A leading Democrat legislator in Colorado showed up drunk to a community event and is now seeking medical treatment for alcohol abuse.
According to the Daily Mail, Faith Winter, the assistant state senate majority leader, arrived nearly 10 minutes late to a public hearing in Northglenn on Wednesday concerning a proposal to establish a halfway house for sex offenders near an elementary school. Winter is a sponsor of this controversial and dangerous legislation.
Upon her belated arrival during the opening statements, an unaware Winter failed to realize she was expected to join the panel and had to be summoned to the stage. Her situation only deteriorated from there.
As she took her seat, Winter slurred badly while struggling to deliver her brief remarks.
Transcript of Winter’s slurred remarks:
Good evening, everyone. I’m sorry I’m a few minutes late.
I am working diligently to hold our department accountable to how they make sure our community is safe.
Most folks that go to prison, come out of prison. And we have to decide how and when and where we handle that.
And every local co-co-community (short pause) has issues. But my top priority is making sure that they are talking to you all and promoting safety and promoting the right guardrails.
Watch:
NEW: Dem. Colorado state senator SHOWS up DRUNK at a community hearing about a plan to OPEN a halfway house for S*X OFFENDERS near an ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) April 5, 2024
Faith Winter, Assistant Senate Majority Leader, arrived nearly 10 minutes late, appeared intoxicated, slurred her words and… pic.twitter.com/eiC4uwohlB
So Faith Winter showed up at an event attended by police and prosecutors (that she most likely drove drunk to) and –
— Tyler Sandberg (@wtylersandberg) April 4, 2024
Wasn’t arrested for a DUI?
Is *not* stepping down from legislative leadership?
Accountability should apply equally to all politicians.#COpolitics #COleg https://t.co/zcOMNAmiU0
According to the Daily Mail, during the meeting, an audience member confronted Winter for being on her phone while attendees were voicing their concerns about the facility. In a speech that was difficult to understand due to slurring, Winter defended herself by stating that she was using her phone to search for statistics.
Lissette Loya, another audience member, shared a video on Facebook that shows Winter using her phone during the meeting and expressed her frustration.
Watch:
In an interview with the Colorado Sun, a remorseful Winter announced her decision to resign from her role as chair of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee and revealed her intention to undergo substance abuse treatment.
“I deeply regret my behavior last night. I made a mistake, and I’m truly sorry for any inconvenience or discomfort I caused. I take full responsibility for my actions, and I am committed to making things right,” said Winter.
“I especially apologize to the city of Northglenn and the citizens that came out. I deeply care about your thoughts and community. I am now under the care of medical professionals and receiving treatment for my substance abuse disorder,” she continued.
