There’s a simple way to resolve potential conflict between Colorado and the federal government now that voters have approved Amendment 64 — and Congresswoman Diana DeGette has hit upon the answer.

The 1st District Democrat suggests adding a phrase to the section of the federal Controlled Substances Act where it talks about federal pre-emption of state law if there is a conflict. At that point — it’s Section 903, to be precise — DeGette would add language that exempts from the act any state provisions “relating to marijuana.”

The language of her proposed amendment hasn’t been finalized yet, but DeGette — who didn’t actually take a position on Amendment 64 during the campaign — has moved decisively. She has already submitted possible language to legislative drafting and hopes to introduce a bill as soon as next week.

We’re also pleased to see she intends to solicit potential support not only from members of the Colorado delegation but also from the state of Washington’s representatives.

Like Colorado, Washington passed a measure legalizing marijuana possession and use, while also permitting its cultivation and sale. Both states obviously have an interest in seeing voters’ wishes fulfilled without provoking a faceoff with the federal government — a faceoff the states would be fated to lose.

We applaud DeGette’s attempts to head off such a confrontation. Nor is she confining her activity to crafting a bill. She went on the record with us in unmistakable terms urging the Justice Department to “show restraint.”

“I’m really quite concerned what the federal response will be” to Amendment 64, she said.

We’d like to see the rest of Colorado’s major political figures take equally clear stands against pre-emptive intervention by the Justice Department. So far, unfortunately, most seem reluctant to do so.

On Friday, Gov. John Hickenlooper spoke with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder about 64. “They emphasized the need for the federal government to articulate what its position will be related to Amendment 64,” according to the governor’s spokesman, while agreeing to “continue talking.”

Also when asked Friday, neither of Colorado’s senators was willing to go to bat aggressively on behalf of voters. If they’re interested in an elegant way out of this tangle, however, we’d urge them to take a look at what DeGette is up to in the House.