Senate launches investigation into Faith Winter

DENVER (KDVR) — Senator Faith Winter will undergo an ethics investigation by a Colorado Senate panel after she appeared drunk at a community meeting in Northglenn earlier this year, according to Senate Democrats.

Winter was part of an April 3 panel that considered a proposed halfway house for the mentally ill that has faced community opposition because of its location near a school and a church. Winter, a Democrat, is assistant majority leader in the Colorado Senate and represents parts of Adams, Broomfield and Weld counties – including Northglenn.

Winter arrived late to the meeting and her speech faltered at points. Afterward, Winter told the Colorado Sun that she was undergoing treatment for alcoholism.

According to Andy Bixler, press secretary for Senate Democrats, her fellow senators are launching an investigation into whether she committed an ethics violation by appearing in her official capacity under the influence of alcohol. The Senate panel consists of James Coleman, the leader pro tempore of Senate Democrats, Dylan Roberts, a Democrat, Paul Lundeen, the Senate minority leader, Bob Gardner, the assistant minority leader, and Julie Gonzales, the Senate majority whip, who will also serve as chair of the panel.

Northglenn Town Council pushes for ethics complaint against Faith Winter

On April 4, Winters apologized for her behavior at City Hall and resigned from her role as chair of the Transportation and Energy Committee to “focus on my health,” as she said at the time. On May 1, the Northglenn City Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to file an ethics complaint against Winter with the Colorado Senate.

In their resolution, Northglenn council members claimed that individuals suggested that Winter should get a ride home after the April 3 meeting instead of driving herself.

The ethics complaint filed by the Northglenn City Council focuses on Winter’s conduct as an elected official in the city. The resolution states that she has “undermined the integrity of her office as a Senator representing the constituents of the city and has demonstrated an inability to discharge her legislative duties in a manner that enhances the public’s trust.”

“While the City is aware of the disease of alcoholism, there is simply no excuse for showing up to a community meeting under the influence of alcohol,” the Northglenn mayor’s letter states. “From the City Council’s perspective, this is at least a violation of its legislative duties under Rule 41(a.5), as set forth below.”

This rule states that the person holding a parliamentary office “shall respect the trust reposed in that member” and “shall at all times discharge his or her legislative duties in a manner that enhances public confidence in the integrity and independence of the Senate and General Assembly.”