CDLC Demands Apology from Representative Boebert

DENVER, CO — The Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus and Democratic lawmakers in the General Assembly today released the following statement on photos that have surfaced of Congresswoman Lauren Boebert at a Halloween party dressed as a “Mexican” in a racist costume alongside a man dressed as an ICE officer: 

Beneath Lauren Boebert’s sombrero and red cape lies something far more concerning - a dangerous normalization of racism and complete disregard for the wellbeing of her constituents. The costume was a deeply racist caricature of our community.  Let’s be clear: this was not a “joke.” It was a deliberate act of cruelty and disrespect toward the Latino community at a time when our families are suffering because of Republicans’ dysfunction in Washington. While families are worried about food running out, while children cry because their parents have been detained or deported, while teachers and essential workers are living in fear, Republicans like Lauren Boebert are mocking our pain and using our culture as a prop.

Children in Boebert’s district have cried on their way home from school not knowing if their parents will be there to greet them when they step off the bus. ICE recently detained a 5th grade teacher in her district despite the teacher having a work permit. It is clear that Boebert does not know the terror that has gripped Latinos– as she attended a Halloween party in a racist costume, ICE was holding a wrongly-accused father and his children in a detention center in Texas when they should have been home in Durango. 

This is bigger than one costume. It is part of a larger and dangerous pattern within the Republican Party of dehumanization, of stripping immigrants and working families of dignity, and of weaponizing fear for political gain. The people she ridicules are the same people who keep her community, her district, and this state running. 

As the Republican shutdown drags on, thousands of Latino families are bracing for hunger, eviction, and uncertainty as health care costs skyrocket. Lauren Boebert’s shutdown is leaving families without paychecks, children without food assistance, and communities in limbo. And now, she mocks the very people she has left hungry and afraid.

We formally request an apology from Congresswoman Boebert, not because we believe there is any chance of receiving one, but because we want the public record to reflect who stood on the side of decency and who chose hate. She and her party claim to fight for freedom and faith, but faith without empathy is empty, and freedom without equality is a lie. Colorado’s Latino communities deserve better. Our children deserve leaders who lift them up, not tear them down.

We will not be silent. We will not be shamed. And we will not stop fighting for every family who deserves dignity, safety, and respect.

In addition to the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus, the following members also issued this joint statement:

Senator James Coleman
President of the Senate

Representative Julie McCluskie
Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives

Senator Chris Kolker
Senate Education Committee Chair

Senator Cathy Kipp

Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet
Senate President Pro Tempore

Senator Dylan Roberts
Majority Caucus Chair

Senator Iman Jodeh

Senator Janice Marchman
Senate Education Committee Vice Chair

Senator Jessie Danielson

Senator Judy Amabile
Joint Budget Committee Member

Senator Katie Wallace

Senator Kyle Mullica

Senator Lindsey Daugherty

Senator Lisa Cutter
Assistant Majority Leader

Senator Marc Snyder

Senator Mike Weissman

Senator Nick Hinrichsen
Majority Caucus Whip

Senator Tom Sullivan

Representative Andy Boesenecker
Speaker Pro Tempore

Representative Brianna Titone

Representative Chad Clifford

Representative Jacque Phillips

Representative Jamie Jackson

Representative Jennifer Bacon
Assistant Majority Leader

Representative Junie Joseph
Majority Caucus Co-Chair

Representative Karen McCormick

Representative Kyle Brown

Joint Budget Committee Member

Representative Meg Froelich

Representative Meghan Lukens
House Education Committee Chair

Representative Naquetta Ricks

Representative Sheila Lieder

Representative Steven Woodrow

Representative Tammy Story

Representative Tisha Mauro

Representative Shannon Bird 

Appropriations Committee Vice Chair

Representative William Lindstedt

Finance Committee Chair 

Representative Bob Marshall

Representative Lindsay Gilchrist 

Health & Human Services Committee Chair 

Representative Rebekah Stewart 

Transportation, Housing, & Local Government Vice Chair 

Representative Lesley Smith 

Representative Regina English 

Representative Amy Pascal

Representative Eliza Hamrick