Colorado's two U.S. senators, Republican Wayne Allard and Democrat Ken Salazar, will have a say in confirming the successor to Alberto Gonzales. Here's what they said they are looking for in a new attorney general.

Allard: The senator from Loveland wants someone who will "move forward on appointments," referring to the lengthy time it took to name a U.S. attorney for Colorado.

"I want someone who will respond to the legislative branch, as opposed to the executive branch," he said, adding the problem was not necessarily Gonzales himself but members of the Department of Justice who were not responsive.

"I want someone who's willing to enforce the country's laws on immigration. And we need to make sure the needs of Colorado's federal prison system are not ignored."

Salazar: The senator from Denver wants someone with "backbone" who will stand up to the president. He said Gonzales had two "fatal flaws." He "politicized" the Department of Justice, and he did not exercise "the independence needed as the top law enforcement officer of the land."

Other Colorado officials' comments on Gonzales' resignation:

• Troy Eid, U.S. attorney for Colorado: "As so often happens in politics, Gonzales has been criticized relentlessly. Over time, the record of what he has actually accomplished as the nation's first Hispanic attorney general will probably be more balanced. As a fellow person of color whose own father came to the United States with just $100, I've always found Gonzales' life story to be inspiring."

• Rep. Diane DeGette, D-Denver: "The political games the Bush administration has played with our justice system have put its credibility into doubt."

• Rep. Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs: "The American people need an attorney general who is honest and truthful."

• Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Fort Morgan: "I call on the Democrats in the Senate to avoid playing politics as usual and hold a quick, fair and honest confirmation process."

R-Fort Morgan

• Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden: "Our new attorney general must adhere to and enforce the rule of law, not the rules of politics."

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden