Colorado politicians are speaking out following the weekend shooting of two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses that left one couple dead. 

Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested on Sunday following a two-day manhunt in the northern Minneapolis suburbs. He is accused of posing as a police officer and shooting former Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband, killing both.

Another Democratic state lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife were also shot but are expected to survive. 

“Colorado stands with Minnesota, and our deepest sympathies go out to those impacted by what appears to be politically motivated attacks,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement released Saturday afternoon.

“Make no mistake, politically motivated violence, assassinations, and attempts on the lives of elected officials are not the America we know, hold dear, and love. We must continue to reject the divisive politics and rhetoric that have become too prevalent in our country.”

Polis said those involved should “never see the light of day again, be fully prosecuted under the law.”

Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, said legislative leaders have been in “close and ongoing communication” with Colorado State Patrol and other law enforcement agencies about any necessary additional security measures for the state’s elected officials and their staff. 

“The assassination and targeted attack in Minnesota was a tragedy and a disturbing escalation of political violence in our country,” said Coleman. “It’s understandable that legislators are concerned for their safety and the safety of their families.”

Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, said Hortman was a “cherished colleague” of hers. 

“Words cannot express how deeply saddened I am,” she wrote in a statement posted to X over the weekend. “She was a brilliant public servant, a champion for her state, and simply a wonderful person. My heart is with her family, her caucus and the state of Minnesota who I know are grieving alongside an entire nation that is in shock, and I am praying for the recovery of Senator Hoffman and his wife.”

McCluskie said American democracy is based on the idea that people resolve their differences through peaceful debate and in the courts and legislative bodies.

“There is no place in our country, ever, for the targeting of elected officials and political violence, and those responsible must be brought to justice,” she said.