Critics call for Bruce's resignation after remark

DENVER - Criticism over Rep. Douglas Bruce's "illiterate peasants" comments intensified Tuesday, with two Hispanic groups calling for his resignation as the guest workers bill that inspired his remarks passed the House by a large margin.

Critics said they had no plans to file a formal complaint that could lead to an ethics investigation into his action, however.

Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, drew gasps Monday when he read a statement that the state didn't need to pass the bill and have "5,000 more illiterate peasants in Colorado." Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, refused to let him speak for the rest of the debate.

Tuesday, the Latino Faith-Based Initiative, the Democratic Party Latino Initiative and Bruce's primary opponent, Mark Waller, all called for him to resign.

Butch Montoya, director of the Latino Faith-Based Initiative, said that if the Legislature did not move to censure, discipline or expel Bruce soon, he would organize rallies at the Capitol until Hispanics' voices are heard.

"I think a lot of people are just flabbergasted and offended that that kind of comment can be made in 2008," Montoya said.

Other groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, also expressed criticism, but each deferred to legislators about filing a complaint that would be needed to kick-start ethics hearings.

Meanwhile, critics including Rep. Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, continued to characterize Bruce's remarks with terms like "outrageous" and "bigotry," but said they didn't merit expulsion because they fall under the category of free speech.

"If we filed an ethics complaint against a member every time they said something that somebody didn't like, there wouldn't be a lot of members down here," House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, said.

Bruce, who has forged a reputation as a lone wolf in the four months since he was appointed to the House District 15 seat, will have one less ally when he returns home.

Rep. Stella Garza Hicks, a Colorado Springs Republican who supported him for his appointment, asked him to take her name off his list of endorsers, saying she wants "nothing to do with a hypocrite like him."

Lost in the furor over the remarks was the fact that some said they think those remarks helped HB1325 pass 46-18, with GOP Reps. Victor Mitchell and Amy Stephens being the only other Pikes Peak-area legislators to vote against it.

May said several party members told him they were on the fence before Bruce issued his statement but ended up supporting it because they didn't want to be seen as coming down on the same side as him.

The measure would create a state-run pilot plan to expedite a federal program that brings foreign farmworkers into the country each year.

Sponsoring Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, said it's vital the state work to find labor at a time Colorado farmers are having difficulties because of a lack of help.

Bruce, meanwhile, basked in the attention, saying that of the 700 phone calls and e-mails he got from across the nation, more than 95 percent backed him. He continued to say his statements did not disparage any particular racial or ethnic group.

"All I've been guilty of is telling the truth, and the people around here can't stand someone telling the truth," Bruce said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: (303) 837-0613 or ed.sealover@gazette.com