Hickenlooper, state lawmakers react to Dallas shooting, urge community wide discussion, dialogue

In response to the Dallas Police shootings, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper tweeted Friday: “Let us work together to reach a place where peaceful dialogue and greater understanding carry us beyond destructiveness and brutality. #LoveThyNeighbor”

State Rep. Pete Lee, of Colorado Springs, offered his condolences to the victims and their families.

“I think it’s just horrible that in this civilized country,” Lee said, “we have these killings going on on the streets of our communities on an all too frequent, regular basis. We need to be talking among each other. we need to have dialogue between people of color and the police, between the protectors and the protected.”

Lee’s Republican colleagues agree about the need for a productive dialogue. Monument lawmaker, State Rep. Paul Lundeen, said in a statement to our newsroom: “Avoidable violence is tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones. A larger societal conversation is key to improving this problem over time. Community, our churches and synagogues and community organizations and service clubs, not government, is the place we can make the most change to this problem.”

State Sen. Kent Lambert, of Colorado Springs, said: “Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the officers and families of the Dallas Police Department. We need to support our police forces around the country, and work to protect our police and all citizens from those who would do them harm.”