Colorado Republicans are still looking for a top-tier candidate to run for the Senate next year now that former Rep. Bob Beauprez has decided against entering the race to challenge Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet.

In a statement posted Monday on his website, Beauprez — who left his House seat to run unsuccessfully for governor against Democrat Bill Ritter Jr. in 2006 — expressed confidence that the GOP would find a strong conservative candidate. “I believe we will have a great nominee, and I believe we can and will win. It will take all of us pulling in the same direction, for the same reason,” he wrote.

Former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton is expected to decide by the middle of September whether she will enter the race for the Republican nomination, The Denver Post reported last week.