The editorial page of Colorado's largest newspaper backed President Barack Obama Friday, writing the Democratic incumbent had made "demonstrable - though hardly remarkable - progress" since they first backed him for president in 2008.

"Obama ... has shown throughout his term that he is a steady leader who keeps the interests of a broad array of Americans in mind," the editorial from the Denver Post read, providing a sharp contrast with Obama's rival Mitt Romney, who the paper excoriated for his remarks on the 47% of Americans who rely on the federal government for financial support.

"(T)hough there is much in Mitt Romney's résumé to suggest he is a capable problem-solver, the Republican nominee has not presented himself as a leader who will bring his party closer to the center at a time when that is what this country needs," the paper wrote, adding, "His comments on the 47 percent of Americans who refuse to 'take personal responsibility and care for their lives' were a telling insight into his views and a low point of the campaign."

In its endorsement, the Denver Post also noted Obama's foreign policy achievements, including ending the war in Iraq and ordering the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, saying the president "he has demonstrated himself capable in a tough situation."

They qualified the national security praise by writing Obama and his administration "owes the American public a thorough explanation of the troubling events surrounding the murder of four Americans in Benghazi last month."

While Romney's record in Massachusetts may point to a centrist Republican, the Post wrote the GOP nominee has changed since his days governing the Bay State.

"From running to the far right on immigration and women's health in the primary and then saddling his campaign with Rep. Paul Ryan's extreme and unrealistic budget, the Romney of this election cycle is not the man elected in Massachusetts," the editorial read.

Colorado is considered a key battleground in November's election, with nine electoral votes at stake. The state went for Obama over Sen. John McCain in 2008 by nine percentage points.

Polls show a dead heat in the state between Obama and Romney. An American Research Group survey taken after the first presidential debate, but before the second matchup between the two candidates, showed Romney at 50 percent among likely voters and Obama at 46 percent.

A second poll from CBS News/New York Times/Quinnipiac University, taken Oct. 4-9, showed Romney at 48 percent and Obama at 47 percent. Results from both surveys were within the sampling error.