After being sworn in, Hanks missed the next two days, saying he had stomach issues.
âI think I had a case of food poisoning, a microwave burrito that probably should have cooked another 30 seconds,â Hanks said. âI wasnât feeling fully comfortable, so I talked to the Republican Whip (Rod Pelton) about missing a few days. I have to say Iâm kind of amused by this âWhereâs Waldoâ treatment by the media.â
Hanks is serving on the health and insurance committee as well as the state, civic, military and veterans affairs committee.
He has put forward two bills so far, a water storage tanks grant program and a bill to repeal the 2013 law regarding large-capacity ammunition magazines.
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
Those two are state Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara, and Pueblo resident Soledad Sandoval Tafoya.
The two join three others who already have announced their intention to seek the nomination: state Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail; Glenwood Springs attorney Colin Wilhelm; and Westcliffe rancher Gregg Harrison Smith.
Valdez, who tried to get the nomination last year but dropped out of the race before the June primary, said Boebertâs actions since taking office have prompted him to try again, particularly over the Silt Republicanâs attempts to challenge the outcome of the presidential election.
âLauren Boebert has proven to be a threat to our democracy, and her peddling of dangerous conspiracy theories isnât doing anything good for us here,â said Valdez, who made headlines statewide Wednesday when he tried to get the Colorado House to launch an investigation into a Republican representative who attended the Jan. 6 rally.
Colorado Rep. Valdez calls for removal of Rep. Hanks for attendance at DC insurrection
Colorado Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara, took to the House floor to call for the censure of Rep. Ron Hanks, R-Penrose, for his attendance at the gatherings ahead of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
and last updated 2021-02-17 00:49:16-05
DENVER â Colorado Rep. Donald Valdez, D-La Jara, took to the House floor to call for the censure of Rep. Ron Hanks, R-Penrose, for his attendance at the gatherings ahead of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. We all took an oath to defend our Constitution and protect our democracy. In order to do this work, we must first address the events on Jan. 6, Valdez said on the House floor Tuesday. With us today is our newly elected Rep. Hanks, who s conduct on Jan. 6 raises serious questions that must be addressed in front of this body.