DENVER – Colorado’s political world is waiting on George Brauchler.

The district attorney of the 18th Judicial District, which covers the southern swath of the Denver metro area, wrapped up the grueling, seven-month-long theater shooting trial just over a week ago. But he’s come under enormous pressure to decide on whether to challenge Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet in next year’s election.

Republicans have failed to recruit a prominent challenger to the state’s senior senator, and the Colorado seat is key for the party’s hopes to hold onto the Senate in the 2016 elections.

“George brings instant credibility,” said Greg Brophy, chief of staff to Rep. Ken Buck, one of multiple members of the Colorado congressional delegation Brauchler has spoken with recently. “The national money will start flowing instantly if he gets into the race.”

But Brauchler is openly conflicted, wary of having to spend time away from his four young children while also tempted by the opportunity.

“I’m just not there yet,” said an exhausted-sounding Brauchler in an interview Wednesday. He added that many of his conversations have been informal. “The ones that matter to me are, how do you balance this with your home life?”

Brauchler, 45, said that he knows he’d have a “vigorous” primary if he ran. He said he did not want to state his position on Colorado political controversies, like efforts to grant legal status to fertilized eggs, until he decides whether to enter the race. “I’d be happy to answer those things if I got into the Senate” contest, he said.

Some Democratic-aligned groups have issued statements criticizing Brauchler for his handling of the trial or opposition to abortion rights as speculation has risen during the past week. But those have barely registered on the prosecutor amid the intense speculation. “It’s flattering,” he said, “but it’s also overwhelming.”