Best New Voice at the State Capitol 2004 | Representative Andrew Romanoff | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best New Voice at the State Capitol

Representative Andrew Romanoff

Colorado Democrats have been looking for energetic new leaders, and they've found a promising one in Romanoff. As leader of the perpetual minority party in the Statehouse, Romanoff's managed to stir things up under the Capitol dome. He's made far-reaching proposals to solve the state's budget crisis and gotten Democrats into the limelight -- not an easy thing to do when Republicans control both the legislature and the governor's office. Romanoff, who represents east Denver, also writes an intelligent, amusing e-mail letter every week for constituents and supporters that's becoming a must-read (subscribe at [email protected]). With Colorado in a fiscal mess, we'll need people like Romanoff to show the way out -- and maybe even lead us into the future.

Best Scandal

University of Colorado's Rapecruitment Program

Beat 'em, bust 'em, that's our custom! Some schools are steeped in athletic traditions that include such gaudy honors as national championships and future pro zillionaires. But that's nothing. CU already had a rich history of unsportsmanlike misbehavior, and with the current tales of alcohol-fueled recruiting rape parties, alleged sexual assaults by team members, reported Buff brass coverups and a cast of characters ranging from CU prez Betsy Hoffman to coach Gary Barnett to Boulder DA Mary Keenan to scribe Rick Reilly, the University of Colorado has reached its number-one ranking in sleaze! And such sleaze that Representative John Conyers (a Democrat, no less!) asked the House Judiciary Committee chair to schedule hearings into misconduct by CU's football program, noting that "reports have detailed, at a minimum, a widespread culture of disrespect toward women within the Colorado athletic department, producing an atmosphere where sexual assaults are condoned and covered up by university officials."

But here's the big news. The lawmaker recognizes that this stuff goes on "at other universities as well." Which means the rest of the nation is taking its cue from CU. At last. Forget CU being the number-one party school. The Buffs land us at the top of the scandal heap, too.

Best Scandal

University of Colorado's Rapecruitment Program

Beat 'em, bust 'em, that's our custom! Some schools are steeped in athletic traditions that include such gaudy honors as national championships and future pro zillionaires. But that's nothing. CU already had a rich history of unsportsmanlike misbehavior, and with the current tales of alcohol-fueled recruiting rape parties, alleged sexual assaults by team members, reported Buff brass coverups and a cast of characters ranging from CU prez Betsy Hoffman to coach Gary Barnett to Boulder DA Mary Keenan to scribe Rick Reilly, the University of Colorado has reached its number-one ranking in sleaze! And such sleaze that Representative John Conyers (a Democrat, no less!) asked the House Judiciary Committee chair to schedule hearings into misconduct by CU's football program, noting that "reports have detailed, at a minimum, a widespread culture of disrespect toward women within the Colorado athletic department, producing an atmosphere where sexual assaults are condoned and covered up by university officials."

But here's the big news. The lawmaker recognizes that this stuff goes on "at other universities as well." Which means the rest of the nation is taking its cue from CU. At last. Forget CU being the number-one party school. The Buffs land us at the top of the scandal heap, too.

Best Comment on the CU Recruiting Scandal

Joyce Lebra

When retired University of Colorado history professor Joyce Lebra learned that she'd be receiving the University Medal, a service award given by CU, she sent a letter to the Board of Regents. It was not a thank-you note. "The massive concrete stadium structure looming over the campus stands as a symbol of the gross distortion of priorities at the university and moreover is incongruent with the architecture of the campus," Lebra wrote. "The football program has proven, moreover, to foster a culture of sexism and misogyny where harassment and rape of women has occurred repeatedly."

She turned down the award.

Best Comment on the CU Recruiting Scandal

Joyce Lebra

When retired University of Colorado history professor Joyce Lebra learned that she'd be receiving the University Medal, a service award given by CU, she sent a letter to the Board of Regents. It was not a thank-you note. "The massive concrete stadium structure looming over the campus stands as a symbol of the gross distortion of priorities at the university and moreover is incongruent with the architecture of the campus," Lebra wrote. "The football program has proven, moreover, to foster a culture of sexism and misogyny where harassment and rape of women has occurred repeatedly."

She turned down the award.

