Democratic leaders of the Colorado House Monday morning addressed the first week that lawmakers returned to the state Capitol, and in particular, some of the less-than-cordial behavior displayed by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
On Tuesday, the first day back after a monthlong recess, Rep. Don Valdez, D-La Jara, abused a moment of personal privilege to attack Rep. Ron Hanks, R-Penrose, for his participation in the Jan. 6 incident at the U.S. Capitol. Valdez, amidst hissing from fellow lawmakers, first called for Hanks to be kicked off committees and then for his expulsion.
Speaker of the House Alec Garnett, D-Denver, then forced Valdez to stop. Speaker Pro tem Adrienne Benavidez, D-Adams County, escorted Valdez off the floor for a talking-to. But Valdez doubled down later in the day, sending out a press release with a transcript of his remarks.Â