Colorado State Representatives have apparently decided the best way to oppose a bill designed to help the disabled is to attack the intelligence.
Tuesday, Rep. Richard Holtorf (R) spoke out against HB23-1032, a bill that clarifies remedies for people with disabilities who have rights under Colorado’s current law on discrimination in public spaces.
Holtorf felt strongly that the bill was a bad idea for Colorado residents who protested by … using the “Spanish” law?
As RawStory put it, said Holtorf Colorado does not need additional protection for people with disabilities against discrimination because Spain does not allow participants in the famous “running of the bulls” in Pamplona sue if they are injured.
“If you’re dumb enough to get on this road and run eight blocks, ten blocks and run in the ring and you’re sick, you have it,” he said. “And that’s Spanish law.”
“There’s no accountability, there’s no lawsuit, you can’t do anything,” he said. “Because you are responsible for the risks you take during this bull run.”
As you can see in the clip below, Holtorf really likes them.
HuffPost reached out to Holtorf for comment, but he did not immediately respond.
However, Rep. David Ortiz (D), the author of the bill that Holtorf criticized, tore into his fellow Republican’s response on Twitter.
Ortiz, who became paralyzed while serving as a helicopter pilot in the United States Army, said, # usually and the indifference exhibited here against the community living with disabilities and any movement that tries and takes place to secure human rights and #basic access amazing.”
Another deputy also condemned Holtorf’s comments.
Non-politicians also called.
In more shocking political news, this isn’t the first time Holtorf has said or done something offensive or dangerous.
Last May, he was reprimanded after calling his friend “Buckwheat” during a legislative stimulus measure debate.
In March 2022, he tripped while rushing to the House chamber to vote, causing his gun to fall to the ground. Fortunately, the gun did not go off, and no one was injured.
In February 2021, he was heavily criticized after he told another lawmaker whose son was killed in an Aurora theater, “You have to let it go.”