Colorado members of Congress report from a Capitol under siege

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WASHINGTON — Amid an invasion of the U.S. Capitol by a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump today, Colorado members of Congress at the Capitol commented on the tense situation via social media.

The Congress was debating certification of the results of the Electoral College vote for Joe Biden as the next president when thousands of protesters, many waiving pro-Trump banners, stormed the Capitol, and some entered the building dispute efforts by the Capitol Police to keep them out.

Trump had earlier addressed a rally of supporters outside the White House, urging them to march to the Capitol. After violence broke out, he asked for the mob via Twitter to “remain peaceful,” and later posted a video urging rioters at the Capitol to “go home in peace.”

By about 4 pm MT, the Capitol was declared to be secure again.

Two Republican Colorado congressmembers who support Trump -- U.S. Reps. Doug Lamborn and Lauren Boebert -- had earlier said they planned to oppose certification of Biden’s election.

Here are excerpts from tweets by Colorado members of Congress posted roughly between noon and 3 p.m. MT today:

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado -- "I am safe and my staff is safe. We are currently in a secure lockdown. Today’s attack on the Capitol and our democracy is dangerous and unacceptable. … We need to finish the job of certification [of the presidential election results] as soon as possible to show the world that our democracy is up to this test. Our democracy is up to this test."

U.S. Rep. John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado -- “My staff and I are safe and in a secure lockdown. Grateful to Capitol Police for their work to protect us. It’s a sad day for our country, but our democracy is stronger than the dangerous attack on the Capitol today.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver -- "We have been evacuated from the House chamber and moved to a safe location. This isn’t a protest. This is an attempted coup. I never thought we’d see such anarchy spurred by our own president."

U.S Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs -- "My staff and I are safe. I strongly condemn those individuals that have chosen to incite violence and have put our law enforcement in harm's way. Today is supposed to be a day of constitutional debate, not violence. This is not who we are as Americans."

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, D-Aurora -- "I was trapped in the House Chamber with a few members for a little while as protestors tried to ram down the doors. We didn’t know how we were gonna get out, but Capitol Police were able to clear a route and get us out. We’re all now being protected in a secure location."

Earlier: "I’m currently in lockdown in the House chamber as the President of the United States incites his supporters to violence and to storm the Capitol. This is the outcome of Trump’s presidency."

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, R-Windsor -- "Every American has the right to peacefully protest. But storming the U.S. Capitol and attacking the brave men and women of the Capitol police force is wrong. This is not who we are. ... This is not a protest, this is anarchy. This needs to stop, it’s un-American."

U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Lafayette -- "We have been safely evacuated, and are sheltering in place. God bless the Capitol Police and law enforcement for their brave sacrifices. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers."

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Rifle -- “Thank you to everyone that has been checking in. My staff and I are safe and in an undisclosed location. I support peaceful protests and the rule of law, and denounce all acts of violence. I am grateful to the Capitol Police for their service. Thank you for keeping us safe.”

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Arvada -- Did not post a tweet. He told KUSA-9News that he was in a safe location and that it was a “dark day for [the] U.S..”

Watch coverage of the riots in Washington D.C. from the PBS NewsHour team below.