DENVER— Rep. Faith Winter (D-Westminster) is returning to the scene where she says she was sexually harassed by a fellow lawmaker last year—the legislature’s annual after-party at Stoney’s bar.
On the last day of any legislative session, you’re bound to hear people in the halls of Colorado’s Capitol ask each other, “are you going to Stoney’s?”
But this year people walked in to the building wondering if the Stoney’s party still has a future.
State Rep. Steve Lebsock (D-Thornton) was expelled this year after Winter complained that he repeatedly pressured her for sex at the party in 2016. It was the first time in more than a century a state lawmaker got booted out in Colorado.
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But Winter says that doesn’t mean we can’t have nice things.
“It was never about the party,” Winter told 9NEWS. “People have been harassed inside the building, outside the building. They’ve been harassed by people that were drinking and people that weren’t.”
Winter says she feels safer going to the party this year because problems in the Capitol’s workplace culture have been exposed.
The party is attended by dozens of lawmakers, staffers, lobbyists, and the press.
It usually features an appearance by the governor. It always features flowing alcohol. And Winter sees it as a valuable social tradition.
“I am going to Stoney’s tonight because for the Colorado legislature, Stoney’s is the equivalent to the year-end holiday party for everyone else in the workforce,” Winter said. “Everyone in this building deserves to celebrate tonight."
Winter is more focused on the actions of the people attending.
“My question tonight is, ‘are you going to go to Stoney’s and ask me to have sex with you five times, or are you going to go Stoney’s and celebrate your hard work?’”
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