State Rep. Steve Lebsock said Saturday he'll issue a statement before the end of the month about his bid to lead the Colorado Department of the Treasury and his current position serving Federal Heights, Northglenn, Thornton and Westminster.
The announcement comes after widespread reports from female lawmakers, lobbyists and staff members accusing Lebsock, a Thornton Democrat, of sexual harassment. Following the reports, the state's top Democrats called for the District 34 representative to resign.
Lebsock initially said in a statement Friday that he did not remember the allegations made by state Rep. Faith Winter, a Westminster Democrat, accusing him of unwanted sexual advances, crude remarks and increasing aggression.
"I am sincerely sorry for offending my colleague Faith Winter," he said. "I have done nothing that can be described as criminal. Nothing."
In the statement sent Saturday, Lebsock apologized to Winter again as well as former animal welfare lobbyist Holly Tarry and former legislative aide Cassie Tanner who also came forward with allegations against him.
"The best thing we can do with our lives is to relieve someone's pain. If that is true, and I believe it to be true. Then, the worst thing we can do in our life is cause someone pain. Last night, I realized the pain I have caused Faith, Holly and Cassie," he said.
KUNC, a public radio station based in northern Colorado, first reported on widespread accusations of sexual harassment against Lebsock on Friday. After the report, Lebsock's campaign manager, Kirsten Boyd, resigned in a show of support to the women accusing Lebsock saying on Facebook she hopes that "if you have endorsed or supported him that you reconsider your allegiance."
Nationwide, women have been coming forward to denounce and share personal stories about sexual assault and harassment after misconduct allegations surfaced about film producer Harvey Weinstein in the New York Times last month.
