FORT COLLINS — Prosecutors say they won't file charges against either candidate in a bitter Colorado congressional race after each complained the other broke state law with negative ads they knew were false.

Larimer County District Attorney Larry Abrahamson said today that the ads run by Democrat Betsy Markey and Republican Marilyn Musgrave didn't rise to the level of a crime.

Markey defeated Musgrave, the incumbent.

Both campaigns filed complaints under a Colorado law that makes it illegal to knowingly or recklessly make false statements to affect an election.

Markey complained about Musgrave ads that said Markey "got rich on noncompetitive Haliburton-style contracts." Musgrave complained about Markey ads that said "Musgrave voted to let lobbyists wine and dine her."