DENVER — The Iowa caucuses are over and the results indicate one thing — this race won’t be over anytime soon.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s strong finish along with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s surge indicate they will be battling national front-runner Donald Trump for months to come.
On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton barely defeated Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, suggesting Sanders will be competitive for the foreseeable future as well.
For Colorado Republicans and Democrats, the results most likely mean a greater spotlight will be put on the state by the national parties.
“I think it’s going to put a huge spotlight on Colorado,” said State Rep. Joe Salazar, a Democrat who has yet to endorse a candidate.
Salazar said it’s clear the “Clinton coronation” isn’t occurring and that he hopes neither candidate “takes Colorado for granted.”
Sanders and Clinton have committed to speak at the Colorado Democratic Party Annual Dinner on Feb. 13. The Colorado Democratic Caucus is set for March 1.
On the Republican side, the polls suggest the race will stay close for awhile.
“It’s still a very close tight race,” said State Sen. Larry Crowder, who has yet to endorse a candidate.
Crowder said that while Colorado voters will not be casting a ballot for a Republican nominee this year, the state has 37 “unbound’ delegates that could prove to be critical if no nominee is chosen before the Republican National Convention in July.
“I think it puts us in a better position where we are,” Crowder said.