DENVER --  Like all Coloradans, Frances and I are horrified at today's senseless violence at Columbine High School. As the parents of three school age children ourselves, we share everyone's disbelief and shock that such a tragedy could occur in our state.

I have been closely monitoring the situation with the head of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Ari Zavaras. We have made available to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department all state law enforcement agencies, including the state patrol, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the National Guard.

The state will continue to do everything it can to help the law enforcement authorities on the ground bring this terrible tragedy to a swift conclusion. Because the situation is still unfolding, I am requested by law enforcement to offer no further details.

At times like this we all ask God how such terrible suffering and pain can occur. As we each search for answers, let us renew our effort to heal a culture that allows such needless violence.