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Now that's he's back in the United States, Gov. Bill Richardson has a wild ride ahead.

Here's a look at some of the things on his plate:

Yes, he will announce . . . something . . . sometime. But it won't be before the legislative session that starts Tuesday. Instead, it will come before the month is over, he told reporters Thursday. Richardson best hurry; the House and Senate will want some media attention, too.

Road trip to Denver. It's just 450 miles and 20 months until the big shindig for the Dems. As in, the Democratic National Convention. As in, the convention at which Richardson could be crowned as the party's nominee in the 2008 race for the White House.

"This isn't just a win for Denver and Colorado, but for the whole mountain west," Richardson said in a statement. "From Montana to New Mexico, the West is the most fertile ground for Democrats. The Denver convention in 2008 will only further these efforts."

Richardson pushed for Denver to be the host city, and for Washington Democrats to recognize the West as a key area for the party. Democrats in recent years have gained ground in western states, historically seen as a conservative area.

Denver won the bid over New York City.

In: Josh. Out: Jon.

Josh McNeil, formerly of Richardson's re-election campaign, has been hired on the governor's communications staff. Jon Goldstein, a Richardson spokesman, will continue on that gig until the legislative session ends. He'll then become the division director at the Water and Waste Management Division at the state's Environment Department. Meanwhile, a skeleton crew remains in place at the re-election campaign.

Back for now: Richardson said he's done what he can with the war in the Darfur region of Sudan.

"I'm a private citizen; I am now part of the Save Darfur Coalition. I'll do my best to stay involved, but it's now been handed off to the rightful mediators. . . . We have stepped in as private citizens, I believe, to make a difference. We've done that. Now the official channels have to take over. Of course, the Save Darfur Coalition will be following up enormously. They are involved in this issue every day," Richardson said shortly after deplaning in Albuquerque on Thursday.

"I'll do my best to stay involved but you know, you come in, you come out. I'll still be involved, but not at the level of the last four days."