Crude Signal chats, social media attacks, mistreated aides: lawmaker conduct is back in the headlines

House Republicans sharing locker room jokes about a Democratic colleague's outfit in a group chat. A former Democratic senator charged with a felony for allegedly forging letters of defense in an ethics probe. A representative accused of bullying and harassing women before taking office.

Workplace misconduct at the Colorado State Capitol isn’t new. But this year has contained more allegations and revelations than usual.

Nearly a decade since the #MeToo movement led lawmakers to adopt new policies and protections for those who serve in, and work with, the legislature, some are questioning whether those efforts are due for an update.

CPR’s Bente Birkeland, The Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul and The Denver Post’s Seth Klamann have all covered various aspects of workplace conditions at the State Capitol. They discuss the efforts the legislature has taken in recent years to improve circumstances and what lawmaker misconduct means for governance, especially now, on the cusp of a special session.

Read their reporting:

• In private group chat, GOP lawmakers made crude jokes about a Democratic colleague’s clothing
• A Colorado lawmaker charged gas to his campaign. Then he asked taxpayers to reimburse his mileage
• Two women accuse Republican state lawmaker of making unwanted sexual advances. He denies the allegations
• A Colorado lawmaker charged gas to his campaign. Then he asked taxpayers to reimburse his mileage
• Colorado House member faced investigation over ignored harassment complaint, aide mistreatment
• Colorado lawmaker faces ‘bullying’ claims from past Larimer County post, complaint from fellow legislator
• Democratic lawmaker apologizes for Trump tweet, while others debate role of rhetoric in inflaming violence
• Lawmakers and lobbyists accuse Steve Lebsock of sexual harassment; speaker calls for his resignation

Purplish is produced by CPR News and the Capitol News Alliance, a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and The Colorado Sun, and shared with Rocky Mountain Community Radio and other news organizations across the state. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Purplish’s producer is Stephanie Wolf and its editor is Megan Verlee, sound designed and engineered by Shane Rumsey. The theme music is by Brad Turner.