SALT LAKE CITY?U.S. Rep. Jim Hansen, a conservative Republican who worked to keep Western lands open for mining and ranching, said Tuesday he will retire from the post he has held for 21 years.

Hansen, 69, said he will not seek re-election to the House of Representatives when his term expires at the end of the year.

Before representing the 1st Congressional District in northern Utah, the Farmington native served in the state House for eight years, the last two as House speaker. Before then, he served for a dozen years on the Farmington City Council.

“I’m getting a little up there in age and a little tired of flying,” Hansen said about his decision.