship with Ritter and the Joint Budget Committee - of which he was a member until his loss to Bradford.

By contrast, Penley burnt bridges with Ritter in 2007 by criticizing funding differences between CSU and the University of Colorado and has largely stayed away from the State Capitol, according to the Post.

"I don't feel like I finished all the work I had to do," Buescher told the Post. "There are a number of issues I'd like to continue working on funding, including higher education."

But, as the Post noted, it's still early: CSU board members haven't even yet decided whether to create the position of chancellor.

"A decision hasn't been made. I haven't counted votes. I don't have any candidate at this point," CSU board member Tom Farley told the Post. "But both those names (of Allard and Buescher) are excellent names."