Police Estimate Lawmaker's Blood Alcohol Content Was .20 - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

DENVER -- Denver police think a state lawmaker pulled over last month had a blood alcohol level that was twice the legal limit, according to Denver police documents released by the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday.

According to the internal affairs documents released by the state House, Officer Brian Klaus estimated State Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, had a blood-alcohol content at "roughly" 0.20 when he pulled her over on Jan. 25.

While Bradford never took a blood alcohol test, Klaus said she failed each roadside sobriety test.

Klaus also said that when he initially pulled her over, he smelled alcohol on her breath and asked if she had been drinking. She said she had only one glass of wine, according to the report.

However, after she performed "poorly" on the roadside sobriety tests, Klaus told her he thought her blood alcohol content was roughly 0.20.

"I then asked her again how much she had to drink and she responded '3 glasses of wine,'" Klaus wrote in his report.

Because of her legislative plates, Klaus called a supervisor to the scene -- Sgt. Benita Packard.

"I then talked with Sgt. Packard and was told not to do a DUI short form nor was I supposed to write on the traffic citation that she was intoxicated," Klaus said.

"I then went to talk to the state rep and explain her ticket to her. I told her how lucky she was to not be going to jail for DUI. She stated to me she did not want special treatment and I explained to her I had no choice," Klaus said.

Part About Gun In Car Left Off Report, Officer Says

Packard then told Bradford to take anything of value out of her vehicle because they were going to park her car there.

Bradford then said she had a loaded handgun underneath the driver's seat.

"I explained to Rep. Bradford what other charges I could apply and again she stated she didn't want special treatment," Klaus said.

The officer said his supervisor pulled out the handgun, unloaded it, and handed Bradford her purse and told Bradford the handgun was in the purse.

"As the taxi left, Sgt. Packard then told me to keep the handgun part of the stop quiet and only we would know," Klaus said.

Klaus said Bradford told him she had a concealed weapons permit and was willing to show it but "I said no because I wanted to be done with this stop and per Sgt. Packard's direction."

However, when he checked on the police computer on Jan. 30, he said he found no records for a concealed weapons permit in Bradford's name.

Officer Brian Klaus Comes Forward About What Really Happened

Klaus said he came forward about what happened that night because he became uncomfortable about the instructions he was given.

"I was disappointed in the first place that I had to let Mrs. Bradford go on the DUI as I clearly stated to Bradford and Sgt. Packard. When Sgt. Packard stated this is what we were going to do with the firearm, it made me upset and I clearly stated that to Mrs. Bradford that it wasn't my decision to let her go. I did not feel comfortable letting her go but I kept my mouth shut," Klaus said.

He said he told multiple officers about the gun because he was "uncomfortable with the situation."

He said he knew at the time that an intoxicated person cannot possess a firearm.

Bradford was cited for careless driving and making an illegal turn. She was not cited for DUI. Her car was parked and she took a cab to her Denver residence.

A state house ethics committee looking into the traffic stop took no action after determining Bradford never invoked legislative immunity.

Sgt. Benita Packard Explains Stop

In her report to the internal affairs department, Packard never talked about the weapon in Bradford's car.

After she was called to the scene, Packard said, "I contacted the driver, Ms. Bradford and learned she had been to a dinner meeting discussing legislative issues. Ms. Bradford told me that she had to be 'back to work in the morning' at the State Capitol."

Packard contacted her supervisor and "advised him of the traffic stop with a member of the legislature. Officer Klaus had Ms. Bradford complete a field sobriety test, which she did poorly."

"Pursuant to Article 5, Section 16 of the Colorado Constitution and Denver Police Department OMS 205.07, Violations by Colorado Legislators, Ms. Bradford was cited for the traffic violations Officer Klaus observed and her vehicle was parked and locked in the 1700 blk of Pennysylvania St. A taxi cab was called to transport Ms. Bradford to her residence in Denver. "

Bradford Admitted Drinking

Bradford admitted to 7NEWS that she had multiple drinks prior to being pulled over that night.

"What did you have to drink that night?" 7NEWS reporter Marshall Zelinger asked Bradford at the Capitol.

"Three glasses of wine in three-and-a-half hours, with a heavy meal in between," said Bradford.

"Do you feel you were drunk when you were driving?" asked 7NEWS reporter Marshall Zelinger.

"No," said Bradford.