Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, is entering a rehab facility tied to alcohol use, according to multiple sources.

Winter, who is in her second and final term in the state Senate, has been battling a number of health issues, including an auto-immune disorder, over the past year. She also suffered a traumatic brain injury last year after hitting a curb while riding her bicycle to the state Capitol. That injury required surgery.

But a recent incident in the state Senate, where she fell down multiple times, led to more concerns of possible alcohol use from her Senate colleagues and other Capitol observers.

Wednesday night, she appeared at a Northglenn City Council meeting, to participate in a discussion around aMental Health Transitional Living Home proposed for the city. She appeared to be intoxicated, sources told Colorado Politics.

At least two people watching the meeting also questioned whether she was intoxicated. 

During the three-hour meeting, Winter was jeered and booed by the audience, who noticed that she was on her cellphone while people were stating their opposition to the home. At one point during public comment, Winter interrupted while a citizen was voicing an opinion and Northglenn Mayor Meredith Leighty had to intervene. 

Northglenn police confirmed that Winter was not able to drive home after the meeting.

“After multiple individuals expressed concern about Senator Winter, we felt it was prudent to suggest she find a ride home,” wrote spokesperson James Burlison in an email. 

Winter, who represents Northglenn as part of Adams County, was a co-sponsor of House Bill 22-1303 which, in 2022, directed the DHS and the Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing to create, develop or contract to add at least 125 additional beds at mental health residential facilities throughout the state for adults in need of ongoing supportive service.

She issued a statement through the Senate Democrats’ office, stating, “I deeply regret my behavior last night. I made a mistake and I’m truly sorry for any inconvenience or discomfort I caused.”

“I take full responsibility for my actions and I am committed to making things right. I especially apologize to the City of Northglenn and the citizens that came out. I deeply care about your thoughts and community. I am now under the care of medical professionals and receiving treatment for my substance abuse disorder,” she said. 

Winter announced she would step down from the chair position on the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee “in order to focus on my health.”

“I apologize to anyone who was affected by my actions and I appreciate your understanding,” she said, adding she then asked for privacy for herself and her family. 

The rumors of alcohol abuse have been swirling around Winter for more than a year.

Winter was excused from the state Senate on Thursday, the first day of Senate debate on the 2024-25 state budget. She has been a power player in the state Senate, carrying some of the Democrats’ most progressive bills, including on family and medical leave and major transportation legislation.

Winter is a former member of Westminster City Council. She was first elected to the state House in 2015, serving two terms before running for the state Senate in 2018. She was elected Assistant Senate Majority Leader last September. 

The Denver Gazette’s Carol McKinley, who attended the Northglenn meeting, contributed to this report.