Colorado Sen. Baumgardner, Accused Of Misconduct, Is Sanctioned

<p>(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)</p>
<p>Colorado state Sen. Randy Baumgardner, R-Hot Sulphur Springs, listens to debate on the Senate floor in March 2018.</p>
Photo: Sen. Randy Baumgardner March 2018 (AP Photo)
Colorado state Sen. Randy Baumgardner, R-Hot Sulphur Springs, listens to debate on the Senate floor in March 2018.

A Colorado state Republican senator has been stripped of his committee assignments following new allegations of sexual and workplace harassment.

Sen. Randy Baumgardner was sanctioned after an independent investigator found credible claims by eight people that he created a hostile work environment during the 2016 session.

Senate President Kevin Grantham announced the decision in a letter to legislative leaders on Wednesday. The letter was released Thursday.

KUNC-FM first reported the claims — and earlier claims that Baumgardner groped a former legislative aide in 2016. That case led to a failed Senate vote to expel him on April 2.

Baumgardner, who represents several northwestern Colorado counties, wasn't at the Capitol Thursday and wasn't immediately available to comment.

He had denied wrongdoing.