For nearly 20 years, Coloradans have benefited from the public service of Ed Perlmutter, so his announcement this week that he would not only step down from his fledgling gubernatorial run, but also exit Washington when his congressional term expires, comes as sad news indeed.

We hate to see Perlmutter go. From his time in the state legislature to his five terms in Congress, he’s been a true public servant. As one of the hardest-working members of Congress, he’s also been one of the most congenial and collegiate. The United States needs more statesmen, and, while a reliable Democrat, Perlmutter has sought to fill that role.

Yes, he’s been more of a champion of unions than we would have liked, but his professional background as an attorney also gave him useful insights in what makes the private sector tick. His work supporting the scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden and veterans at the still-under-construction VA hospital in Aurora has been exemplary.

Read the full story at The Denver Post.