Stewart Requests Taxpayer-Funded Legal Representation

Colorado State House Representative Rebekah Stewart of Lakewood has requested taxpayer-funded legal representation related to an ethics violation complaint.

According to the Colorado Sun, “Taxpayers will cover the legal bills for 15 Democratic state lawmakers who face ethics complaints related to a dark money-funded weekend retreat held in Vail last month.”

It is particularly ironic that Stewart is receiving taxpayer-funded legal relief. In her first term, Stewart sponsored HB25-1093, shifting more legal costs onto taxpayers. Under HB25-1093, if residents work hard enough to get a citizen initiative on the ballot, the city can take the measure to court, and residents would foot the bill.

No matter what, taxpayers pay for what this group wants. 

Two other representatives of the Opportunity Caucus sponsored HB25-1093 and are now receiving taxpayer-funded legal representation concerning this same ethics complaint: Rep. William Lindstedt of Broomfield, and Rep. Cecelia Espenoza of Denver.

A third caucus member, Rep. Shannon Bird of Westminster, is also connected through HB25-1093 and the questionable meeting but is not seeking legal representation.

One final connection between HB-1093, the Opportunity Caucus and the ethics complaint is Rep. Javier Mabrey of Denver. Mabry sits on the Committee on Legal Services and voted to approve the legal representation.