No criminal charges will be filed against former Republican U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave or Democrat Betsy Markey, who accused each other of running misleading political ads in their respective campaigns to represent the 4th Congressional District last year.

On Thursday, Larimer County District Attorney Larry R. Abrahamson announced that he found that certain statements made in both candidates' ads "did not rise to the level of a knowing or reckless disregard" as required to file charges under state law.

"Therefore, charges will not be filed against either Marilyn Musgrave or Betsy Markey or any member of their campaign staff," Abrahamson said.

Anne Caprara, former campaign manager for Markey, who won the contentious race, released a statement Thursday.

"The Markey campaign indicated to District Attorney Abrahamson's office that although we felt and still feel that there were many blatantly false statements made about Betsy's service for Senator (Ken) Salazar during the campaign, we did not wish to drag anyone through a protracted legal battle," she said.

Musgrave could not be reached for comment Thursday, and her campaign manager, Jason Thielman, did not return calls.