Colorado’s elected officials and political leaders reacted swiftly Sunday after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee to take on former President Donald Trump in November.

Democrats praised Biden as what the state party called a “transformational and history-making president,” while Republicans questioned whether Biden should resign rather than serve out his term.

Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat sometimes mentioned as a potential presidential candidate, called Biden a “partner to Colorado and a true patriot” in a statement.

“This could not have been an easy decision but it is the right one, and Joe Biden promised Americans he would always do what’s right for our country and once again he has delivered,” said Polis. “I know President Biden and Jill are making this choice with the future of Americans in their hearts.”

Polis said he was “deeply grateful” to Biden for his years of service — and for stepping aside so that Democrats would have a better chance of defeating Trump.

“The United States cannot afford another potential four years of a disastrous Trump presidency that would trample on rights and freedoms, derail our economy, increase costs, and harm our international standing,” Polis said. “Coloradans and I are deeply grateful to President Biden for his incredible leadership and his unrelenting commitment to the country we all love.”

Colorado’s two Democratic senators, who had both expressed doubts in recent weeks about Biden’s ability to beat Trump, heaped praise on Biden and credited the 81-year-old former senator with “passing the torch” to a new generation of leaders.

“We owe President Biden a debt of gratitude that we may never be able to repay,” said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. “We may not know what comes next, but by passing the torch to a new standard bearer, President Biden has again given us the chance to beat Donald Trump and give our children the future they deserve.”

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper said Biden’s presidency will go down in history as one of the most significant White House tenures in the country’s history.

“For more than 50 years in public service, President Biden has always put the country before any personal concern or ambitions. It’s just who he is,” Hickenlooper said. “His presidency – and career – will be remembered alongside Roosevelt’s and Johnson’s for its scale, magnitude, and lasting impact on American society. More than anything, I’m thankful Joe Biden has given so much to this country over a lifetime of service.”

While neither senator publicly called on Biden to withdraw, Hickenlooper said last week that it “may be in the best interest of the country” for Biden to exit the race, and Bennet warned weeks ago that Trump was on track to win in a landslide if Biden remained the party’s nominee.

Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, the state’s leading Republican, said Biden should immediately step down.

“If Biden can’t run for office, he should resign. Immediately,” Boebert tweeted, echoing an avalanche of calls from GOP figures for Biden to exit the White House at the same time he leaves the race.

Boebert dismissed the notion that replacing Biden on the ticket could improve Democrats’ chances of keeping the presidency.

“After three and a half years of total failure, Biden is out of the race,” Boebert tweeted. “They can nominate anyone they want to replace him, but it’s all the same. The problem was never just Joe Biden, though he was a major problem, it was and is the Democrat agenda. Trump will resoundingly defeat whichever failed candidate they put up in Biden’s place. Onwards to victory!”

Jeff Crank, the GOP nominee in the 5th Congressional District seat held by retiring U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, said it was time for the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment — allowing for the replacement of presidents who are incapacitated — if Biden doesn’t resign from office.

“Despite an all-out effort to hide Joe Biden’s failing health, Democrats turned on him when they saw they could lose power,” Crank said in a statement. “Now the President admits he can’t run for re-election, but somehow thinks he can run the government. The President must resign immediately, or the cabinet must invoke the 25th amendment for the sake of our country.”

Crank added that he was optimistic about the general election: “I look forward to working with Donald Trump to defeat Kamala Harris.”

U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen was the lone Democratic elected official from Colorado who explicitly called on Biden to end his run before Sunday’s announcement. On Sunday, she thanked Biden, crediting her work on Biden’s 2008 presidential campaign with helping her pursue a career in politics.  

“Joe Biden embodies what it means to be a true patriot who puts the interest of the country and the American people over himself,” Pettersen said in a statement.

“He has dedicated 50 years fighting to make the lives of regular people better and has led our country through one of the most tumultuous times to the strongest recovery in the world,” Pettersen said. “Joe Biden is a big reason I am here today as a member of Congress, and he continues to make me proud with the issues he has championed and the selflessness he has shown. Thank you Joe Biden for all you have done for our country. We are forever grateful.”

Assistant House Democratic Leader Joe Neguse, the No. 4 Democrat in House leadership, became the first high-profile Colorado official — and the first member of the state’s delegation to next month’s Democratic National Convention — to wholeheartedly endorse Harris on Sunday as Biden’s replacement on the ticket.

Posting a picture of the two standing together, Neguse tweeted, “is a dedicated public servant and trailblazer who has delivered real progress for the people of our country. I couldn’t be more excited to endorse & support her campaign for President of the United States, Now let’s go win!!”

Minutes later, Secretary of State Jena Griswold, another member of Colorado’s DNC delegation, tweeted her support for Harris, calling the vice president “a tremendous leader who is ready to serve this country as the next President of the United States.”

Earlier, Griswold tweeted that Biden’s “decision to pass the torch” was more evidence that he was “an inspirational leader who always puts the American people first.”

Added Griswold: “Donald Trump and MAGA extremism must be defeated in November.”

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow called Biden’s decision to step aside more evidence that his fellow Democrat was putting the country’s needs ahead of his own.

“Joe Biden is one of the most effective and consequential presidents in American history. He has always put our country first. In 2020, President Biden saved us from a second Trump term, and by stepping aside he may have done so again,” Crow said in a statement.

“As a soldier and now as a Congressman, I have felt an unshakeable duty to protect our democracy, people, and ideals. This moment is no different. Donald Trump is a threat to democracy and would make our country unrecognizable. We must unite and defeat him in November,” Crow said. “I am confident Americans will rise up and meet this moment.”

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat, made a similar point, suggesting that Biden’s letter announcing his withdrawal will stand among the country’s historic documents.

“President Biden, thank you for your leadership and your legacy,” tweeted Johnston, linking to Biden’s own post that broke news of his decision. “This letter will take its place in the primary documents of American history as an example of what it means to love your country more than yourself.”

Meanwhile, the Colorado Democratic Party issued a statement thanking Biden for his tenure on the national stage.

“Joe Biden has been a transformational and history-making president,” the Democrats tweeted. “Our country owes him a debt of gratitude and respect for his decades of public service.”

Democratic state chair Shad Murib characterized Biden’s withdrawal as “a stunning act of courage and patriotism that is all too lacking in American politics these days.”

In an emailed statement, Murib hailed Biden’s achievements in Colorado.

“President Biden’s decades of service have made this country better off, and he has been a friend of Colorado, creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs, designating Camp Hale as national monument, keeping Space Command in Colorado Springs, and cutting the cost of living for working people. From his time as Senator to being the most effective President in modern history, our country has seen tremendous growth and success as a result of his leadership,” Murib said in a statement, adding that the party wanted to express “enormous gratitude” for Biden’s accomplishments.

Editor’s note: This developing story will be updated.