For Immediate Release Contact: Sean Paige

March 1, 2018 (719) 337-0355

sean.paige@state.co.us

Senate Republicans Call for Sweeping Investigation and Development of

Best-in-Nation Policies to Combat Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
DENVER, CO – Today, Republican lawmakers called for criminal investigations to be launched into
allegations of unwanted sexual touching by members of the Colorado legislature.

Colorado Senate President Kevin Grantham, alongside State Senators Beth Martinez Humenik and Vicki
Marble, Colorado GOP Vice-Chair Sherrie Gibson, and members of the House Republican Caucus
gathered in the West Foyer of the Capitol for the announcement.

“As representatives of the people of Colorado, elected officials should be held to a higher standard. When
allegations of unwanted sexual contact are raised, we have no doubt they should be thoroughly
investigated and prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law. That is why today, we are calling on Denver
District Attorney, Beth McCann, to launch a full scale investigation into these allegations of sexual
harassment by both Republican and Democrat lawmakers in both chambers of our legislature,” said Senate
President Kevin Grantham.

“The President and I have been working diligently to improve workplace harassment prevention measures
and make the Capitol a safe, respectful workplace for all,” said Martinez Humenik. “I wholeheartedly
support the President’s call on the District Attorney to investigate these very serious allegations and look
forward to the outcome of her investigation.”

If evidence is found by the District Attorney to prosecute charges of sexual misconduct by members of the
Colorado legislature and those members are found guilty of the allegations, Republican lawmakers are
prepared to offer resolutions on the House and Senate floors to expel associated members of the
legislature. Republicans will call on House and Senate Democrats to join them in support of these
resolutions.

Last November, in coordination with State Senator Beth Martinez Humenik, Senate GOP lawmakers
spearheaded an initiative to begin reforming the legislature’s workplace harassment policy. As part of this
initiative, legislators and staff have already completed workplace harassment prevention training and the
legislature’s first ever Human Resources Coordinator began last month. A comprehensive review of the
legislature’s workplace harassment policy is currently underway by the independent Investigations Law
Group (ILG), with initial findings and recommendations from the group due early April.

Republican leadership, today, called for additional steps to be taken to reform the legislature’s workplace
harassment policy, beginning with the development of a best-in-the-nation model program to combat and
address workplace harassment in the Colorado legislature. The best-in-the-nation approach will take the
findings of ILG’s comprehensive review of the legislature’s workplace harassment policy, combined with a
comprehensive review of academic, public, and private sector best practices, resulting in the development
of final recommendations for development of a new policy to be voted on by members of both the House
and Senate chambers before the end of the legislative session.

“Sexual harassment is far more than an inconvenience, a disruption, or an interference in the workplace. It
has no place in our state Capitol and we must demand better from our elected leaders. I stand with
President Grantham today and and my office will provide assistance at the District Attorney's request. I
fully expect any member of the legislature convicted of sexual misconduct to be removed by the legislative
body,” said Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman.

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