WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Ken Buck on Wednesday became the first member of Colorado’s congressional delegation to back U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz for president — calling the Texas Republican (and fellow Princeton alum) a “strong, conservative leader” who has “fought hard against the Washington establishment.”

“We need Ted in 2016 in order to help restore America back to the principles that made this country exceptional,” Buck said in a statement released by the Cruz campaign.

The announcement also noted that Buck, R-Windsor, would serve as Cruz’s Colorado state chairman. Said Cruz: Buck has “stood up and fought against Obama’s lawlessness, worked to protect life and marriage and to repeal Obamacare.”

With Buck now behind Cruz, that leaves two Republicans in the Colorado delegation who have yet to back anyone: U.S. Reps. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs and Scott Tipton of Cortez.

Previously, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, netted endorsements from U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner and U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman of Aurora.

Mark K. Matthews: 202-662-8907, mmatthews@denverpost.com or @mkmatthews