“Keep the press out of this”: Police release footage of Colorado Republican leader’s 2022 DUI arrest

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The top Republican in the Colorado House of Representatives asked a state trooper not to disclose his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol to the media as he was sitting in the back of a police vehicle.

“If there’s anything we can do to kind of keep the press out of this, that would be great,” House Minority Leader Mike Lynch said, according to footage from inside of a Colorado State Patrol vehicle during the arrest in September 2022.

The State Patrol released the footage Friday to The Colorado Sun in response to an open records request.

Lynch’s arrest didn’t become public until Wednesday, when it was reported by The Denver Post. The news comes a few weeks after he announced a bid to represent Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, which spans the state’s Eastern Plains into Loveland and Douglas County. 

Lynch was driving an electric Ford Mustang Mach-E when he was pulled over by a state trooper on Interstate 25 between Fort Collins and Wellington on Sept. 30, 2022, for speeding. He was traveling 90 mph in a 75 mph zone, according to a summons.

A trooper smelled alcohol on Lynch’s breath, and the Wellington lawmaker’s blood-alcohol level, when tested by a Breathalyzer, was about 0.16 — double the state’s driving limit of 0.08. 

Colorado House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, R-Wellington addresses attendees during a rally, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, outside the State Capitol in downtown Denver. Lynch, who is also running for a seat in Congress, was arrested in 2022 on suspicion of drunken driving and possession of a gun while intoxicated — an episode that stayed under wraps until the The Denver Post reported it Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

The video footage shows that when the trooper asked Lynch if he would be willing to do roadside maneuvers to test if he was intoxicated, he immediately asked the officer to call Mike Honn. Honn is the Colorado State Patrol’s legislative liaison — effectively a lobbyist — at the Capitol. 

“Who is Mike Honn?” the trooper asked Lynch.

“Uh, nevermind,” Lynch said. “Yes, sir. I will do whatever you want me to do.”

“Who is Mike?” the trooper asked.

“Mike is a captain with the State Patrol,” Lynch said.

“Why do you want me to call Mike?” the trooper asked.

“Nope, I don’t want you to call anybody. I’m sorry. I did not say that,” Lynch said.

“Well, you did,” the trooper said, laughing. “I take it you’re friends with Mike.”

“Yes,” Lynch said. “I’m a state representative.”

Lynch then appeared to try to tell the trooper not to suggest that he was seeking special treatment.

Lynch was charged with driving under the influence, speeding 10-19 mph over the speed limit and being in possession of a gun while drunk. He pleaded guilty to driving while ability impaired, a lesser offense, and the gun charge. Prosecutors dropped the other charges. 

The representative was sentenced in December 2022 to 18 months probation and 150 hours of community service. Lynch told The Sun he still has some community service hours to complete and that his probation term — during which he is prohibited from possessing a gun — will end in June.

Lynch is one of nearly a dozen Republican candidates running to represent the 4th District, including U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, state Rep. Richard Holtorf and former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg. 

This is a developing story that will be updated.