VAIL VALLEY, Colorado — Vail Valley District Attorney Mark Hurlbert announced Wednesday that he will run for the Colorado State Senate seat representing Summit, Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson and Grand counties.

Since 2002, Hurlbert, a Republican, has been the chief prosecutor for the Fifth Judicial Districtm, which includes Eagle County.

Democratic Sen. Dan Gibbs, who now holds the seat, announced in the fall that he would not seek re-election but would instead run for Summit County Commissioner in 2010.

“I am a firm believer in the ability of government to work to the benefit of the public, but I also know that there need to be realistic expectations from the constituency as to what government's limits are,” Hurlbert said. “Particularly now, fiscal responsibility must be a priority. Hard decisions will have to be made, but those decisions ultimately will benefit all of us.”

Hurlbert was appointed as district attorney in December 2002 to complete the term of Michael Goodbee. In 2004 he was elected to a four-year term. He ran unopposed in 2008.

Hurlbert has worked in the district attorney's office since 1993. In his sixteen years there, he has served as intern, deputy district attorney, chief deputy district attorney and assistant district attorney. He has prosecuted several high-profile cases, including the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case. He also prosecuted seven first-degree murder cases.

“I've dedicated my life to public service for 16 years, serving the people through the courts. I look at moving to the legislature as being able to help people in a much broader range of topics, such as the economy and the environment,” Hurlbert said. “I'd be lying if I said I'm not going to miss prosecution, because I love it. But I'm really excited about the potential of a new challenge.”

Hurlbert describes himself as a fiscal conservative, but he said he feels there is an unfortunate level of partisanship at the statehouse.

“I like small, effective government, and I support lower taxes and putting more hard-earned money in people's pockets. I'd like to think I'm pretty green too: I grew up in these mountains, camping and hiking,” he said.

Hurlbert will face Evergreen businessman Tim Leonard in the Republican primary.

No Democrats have filed for the race yet, but Senate President Brandon Shaffer said several from his party are seriously considering a run.

“All politics are local, and both candidates will have to make a case to the voters in the district,” Shaffer said. “Of the people looking at the race from the Democratic side, we have some strong potential candidates who are prepared to do that.

“I think in this legislative session, going into the election cycle, it's going to be about creating jobs and stabilizing the economy. I'm sure on the campaign trail, that's what our candidates will be talking about as well,” Shaffer said.

Democrats now represent 21 of the 35 seats in the Colorado Senate.

Hurlbert has lived in Summit County since 1979 and is a Summit High School graduate. He received his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and his juris doctor from the University of Colorado. Hurlbert is an avid outdoorsman. He has climbed all of Colorado's Fourteeners, Mount Whitney in California, Mount Ranier in Washington and the Grand Teton in Wyoming.

Hurlbert lives in Breckenridge with his wife Cathy and their two children.

Julie Sutor can be reached at (970) 668-4630 or jsutor@summitdaily.com.