What happens if the elected Governor of Colorado cannot serve?

When the elected Governor of Colorado is unable to serve due to reasons such as illness, resignation, or any situation preventing them from fulfilling their duties, the responsibility typically falls to the Lieutenant Governor. This transition is rooted in the state's constitutional provisions, which designate the Lieutenant Governor as the next in line to assume the role and responsibilities of the Governor temporarily.

The importance of this arrangement is to ensure continuity of governance without interruption. The Lieutenant Governor is prepared for this role, having already been elected and working closely with the Governor. This system allows for a stable and consistent leadership structure even when the sitting Governor cannot perform their duties.

In contrast, the other options involve scenarios that do not align with the established protocols for addressing a Governor's absence. The Governor's cabinet does not have the authority to assume the role of Governor, a Chief of Staff typically serves an advisory capacity without constitutional authority to take over, and calling a new election would be a lengthy process that is not designed to address temporary incapacity. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the state’s established line of succession.