Sexual Harassment Claims Against Colo. Democratic Lawmaker

DENVER, CO -- Explosive allegations by nine people that Colorado legislator Democrat Rep. Steve Lebsock made unwanted sexual advances to them have spurred Colorado House Speaker Crisanta Duran to urge the legislator, who is also a candidate for state treasurer, to resign. Radio station KUNC published the accusations of female legislators, staffers and lobbyists who alleged Lebsock made sexual overtures.

Rep. Faith Winter told reporters Lebsock became aggressive when she refused to go home with him after a party in a bar in 2016. Lebsock "suggested sexual acts the two could do to make each other happy because it was the end of the legislative session and they deserved to be happy," according to KUNC.

A male colleague, Assistant Majority Leader Alec Garnett, observed the incident, the station reported. The two men exchanged words, and Garnett and Winter both said afterwards their working relationship with Lebsock in the Democratic caucus became strained.

Another anonymous lobbyist told the radio station Lebsock propositioned her while she was alone his office discussing policy. "He straight up asked if I would f--k him," the lobbyist said.

Lebsock evidently told party leaders during an "informal mediation process" that he would stop drinking and get therapy," the radio report said. But another incident allegedly happened reported last month, and that prompted Winter to go public, she said.

“At the time I told Rep. Lebsock that if I ever heard of him harassing another woman I would be the first to go public,” Winter told KUNC.

Lebsock told the station he wasn't sure what the radio station was asking about, but sent an emailed statement supporting the #metoo anti sexual harassment movement.

“The ‘me too’ movement has afforded victims of sexual harassment an opportunity to talk about some of the things that have happened in their lives and I think that’s a good way for people to start the healing process,” Lebsock said. “I think that’s about all I’m willing to say at this point because I’m not sure what you’re referencing at all.”

On Friday, House Speaker Duran issued a statement urging Lebsock to step down:

These are deeply disturbing allegations. I believe there should be extremely high standards of conduct for the legislature, and I take any allegations of sexual assault and harassment very seriously. While my formal role in investigating complaints established under Joint Rule 38 prohibits me from making initial judgments about the facts, these numerous allegations would represent a major breach of decorum, and I would expect that Rep. Lebsock would consider the impact of his actions on his colleagues and the public confidence in our institution, and do the right thing and resign. There is no place for those types of actions at the legislature.

She told the Denver Post she has she had temporarily removed Lebsock from chair of the House Local Government Committee.

Lebsock told the Post he couldn't remember the incident with Winter.

“I’m extremely sorry that Rep. Winter has been hurt, but I can also say honestly that I do not remember ever saying anything inappropriate to Rep. Winter (the night of the alleged incident).”

Lebsock, a fourth-generation Colorado native and former U.S. Marine, was elected in 2012 and represents Northeast Denver and suburbs of Northglenn, Thornton, Federal Heights and parts of unincorporated Adams Co. He announced he was running for state Treasurer in March.

KUNC also spoke with other female lobbyists and legislators who said the culture at the Capitol encouraged sexual harassment from male legislators, not just Lebsock. Sen. Kerry Donovan of Vail told the station the Capitol is the worst place she has ever worked in terms of sexual harassment.

Read the initial KUNC report here.

Image via Colorado Legislature