This story was produced by the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at .
Lawmakers in the Colorado House of Representatives, many donning purple, the color used to raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault, voted nearly unanimously Tuesday to condemn a former lawmaker for taking and sharing a picture of a Democratic colleague last legislative session without her knowledge or permission.
Former Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, who took the photo, resigned abruptly from the legislature last week in an apparent attempt to avoid a more serious reprimand.
Armagost shared the photo of Democratic Rep. Yara Zokaie of Fort Collins in a Republican House caucus group chat on the encrypted messaging app Signal in April where fellow Republicans piled on with . Armagost deleted his comments before .
The photo was then circulated on social media, leading to harassment and threats against Zokaie.
The resolution passed Tuesday condemning Armagost said he 鈥渇ailed to uphold decorum of the House of Representatives,鈥� and that his actions were 鈥渋ncompatible with the dignity of this body.鈥�
鈥淗is resignation does not erase the harm caused,鈥� the resolution said.
The measure also called on all members of the House to treat each other respectfully.
The resolution passed 59-2, with all but two Republicans joining all Democrats in the chamber in voting 鈥測es.鈥�
Armagost has refused to answer reporters鈥� questions about the incident and has not apologized for his actions.
Democratic state senators, many also wearing purple in solidarity with Zokaie, visited the House floor for the debate on the resolution.
Zokaie told colleagues that Armagost鈥檚 actions led to harassment that escalated quickly and included threats made against her children鈥檚 lives.
鈥淭his is a culture that is designed to silence women, but it will not silence me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t sends a message to women in politics everywhere they are to stay out, to stop speaking up and to not run in the first place, and that is exactly why we have to stand against it.鈥�
While the resolution was focused on the image of Zokaie and Armagost鈥檚 actions, it devolved into a tense confrontation between House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, and House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs.
Duran had earlier accused Pugliese of refusing to reveal that Armagost had taken the photo. (Democrats learned who took the picture after reviewing security camera footage captured in the House.) Pugliese had denied that claim.
On Tuesday, Pugliese apologized to Zokaie for the image that was taken of her and the crude comments made by members of her caucus in the group chat, but she attacked Duran and other Democrats for calling her integrity into question.
鈥淚 am not a liar,鈥� Pugliese said on the House floor, staring at Duran. 鈥淭hat is not fair, that is not right, and you all know it.鈥�
Pugliese then accused Duran of withholding who took the photo from Zokaie because Duran was working on a bill with Armagost. Many in the House let out audible groans in response.
Duran, in refuting Pugliese from the House floor, said Pugliese chose an inappropriate moment for the confrontation.
鈥淭he point of this day and this moment is to acknowledge what one of your members did to a member of mine,鈥� Duran said. 鈥淚f you want to talk about your character 鈥� or your lack of character and honesty 鈥� let鈥檚 have that conversation. But I will not have that conversation here in this moment.鈥�
Pugliese then stormed out of the House chambers.
Pugliese returned to vote 鈥測es鈥� on the resolution. The lone 鈥渘o鈥� votes came from Republican Reps. Ken DeGraaf and Brandi Bradley.
The resolution was a more subdued punishment for Armagost than Democrats had planned.
On Thursday, the first day of the special legislative session to address a massive funding gap in the state鈥檚 budget, Democrats in the House announced they would for his actions. Armagost resigned .
The legislature has not censured a lawmaker since 2008.
House rules allow for the censure of sitting members, but don鈥檛 offer a route for the chamber to censure former lawmakers. Nevertheless, the legislature has broad powers to bring resolutions like the one condemning Armagost.
In a social media post Sunday, Armagost compared himself to an eagle fending off an attack from a crow.
鈥淚 will continue to be the patriot that flies above the nonsense for a greater good and serve at a higher level,鈥� he wrote, alongside a picture of a crow biting an eagle and four emojis: 鈥滒煢� 馃嚭馃嚫 馃敨 馃憡鈥�.
. He said he was leaving to pursue a job and personal relationship in Arizona.
He never appeared at the Capitol for the special session and was marked excused on Thursday before submitting a brief resignation letter.
Colorado Sun staff writer contributed to this report.
