January 28, 2012 04:21 AM UTC

Bradford "Suspended" As Committee Chair After Traffic Stop

•  
• by: Colorado Pols

SATURDAY UPDATE: The Grand Junction Sentinel’s Charles Ashby:

The Colorado Constitution says legislators cannot be arrested except for reasons of treason or felony while going to or returning from the Legislature or a committee hearing.

But, according to the Legislature’s archived video and audio logs for that day, the House finished its floor work by 10:30 a.m. that morning, and Bradford’s committee met immediately afterward. It completed its work by noon, and Bradford served on no other committees that day…

—–

UPDATE #4: FOX 31’s Eli Stokols:

Bradford did not pass a roadside sobriety test, according to [Denver Police Lt. Matt] Murray, but was not arrested because of an antiquated state law that allows lawmakers a level of immunity from police arrest during the legislative session.

According to Murray, a regular citizen would have been taken in for a blood or breath test, resulting in a possible DUI arrest…

Bradford released a statement denying that account.

“I did not invoke legislative immunity,” she said.

But police say Bradford specifically mentioned she was coming from a legislative function and had to go to another one in the morning… [Pols emphasis]

—–

UPDATE #3: The law Rep. Laura Bradford reportedly cited to prevent arrest for DUI on Wednesday night is in fact Colorado Constitution Article V, Section 16:

Section 16. Privileges of members.

The members of the general assembly shall, in all cases except treason or felony, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the sessions of their respective houses, or any committees thereof, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either house, or any committees thereof, they shall not be questioned in any other place.

—–

UPDATE #2: 7NEWS reporting via Twitter that Rep. Bradford invoked state law preventing her arrest as a state representative with police at the scene. Developing…



—–

UPDATE: KKCO-TV Grand Junction reports–were you aware of this law?

NEW INFORMATION: Denver Police say Rep. Bradford admitted to drinking before being pulled over, but an old Colorado law prohibits them from arresting a State Representative if they’re driving to or from the State Capitol. [Pols emphasis]

…According to Denver Police, Rep. Bradford was seen driving “erratically” around 10:00 Wednesday night near Colfax Avenue and Downing Street.

(Comment H/T)

—–

Not much information yet, this Friday evening update from the Grand Junction Sentinel:

State Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, has been suspended as chairwoman of the House Local Government Committee due to a traffic citation.

The state House of Representatives announced in a news release early Friday evening that Bradford received a traffic citation Wednesday. The release didn’t indicate what the citation was for.

Rep. Libby Szabo of Arvada will take over Laura Bradford’s chair of the Local Government Committee–with a Tweet that Eli Stokols will have more at 9PM, you now know all we know.

We’ll update as information becomes available.