State Sen. Faith Winter was legally drunk, caused wreck that killed her

Driving the news: Winter, a 45-year-old Broomfield Democrat, had a blood alcohol level of 0.185% — double the legal limit of 0.08% for driving under the influence, authorities said.

• The crash happened at 6:05pm Nov. 26 in the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 near Dry Creek Road.
• Investigators noted the pickup truck was stopped and did not have visible taillights, but still found Winter at fault. The wreck involved just two cars, not the five cars originally reported.

Catch up quick: Winter served for a decade in the state legislature and played a key role in major legislation, including transportation and paid family leave.

• In 2017, she helped to expose endemic sexual harassment at the state Capitol.

Years later, she attended a community meeting while intoxicated, prompting her colleagues to launch an investigation and determine she had violated the Senate's ethics policy.

• She stepped down from her committee leadership position to seek treatment for alcohol abuse in 2024.