Police Apologize To Colo. Lawmaker Suspected Of Drunk Driving

Denver police are apologizing to a Colorado lawmaker, saying they gave the wrong story about her traffic stop while she was suspected of drunken driving.

Rep. Laura Bradford Republican, R-Grand Junction, was pulled over on Jan. 25th. On that night, Bradford allegedly committed one or more traffic violations, including driving under the influence of alcohol or while her abilities were impaired.

Police said Tuesday a police supervisor asked Bradford if she was a member of the Legislature, and Bradford did not bring the topic up, as city officials said earlier.

Police say Bradford told the officers she wanted to be treated as any driver would. Questions were raised about whether Bradford had invoked legislative immunity under a provision in the state constitution. She has denied invoking immunity.

Neither the supervisor nor the arresting officer was named at Tuesday’s announcement.

On Tuesday, House leadership also called for an ethics committee to investigate the conduct of Bradford in regards to the events that took place around her traffic stop.

Speaker of the House, Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, requested an ethics committee to investigate whether Bradford was driving under the influence of alcohol and whether she invoked legislative privilege against arrest. House leadership subsequently deemed the complaint was meritorious and deserving of an investigation as required by House Rule 49.

McNulty appointed Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, chair of the committee, and Reps. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling, and Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland, members.

House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, named Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, as vice chair and Judy Solano, D-Brighton as a committee member.

Details of when the meetings will come are forthcoming.