KUNC Story Details Harassment Extensive At Colorado Capitol

Posted: Nov. 10, 2017

Nine legislators, staffers and lobbyists told KUNC public radio that Rep. Steve Lebsock, a Democrat running for state treasurer, harassed, intimidated or made unwanted sexual advances against them. "And in response to our reporting, a top Democratic leader is calling on Lebsock to 'do the right thing and resign,'" KUNC said. 

Beyond Lebsock, there are other complaints about a handful of male senators touching women’s lower backs, giving lingering hugs, making uncomfortable and unwanted comments about appearances, massaging necks, telling off-color jokes of a sexual nature and showing pornographic pictures, the station's Bente Birkeland reported. 

Several female lobbyists told Birkeland they try to avoid being alone with certain senators and go to offices in pairs or ask a male colleague to talk to them instead. None were willing to be named for this story, saying they feared going public would hurt their work at the legislature.

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