Best Scandal -- Political

Senatorial hot potato

In the beginning, the Colorado campaign for the U.S. Senate was looking about as exciting as an election in pre-invasion Iraq. No one thought incumbent Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell could be defeated, least of all prominent Democrats, who treated their party's nomination like a case of SARS, to be avoided at all cost. But after Dem wild card Rutt Bridges, whose lack of name recognition was balanced by a surplus of disposable cash, finally volunteered for slaughter, all hell broke loose. First, Campbell aide Ginnie Kontnik resigned in the face of kickback accusations from former Campbell staffer Brian Thompson. Then, with a congressional investigation looming, Campbell used a case of acid reflux as rationale for retiring. His decision spawned the political equivalent of Survivor -- except in this case, the contestants were voting themselves out. Representative Mark Udall declared his candidacy one day, then undeclared the next. Bridges removed his hat from the ring, too, after Attorney General Ken Salazar, who'd previously expressed no interest in the race, changed his mind. That move, of course, was inspired by somewhat-freshly separated Governor Bill Owens just saying no, followed by a laundry list of conservative politicos -- including Bob Beauprez, Mike Coffman, Tom Tancredo and Jane Norton -- doing the same, leaving ex-Congressman Bob Schaffer as the last Republican standing.

The way it looks now, Salazar will snag the seat for the Democratic Party. Which is only fair, since Nighthorse Campbell was the one who took it away from the Dems a decade ago, when he changed political horses mid-term.

Best Scandal -- Political

Senatorial hot potato

In the beginning, the Colorado campaign for the U.S. Senate was looking about as exciting as an election in pre-invasion Iraq. No one thought incumbent Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell could be defeated, least of all prominent Democrats, who treated their party's nomination like a case of SARS, to be avoided at all cost. But after Dem wild card Rutt Bridges, whose lack of name recognition was balanced by a surplus of disposable cash, finally volunteered for slaughter, all hell broke loose. First, Campbell aide Ginnie Kontnik resigned in the face of kickback accusations from former Campbell staffer Brian Thompson. Then, with a congressional investigation looming, Campbell used a case of acid reflux as rationale for retiring. His decision spawned the political equivalent of Survivor -- except in this case, the contestants were voting themselves out. Representative Mark Udall declared his candidacy one day, then undeclared the next. Bridges removed his hat from the ring, too, after Attorney General Ken Salazar, who'd previously expressed no interest in the race, changed his mind. That move, of course, was inspired by somewhat-freshly separated Governor Bill Owens just saying no, followed by a laundry list of conservative politicos -- including Bob Beauprez, Mike Coffman, Tom Tancredo and Jane Norton -- doing the same, leaving ex-Congressman Bob Schaffer as the last Republican standing.

The way it looks now, Salazar will snag the seat for the Democratic Party. Which is only fair, since Nighthorse Campbell was the one who took it away from the Dems a decade ago, when he changed political horses mid-term.

Best Political Message

From Tracy Baker to Leesa Sale

Before the Arapahoe County Clerk's office was revealed to be the state's top passion pit, then-clerk Tracy Baker used office equipment to tell Leesa Sale, the woman he'd made his chief deputy assistant, of his admiration for her work. "Wet huh," he messaged her on January 24, 2002. "Get in here and we'll play a little dare game. I MUST HAVE YOU. I AM VERY UNSETTLED. PPLLEEAASSEE." Two years and the release of over a hundred of those messages later, Baker was recalled by the voters of Arapahoe County.

Best Political Message

From Tracy Baker to Leesa Sale

Before the Arapahoe County Clerk's office was revealed to be the state's top passion pit, then-clerk Tracy Baker used office equipment to tell Leesa Sale, the woman he'd made his chief deputy assistant, of his admiration for her work. "Wet huh," he messaged her on January 24, 2002. "Get in here and we'll play a little dare game. I MUST HAVE YOU. I AM VERY UNSETTLED. PPLLEEAASSEE." Two years and the release of over a hundred of those messages later, Baker was recalled by the voters of Arapahoe County.

Second-Best Political Message

From Leesa Sale to Tracy Baker

"Get your ass in here."

Days after Tracy Baker was recalled, Chief Deputy Assistant Leesa Sale was put on administrative leave from the clerk's office.

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