2001 Larimer sheriff's report surfaces in Colorado GOP Senate race

A Fourth of July party investigated by sheriff's deputies has become an issue in a Colorado Senate primary race because of how a candidate described what happened.

Republican Vicki Marble of Fort Collins filled out a candidate questionnaire for the Larimer County GOP that asked whether she had ever been arrested or accused of a crime or unethical behavior.

Her explanation about a misdemeanor summons she received paints a wildly different picture than a 22-page report from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office about what happened at the 2001 party.

Marble, of Fort Collins, faces state Rep. Glenn Vaad, R-Mead, in a race considered one of the hottest primary battles this cycle. Vaad has posted the sheriff's report on his campaign website, votevaad.com.

In response to the question from the Larimer GOP, Marble wrote "Summons: Unlawful Acts ? 2001: Dismissed," and added the following explanation:

"My son's friend came to our home after drinking. She was underage. Sheriff's deputies were called to the area for fireworks, which were not at my home. The deputies saw my son's friend who had been drinking and charged me with 'Unlawful Acts.' The case was dismissed."

The Larimer County sheriff's report shows deputies had received calls about fireworks that night, but also got a complaint about a drinking party at Marble's home, possibly involving people who were underage. Deputies found two kegs, a passed-out 15-year-old who later told them she got drunk at Marble's party, and an 18-year-old who told them he drank 25 beers at the party, according to the report.

Marble said Thursday she hosted a barbecue attended by "lots of parents and families" and that "some kids who were not invited came."

Asked why her explanation was so different than the report, she said the party was more than a decade ago, she doesn't remember all the details and she has not read the report.

Marble was cited for providing alcohol to a minor, a Class 2 misdemeanor. The charge was dismissed by the district attorney in 2002, court records show. A DA spokeswoman said the case is so old, it has been purged, so she doesn't know why it was dismissed.

At that time, Marble's last name was Donoho. She still lives at the same address, according to the secretary of state.

Marble said digging up a 10-year-old police report is "part of politics, I guess."

Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327 or lbartels@denverpost.com

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