Leading Colorado Republicans and delegates to the party’s national convention applauded former President Donald Trump’s nomination of Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate Monday, with some lauding the choice of the 39-year-old author as evidence Trump is empowering a new generation of Republicans.

“Sen. JD Vance is a fantastic choice, and we are over to moon that President Donald J. Trump along with Sen. Vance are on a clear path to victory come November, especially as Joe Biden and the Democrats implode and fall apart during the final chapter of this race,” said Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams, the chairman of the state’s 37-member delegation to the Republican National Convention.

Williams told Colorado Politics that the state’s delegates had a “joyous and fun” reaction on the convention floor when Trump posted to Truth Social that Vance was his pick.

“Everyone here across all state delegations are fired up and ready to defeat Biden come November,” Williams said in a text message.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Windsor Republican, posted a photo of herself and Vance to X as soon as word of his nomination broke.

“AMERICA is going to be SO GREAT AGAIN!” Boebert tweeted, followed by an American flag emoji. Trump/Vance is the most America First ticket in presidential history. This is going to be a true great restoration of our country!”

Her colleague, U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, congratulated Vance in a text message to Colorado Politics.

“Sen Vance’s commitment to workers, farmers, and the American people is commendable,” the Colorado Springs Republican said. “Given the opportunity, I am confident he will make a fine Vice President of the United States.”

The state’s newest Republican congressman, U.S. Rep. Greg Lopez of Elizabeth, called Vance “the perfect choice” in a social media post.

“He’ll be a strong voice for the forgotten men and women of America,” said Lopez, who was sworn into Congress last week.

Republican congressional candidates welcomed the addition of Vance to the GOP ticket in social media posts and text messages.

“Enthusiasm for Donald Trump against Joe Biden grows by the day, and with JD Vance joining him on the ticket, our momentum will continue to grow,” tweeted state Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Fort Lupton, the nominee in Colorado’s toss-up 8th Congressional District.

Like other Republicans responding to Vance’s nomination, Evans pointed to the Ohio senator’s status as a Marine veteran and author of the bestselling 2016 memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.”

“As a fellow veteran of the War on Terror, and with humble beginnings as the grandson of a Mexican immigrant, I know working class Americans relate to JD Vance,” Evans added. “While the tax and regulatory policies of Joe Biden and the Democrats punish work, Vance seeks to reward work. That’s a contrast that works for Republicans every day of the week!”

Jeff Hurd, a Grand Junction attorney and the Republican nominee in the 3rd Congressional District, called Vance “a young and dynamic addition to our Republican ticket” in a text message to Colorado Politics.

“He has humble roots in rural America and knows how important it is to fight for families and communities just like those here in Colorado’s 3rd District,” Hurd said.

“I look forward to welcoming him as Vice President to see first hand how the destructive Biden/Harris Democratic policies have hurt western and southern Colorado, and am excited to have him in the White House as an advocate for rural districts like ours.”

Republican Jeff Crank, the nominee hoping to replace the retiring Lamborn in the 5th Congressional District, hailed Trump’s selection in a text message.

“Sen. Vance connects uniquely with the forgotten men and women that have rushed into our party over the last decade,” Crank said. “Sen. Vance served our nation and will connect deeply with the active duty and veteran population of El Paso County. He is a supremely effective spokesman for the America First agenda.”

Convention delegate Randy Corporon, a member of the Republican National Committee, called Vance a “bold pro-MAGA pick from a state President Trump is already likely to win.”

“I love that he didn’t feel the need to cater to the establishment or military industrial wings of the party. JD is a young rising star,” Corporon said, adding, “Also, the vice presidential debate will be epic.”

The state’s youngest delegate to the RNC, 20-year0-old Weston Imer, said he was “thrilled” that Vance was Trump’s choice.

“I think JD Vance is someone who came from nothing and is the example of the American Dream,” Imer said in a text message. “He made it to the Senate, and now will make it to the White House with President Donald J. Trump! MAGA!”

Mineral County GOP Chairman Eric Grossman, an RNC delegate and the state party’s events coordinator, joked that he had something in common with the vice presidential nominee.

“Youthful Masculinity is making a long overdue return to leadership. Important to note: Dave Williams, JD Vance, myself … the beard is back,” Grossman said in a text message. “Fight, fight, fight. JD Vance will fight to advance the principles of our founding.”

His fellow delegate, Douglas County Republican Party Chairman Steve Peck, praised Vance in a succinct text message.

“JD Vance is the Rosetta Stone of the Rust Belt,” Peck said.

State Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, was equally succinct: “Young. Marine. Smart.”

“Adds to the momentum that has been building for Trump since the first debate. Pretty good writer, too,” he added.

State House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, said in a text message that she is “proud to support the Trump-Vance ticket,” adding: “It shows the unity of our Republican Party and the willingness of President Trump to empower the next generation of young Republican leaders.”

The state’s Democrats slammed Vance, in what’s likely to be a preview of the general election campaign.

“JD Vance’s record stands against the beliefs of a majority of Americans on reproductive freedom, LGBTQIA+ rights, and slashing Social Security and Medicare,” tweeted Democratic U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Denver. “We can not trust him to make life better for everyday, hardworking families.”

The state’s Democratic Party noted that one Trump had replaced former Vice President Mike Pence on the ticket after twice appearing on ballots with the former Indiana governor as his running mate.

“Let’s not forget: The reason Trump chose a new running mate is because his previous VP didn’t overturn the 2020 election results and instead obeyed the U.S. Constitution,” the Colorado Democrats tweeted.

State Democratic chair Shad Murib said on X that he avidly anticipates a potential debate this fall between Vance and Vice President Kamala Harris.

“Anyone else as unbelievably stoked as I am to watch Kamala Harris dismantle JD Vance in a debate?” Murib tweeted.

That drew an almost immediate response from former state House Minority Leader Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock, who tweeted: “I am equally stoked to see them debate!”