House Speaker Julie McCluskie reprimanded Rep. Elisabeth Epps, the Denver Democrat who joined pro-Palestinian protesters in the gallery and at one point called fellow lawmakers “fascist,” issuing a a sternly-worded warning that such actions in the future could lead to more serious consequences.

Epps won’t face a censure. 

In her letter, McCluskie identified six violations of House rules committed by Epps during the November special session, which included name calling during a second-reading debate and shouting down from the gallery to House members; disrupting the business of the House for an hour; disregarding instructions from the State Patrol and House sergeants by refusing to leave the gallery once it was closed; and, disrespecting both the chair of the Committee of the Whole during a debate and the Speaker Pro tem during voting.

Epps joined pro-Palestinian protesters in the House gallery on the last day of the special session, after attempting to put an amendment – on a bill dealing with a summer federal lunch program –  to bar the state from purchasing foods for the summer program from Israel, such as hummus.

McCluskie wrote that it is both the number and severity of the transgressions that prompted the reprimand. McCluskie also removed Epps from the House Judiciary Committee last month.

Any repeat of that, or similar, behavior could result in more severe consequences from members of the House, McCluskie warned.

In a statement on Monday, McCluskie added, “As legislators, we are called upon to engage in the process of crafting legislation with civility, respect and in collaboration with one another. House rules, including those related to decorum, prohibit interruptions and disrespectful behavior to promote civility in the legislative process, a fair shake for every lawmaker and an equal voice for their constituents at the Capitol.”

“Representative Epps severely violated several rules on multiple occasions, which is why I removed her from the Judiciary Committee and after thoughtful review, have determined a formal reprimand in this form is appropriate,” the speaker said. 

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, R-Wellington is calling for the more severe punishment – a formal censure by the House. That hasn’t happened since 2009, when Rep. Douglas Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, was censured for kicking a Rocky Mountain News photographer on the floor of the House and during morning prayer.

A statement from the House GOP, attributed to Lynch, said the disruptive actions of one House member that targeted the religious beliefs of another lawmaker cannot be tolerated.

That’s a reference to an exchange between Epps and Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland, who is Jewish. Epps, who was in the House gallery at the time, shouted down at Weinberg while he was trying to address the House. 

McCluskie’s office also released a letter Monday sent in August to Lynch regarding the behavior of Rep. Scott Bottoms, R-Colorado Springs. 

McCluskie noted Bottoms made derogatory comments about fellow lawmakers in a town hall last May. Bottoms reportedly called his colleagues “pedophiles,” demeaned a member’s identity, insulted “the physical attributes” of a member, and accused another of “race-baiting.” 

“These comments violated our expectations of communicating in a professional and respectful manner,” McCluskie told Lynch. “It is unacceptable to speak of elected officials this way during an official event of a state representative.” 

McCluskie also noted that Bottoms had referred to his colleagues as “fascists” during House business in March. 

She asked Lynch to direct Bottoms to the General Assembly’s Office of Workplace Relations to review the legislature’s policy on workplace harassment and expectations. His behavior “will not be tolerated under the rules,” she wrote.

Epps did not return a request for comment, nor did she respond to similar requests by Colorado Public Radio and the Colorado Sun.