Master‑key, firearm and Brown Palace allegations remain unresolved as committee compiles evidence

Madam Chair described several substantive allegations the committee is evaluating: an allegation that a member used or had custody of a master key and may have entered locked offices without permission; an allegation of possessing a firearm while intoxicated; and reports of inappropriate sexualized comments, including off‑site incidents at the Brown Palace hotel.

On the master‑key allegation, the chair said the facts could raise theft and trespass concerns. "Breaking and entering, accessing somebody's private stuff without permission in any workplace is not appropriate," Representative Mabry said, adding the committee would have to assess the evidence to see if the allegation fits the committee's jurisdiction.

Regarding the firearm allegation, the chair framed it as an "and" situation — carrying a firearm while intoxicated — and said it is tied to a Colorado Revised Statute cited on the committee chart. Several members said they understood the statute sets specific elements the committee must examine to determine probable cause.

On the Brown Palace incidents and alleged sexualized comments, OLLS said such conduct, if proven, could fit the workplace‑harassment policy definition, but the committee must decide whether to pursue it or refer it to the confidential workplace‑harassment process; OLLS noted that the harassment process has confidentiality protections and investigatory levers that may produce more conclusive information.

The committee agreed to ask OLLS to help clarify definitions and to work with Legislative Human Resources where appropriate. No determinations of probable cause were made at this meeting.