August 21, 2025 12:47 PM UTC

House Dems To Censure "Raunchy" Ryan Armagost On His Way Out The Door

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• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE: Rather than face a censure vote, the Colorado Sun’s Jesse Paul reports that Rep. Ryan Armagost has resigned effective immediately:

State Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, was already set to leave the legislature Sept. 1 to pursue a job and personal relationship in Arizona. His resignation spares him the embarrassment of being censured by Democrats on Friday for taking a picture of a Democratic colleague last legislative session without her knowledge or permission…

[Rep. Yara] Zokaie said Armagost never apologized to her.

“Rep. Armagost chose to walk away rather than face accountability for his actions,” she said of his resignation. “Resigning may remove him from this chamber, but it does not erase the harm he caused or the responsibility he bears for perpetuating a culture of violence against women.”

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As Colorado Public Radio’s Bente Birkeland reports, GOP Rep. Ryan Armagost, who is in the process of resigning from the Colorado House to pursue personal and vocational opportunities in Arizona, will not escape punishment for behavior targeting a female colleague that may have contributed to Armagost’s decision to leave his career in politics behind:

Colorado House Democrats will attempt to censure Republican Rep. Ryan Armagost, the former House Minority Whip, this week for taking a picture of Democratic Rep. Yara Zokaie last session without her knowledge during floor proceedings.

The photograph ended up at the center of a social media harassment campaign.

In the censure resolution, Democrats said Armagost behaved inappropriately and in a manner “incompatible with the high standards of order, dignity, and respect of the House of Representatives.”

Armagost shared the picture internally among Republican House members immediately after taking it. Some lawmakers compared her outfit — a short dress and blazer with knee-high boots — to a stripper and a prostitute…

Armagost’s photo of Rep. Yara Zokaie was subjected to the kind of juvenile sexist disparagement that the veil of anonymity on social media usually brings out in people–but unfortunately, also among fellow Republican lawmakers in a private Signal channel. Some of those lawmakers apologized once their remarks were leaked to the news media.

Other Republicans like Rep. “Boxwine” Brandi Bradley were more upset about the leak than the sexist comments.

Either way, a censure during Rep. Armagost’s final few days in office will ensure that his conduct isn’t buried by his departure, and will be a mark on his record in any future attempt at public office. Armagost has steadfastly refused to offer any comment about his actions, let alone an apology, so a censure probably is the only way to obtain some manner of closure. GOP House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, who appears to have helped cover for Armagost when Democrats came to her demanding action, has demonstrated she has no intention of requiring better from her caucus.

The only road back begins with some accountability, which in this case could come in the form of a censure.