Governor John Hickenlooper, Wife Helen Thorpe, Announce Their Separation

Gov. John Hickenlooper and his wife of 10 years Helen Thorpe, announced Tuesday that they have decided to separate.

The Governor's Office released the following joint statement:

After years of marriage that have added tremendous love and depth to both of our lives, we have decided to separate. This decision is mutual and amicable. We continue to have the utmost respect for each other, and we remain close friends. We intend to continue functioning as a family that spends a great deal of time together. In fact, we will embark on our annual family vacation together this week, share meals often, and plan to spend holidays together. You can continue to expect to see both of us out in the community – sometimes together, sometimes solo. Please feel free to include both of us in social gatherings as we will not find it awkward.

Our chief concern right now is the well-being of our son, so we ask everyone to respect our privacy as we make this transition. While public office made this announcement necessary, it will be the only statement we make on this private matter. We want to thank our friends, family, and community for all of the support you have shown us as a couple and as individuals, and for the support we know you will provide as we move forward.

Added at the bottom of the statement were assurances that "Both the Governor and Ms. Thorpe want the public to know that neither has had an affair, that they did seek extended counseling, and that this decision is unrelated to the difficult events Colorado has faced this summer."

In a Denver Post article titled "Helen Thorpe: Colorado's Accidental First Lady," that was published last year, Thorpe described herself as being a private person and said she'd "really lived in a fabulous state of denial" about Hickenlooper's ascent to the state's Governor.

The overall reaction to the news on Twitter Tuesday seemed to be sympathetic while also praising the way the couple announced their split.

Hickenlooper will be moving into the Governor's Mansion in Denver. According to KMGH, several of the Governor's Cabinet members have taken up residence there while Hickenlooper and Thorpe had been living in a private residence with their 10-year-old son Teddy.