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Welcome back to The Spot, where The Denver Post’s politics team captures what’s happening this week — from the Colorado legislature to Denver city hall, with a stop through the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C. Each聽Thursday, our reporters and editors will break down what we’ve covered and what to watch for in the days ahead. This is our third version of this newsletter ().

Here’s what’s been making headlines:

Sexual harassment was again the focus of the news cycle in the past week, with Democratic leadership in the state House moving to expel embattled Rep. Steve Lebsock after 11 accusations of misconduct by five women were found to be credible (We have a vote tracker on that decision that’s being updated constantly).

Meanwhile, we teamed up with television station Denver7 on a story about how Denver Mayor Michael Hancock sent inappropriate texts in 2012 to a female police detective in his security detail.

In terms of policy, state lawmakers weighed several big-ticket bills and the Regional Transportation District is considering some big fare changes.

We also had some great coverage of this year’s hotly contested race for Colorado governor that you won’t want to miss.

NEW: Rep. Lebsock says he will fight the resolution to expel him. 鈥淚 will not be expelled.鈥�

— John Frank (@ByJohnFrank)

ROLL CALL

COLORADO: THE STATEHOUSE & BEYOND

• Cynthia Coffman’s conundrum: Democrats fear her in the general election for Colorado governor, but Republicans may not let her on the ballot. Reporters and took a deep dive on this story.
• After his son was killed in the Aurora theater shooting, he ran for state legislature and lost. Now, Tom Sullivan is trying again.
• Guns are emerging as a top issue in the Democratic primary for governor, as Michael Johnston debuts his first TV ad and Jared Polis flip-flops on support for assault weapons ban.
• Colorado lawmakers were unwilling to block HOA’s from banning big dogs in a bill that literally had legislators barking.
• A bill inspired by fallen Colorado State Patrol Trooper Cody Donahue is heading to the governor’s desk.
• The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce took a big step last week toward asking voters to raise taxes for transportation. But the coalition that backed last year’s proposed tax hike is showing signs of fraying, and even some supporters are worried the plan might fail.

Vote to expel a lawmaker

• The state House will vote Friday on whether to expel Rep. Steve Lebsock, D-Thornton, after sexual harassment complaints against him were found to be credible.
• House Majority Leader KC Becker聽on Tuesday聽released the latest and most detailed accounting of the accusations against the Democratic lawmaker, ranging from innuendo to explicit requests for sex. Warning:聽The documents attached to the bottom of the story are riddled with profanity.
• Also, we have created a vote tracker to keep tabs on where lawmakers stand on Friday’s vote. We will update this page constantly.

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DENVER & THE SUBURBS

• The El Paso County sheriff’s office is facing an ACLU lawsuit over its handling of people living in the U.S. illegally who are in their jail.
• The question of what kind of fare discounts should be given to youth and low-income families who ride RTD — and whether those discounts will trigger a rise in fares for everyone else — now heads to the agency’s board of directors for a final decision.
  • Whether fares increase on RTD’s buses and trains is still unknown, but people generally aren’t happy when the price of riding transit goes up. Here was the reaction three years ago, when RTD last bumped up the cost of a ride.
• One more piece of RTD news in case you haven’t had enough: A state official ruled last week that the union representing the majority of RTD employees may not strike. Bring in the mediator as contract talks continue.
• Speaking of transportation, a lawsuit from a company linked to聽Wynkoop Brewing Co. and the Cherry Cricket alleges聽a former Denver airport executive took bribes and rigged the bidding process for a major concession.
• South Korea’s Winter Olympics has come to a close, but the prospect of a Denver-hosted Olympic Games in 2030 continues to dominate local discussion. We聽took a look at how much that might cost, and whether Denver could really pay for hosting duties privately.
• A coffee shop creatively named The Coffee Joint聽will become Denver’s first business聽to allow vaping and consumption of edible marijuana products after receiving approval聽Monday聽for the city’s first license for an adult-only, bring-your-own-cannabis consumption area.
• Denver City Council President Albus Brooks聽also was on the hot seat聽in the last week, facing a new campaign complaint. A Denver-based group took issue with the use of city resources and social media accounts to promote a birthday fundraiser Brooks is holding next month.

Sexual harassment allegations against Denver’s mayor

• • 础听bombshell hit Denver Mayor Michael Hancock this week聽when a Denver police detective alleged that he sexually harassed her by sending several suggestive text messages when she served on his security detail six years ago, during his first year in office. Hancock apologized publicly for what he called “inappropriate” exchanges in response to the story, which was first reported by Denver7聽Tuesday聽night. The political fallout could become more clear in coming weeks, as Hancock heads toward a potential bid for a third term in May 2019.
  • So far,聽the聽brewing sexual harassment scandal聽 from several City Council members. While some critics are calling on Hancock to resign, no city official has joined that chorus. But聽the聽issue has raised questions about both Hancock’s re-election bid next year and any longer-term political aspirations.

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D.C. POLITICS FROM A COLORADO PERSPECTIVE

• • • Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper wants to hit the brakes on President Trump’s wishes to arm teachers, saying “this is not something they鈥檇 be good at.鈥�
    • U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, says he will revive an effort to force a vote on a DACA extension if there’s no solution for young immigrants protected by the program before Monday.
    • Hickenlooper, who has been in Washington a lot lately, said he would consider work requirements for Medicaid recipients,聽a position that puts him聽at odds with many members of his own party. Mark Matthews, our man in the nation’s capitol, has that story.
    • For the first time since the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre, most Americans believe mass shootings can be stopped, according to a new poll.
    • Trump wants to expand short-term health insurance plans. That could hit some Coloradans in the wallet, according to a new report.

THE WIRE

Here are some stories from around the state, region and U.S. we think you should check out:

• • • State Sen. Randy Baumgarnder’s hometown newspaper following news about the sexual harassment complaint against the Hot Sulphur Springs Republican. — The Steamboat Today
    • There are plans to add more lanes to the west side of Vail Pass. There’s just one problem:聽. — The Vail Daily
    • Democratic state lawmakers a pair of anti-abortion bills from the GOP. — The Pueblo Chieftain
    • A look at on the state level is so complicated. — Stateline
    • The story that swims against the tide: — Politico
    • A story that explains how Democrats are struggling for a line of attack ahead of the 2018 elections. — The Associated Press
    • While Colorado hasn’t found the political will to solve its $9 billion transportation problem, Kentucky is and a fee on electric vehicles to plug a funding hole of a mere $1 billion. — The Associated Press
    • Radio station KUNC has a look at at the Colorado Capitol. (Listen to it below.)聽— KUNC

GET IN TOUCH

Questions, comments, feedback about this newsletter? Send them my way.

And thanks for reading!