DENVER - A member of the state legislature was suspended from her committee post on Friday over a driving incident earlier in the week. On Monday, she released a statement regarding the encounter and delivered it on the House floor.
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According to Denver Police, State Rep. Laura Bradford (R-Grand Junction) made an illegal turn and was driving erratically on Wednesday around 10 p.m.
Police pulled her over and conducted a field-sobriety test. Police could not detain her longer because of a state statute that says a legislator cannot be detained if they are going to or from the State Capitol. Bradford was driving her personal vehicle with legislative license plates on it.
"She said she had been drinking. The officer smelled alcohol and we gave her roadside tests that gave us indications that we should test her further," Denver Police Lt. Matt Murray said.
But the officer couldn't test Bradford's blood alcohol because she told him she was leaving a legislative function.
Bradford described the situation in her speech on the House floor: "Colleagues and friends, it's with a deep sense of pain and remorse that I stand before you today. I am not above the law. I am bound to the same laws and standards as every other citizen. I am sorry that my actions have cast a shadow on this House and the entire General Assembly. Last Wednesday evening, I was pulled over by the Denver Police for traffic violations. I was driving my personal car with legislative license plates. In response to the officer's inquiries, I stated that I was leaving a legislative function and needed to be at the Capitol the next day. I responded to officers' questions. My statements were not intended to invoke legislative privilege. I am deeply sorry for my actions, and I apologize to each member of this body, to my constituents and to the people of Colorado."
Protocol tells Denver Police not to detain a lawmaker for DUI unless there's been an injury if they're going to or from legislative business.
Police say Bradford was cited for making an illegal turn and making an illegal lane change. Her car was parked, and she then took a taxi to her next destination.
Bradford says that's not what she wanted.
She was stopped around 10 p.m., long after the legislature finished business for the day. Bradford wouldn't answer questions about what legislative function she was returning from.
9Wants to Know obtained a copy of her calendar and the final event last Wednesday was an event hosted by oil and gas lobbyists - an Iron Chef competition to benefit the Girl Scouts.
Food and drinks were served.
The lobbying group, the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, confirmed Bradford was there and said the event went until 6 p.m., but wouldn't say any more.
A Republican staffer said Bradford was leaving the Capital Hill bar Prohibition at the time of the traffic stop.
"I have nothing further to add," she told 9NEWS after making her statement on the House floor. "I have made my statement and I have nothing further to add."
Police say she mentioned a legislative dinner when they stopped her.
Police say the law that kept officers from detaining Bradford was passed decades ago and is part of the Colorado Constitution. It was put on the books to keep law enforcement agencies from interfering with state business, including keeping a state lawmaker from reaching the Capitol to attend a vote.
Lawmakers from both parties say Denver Police interpreted state law too broadly.
"It wasn't intended to say, 'Legislator, you commit a crime, you get out of jail free,'" Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino (D-Denver) said.
"There seems to be some confusion over what it means to have legislative privilege," House Speaker Frank McNulty (R-Highlands Ranch) said.
Denver Police says there is no confusion - the law itself is too broad.
"I would appreciate them writing legislation that gives us better direction then because we clearly followed the law," Murray said.
Friday, Bradford was suspended from her post as chairwoman of the House Local Government Committee. Rep. Libby Szabo (R-Arvada) will now serve as chair.
McNulty is still considering his options on what else might happen.
"There are a number of different tacks the house can take but we certainly recognize the seriousness of the situation and the way that we proceed will reflect that," he said.
Bradford released another statement on Friday night: "I look forward to continuing my work on behalf of the people of my district and Colorado. I understand the Speaker's decision, and I look forward to having the facts brought to light."
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