Updated

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and his wife are separating.

The governor and his wife, the writer Helen Thorpe, issued a joint statement Tuesday announcing the move. They say they remain close friends, spend time together as a family and sometimes attend social events together.

Hickenlooper says he will be moving into the governor's mansion, but he will also continue to spend time at their family home with their son.

The couple said they sought marital counseling before making their decision. They didn't state a reason for the separation but said neither had an affair and pointed out that the split had nothing to do with the tragic events Colorado has experienced lately.

Hickenlooper, Thorpe and their son will take their annual vacation together this week as planned.