DENVER -- Even though more prominent Republicans are pulling their support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes, Maes told 7NEWS Friday afternoon that he's staying in the race.

"After speaking with, and hearing from, numerous Coloradans -- from former Senators to family farmers -- I’ve determined that I cannot turn my back on the 200,000 voters who nominated me to run for this office," Maes told 7NEWS. "During this time of deliberation, I listened equally to those who wanted me in this race and those who did not, and after internalizing that advice, I’m proud to say I’m in it to win it."

After the statement from Maes, Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams issued a statement that said he was "disappointed" in the decision.

"The only way Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper could win this election for governor is by being handed the kind of race he was today by Dan Maes and Tom Tancredo," Wadhams said.

On Friday morning, Republican Senate candidate Ken Buck and Rep. Mike Coffman joined a growing list of Republicans who are are asking Maes to pull out of the race so that Republicans have a shot at defeating Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, the Democratic candidate for governor.

They want the Republican party to choose a new candidate.

“After having a lengthy conversation with Dan Maes, it is clear to me that Dan is struggling to determine the best path for his campaign, his family and for Colorado. I have decided that I can no longer support his candidacy for governor of Colorado," Buck said.

"It is because of my concern for the working families of Colorado that I am asking Dan Maes to quit the governor's race," Coffman said in a statement. "Colorado can't afford to have the Mayor of Denver as our next governor who would continue the failed policies of Bill Ritter."

Maes is in a three-way race with Hickenlooper and Tom Tancredo, who is running as a third-party candidate.

Former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown, former state senate president John Andrews, former Rep. Bob Beaprez and others withdrew their Maes endorsements on Thursday after Kansas law enforcement officials denied claims by Maes that he worked for them as a young officer in the 1980s on an undercover sting and was fired because of corruption within the department.

Maes has said again and again he will not bow out and allow another person to be the Republican candidate for governor. He reiterated that stance on Friday.

Maes won the GOP nomination in August without the support of the state or national party establishment. He did get the support of Tea Party groups.

Time is running out for Republicans to name another candidate on November's ballot.

Secretary of State Bernie Buescher said he will certify the November ballot by the close of business Friday.