FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2019 file photo, Crisanta Duran, Colorado's then speaker of the house, makes her way to the podium to convene the new session in the House chamber in the State Capitol in Denver. Duran is running for the U.S. House seat occupied by fellow Democrat Diana DeGette. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

DENVER  |  Former Colorado House Speaker Crisanta Duran has ended her campaign for the U.S. House seat occupied by fellow Democrat Diana DeGette.

Duran told supporters in an email Friday she believes she can be more effective “pursuing transformational change through other means.” She had been in the race since February.

The Denver Post reports Duran once was considered an early favorite to win the Democratic nomination to oppose Sen. Cory Gardner, considered one of the most vulnerable Republican senators in the country. She surprised her colleagues and supporters by deciding to run against DeGette instead.

DeGette is a 12-term incumbent representing Denver’s liberal 1st Congressional District. Her chief of staff told The Post the congresswoman was traveling and was not available for comment.

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Information from: The Denver Post, http://www.denverpost.com

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