U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert apologized for her actions during a Sunday performance of the “Beetlejuice” musical in downtown Denver, where she was escorted out of the venue for vaping, recording and causing a disturbance.
In a statement released Friday night, Boebert said she did not remember vaping that evening but acknowledged her recollection “was not accurate.”
Boebert, R-Silt, initially denied reports that she vaped during the musical, but video footage of the Buell Theatre since published by the Associated Press and 9News shows her using a vape pen during the performance.
“The past few days have been difficult and humbling, and I’m truly sorry for the unwanted attention my Sunday evening in Denver has brought to the community,” Boebert said in a statement. “While none of my actions or words as a private citizen that night were intended to be malicious or meant to cause harm, the reality is they did and I regret that.”
Boebert’s statement referred to the challenging personal time she and her family are going through, including her divorce.
Boebert’s “Beetlejuice” encounter was made public through an incident report written by Denver Arts & Venues about two patrons who were asked to leave the city-owned Buell Theatre during a performance of the touring Broadway show.
The report did not name Boebert, but her campaign office confirmed she was escorted from the venue.
Venue officials received complaints from other attendees about Boebert and her companion and issued a warning during intermission. Boebert and her guest initially said they would not leave and told venue staff they would be contacting the mayor about the incident as they were escorted out of the theater.
In the statement, Boebert said it was not her or her campaign’s intention to mislead by denying that she vaped during the performance, but they understand the nature of how it looks.
“We know we will have to work to earn your trust back and it may not happen overnight, but we will do it,” Boebert said.
Boebert is running for a third term to represent Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District in 2024.
Denver Post reporter John Aguilar contributed to this report.
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