Here's the full text of Mark Hillman's surprise announcement he will not be seeking office in 2010:

Next, I wanted to you to hear it first from me:  I have decided not to seek elected office in 2010.  Much has changed since I last ran in 2006 - my wife and I have "settled down" in my hometown of Burlington and a six-month-old boy has drastically changed our priorities.  Campaigning for statewide or federal office is very demanding and our party deserves candidates who are willing to make that campaign a top priority.  At this time, that simply isn't a commitment I am willing to make.

I am truly grateful for your support over the years and if, in a few years, it turns out that another campaign is right for me, for my family, and for Colorado, I would be honored to again have your support.

In the meantime, I intend to work hard as your friend, as a conservative committed to limited government and constitutional freedom, and as your Republican National Committeeman to do all I can to help our candidates and our party succeed by returning to our roots and unifying around our core conservative principles.

Now, if your typical politician cited family concerns as their reason for not running it would usually be code for "I did something bad and don't want anyone to find out." The great thing about Mark is that he means what he says and that is exactly why his decision not to run is such a loss for the party and the state of Colorado.