Laura Gonzalez, 38, has been charged with harassment and retaliation against Boulder Councilman Matt Benjamin after an altercation between Gonzalez, Benjamin, and Benjamin’s wife, Jessica, that occurred at Civic Park on September 3. Gonzalez’s shoulder allegedly collided with Jessica during the argument, which caused her to lose her balance.
Benjamin told Boulder Police that Gonzalez was retaliating and harassing him for voting against a ceasefire declaration and a resolution to divest from companies that do business with Israel. The Boulder Police Department took Gonzalez into custody on September 5 and was held on suspicion of felony retaliation against a judge or elected official. Gonzalez was released at night on September 5 on a $3,000 cash bond.
Boulder County DA Michael Dougherty told CBS News, "In 2021, as a result of a strong bipartisan effort, Colorado joined other states in putting protections in place for elected officials and their families. It is a felony offense because of the chilling effect that such conduct may have on government and the threat it can pose to our democracy. A genuine threat, or act, of physical harm is not protected by freedom of speech and, whenever someone crosses that line, the rule of law should and will be enforced."
The Boulder Police Department said it is sharing the details of this investigation and charge against Gonzalez because it involves an elected city council member. Gonzalez is facing a felony retaliation charge for this interaction that allegedly included threats of physical harm and calling Councilman Benjamin a “baby-killer.”
Gonzalez also faces a misdemeanor harassment charge for allegedly using a megaphone to yell “derogatory comments and taunts” at the victim on August 21 in the 1700 block of Broadway.
The war in Gaza has been the focal point of other disagreements between citizens and Boulder City councilmembers, as Councilor Taishya Adams was investigated in February by the Fort Collins City Attorney’s Office in February after a complaint alleged that Adams unlawfully blocked a citizen from her Instagram account related to a difference of opinion on the war in Gaza. Adams was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
Last week, in a separate incident, a woman was cited for harassment after an alleged physical altercation happened outside the Greeley City Council chambers.
