DENVER — A state lawmaker who was arrested on St. Patrick’s Day for allegedly driving drunk publicly apologized for his actions on Monday and asked for forgiveness.
Democratic Rep. Dan Pabon choked back tears as he addressed his colleagues at the State Capitol. Pabon said he had four or five beers on St. Patrick’s Day.
“Clearly it was one beer too many,” Pabon said.
It started at Sam’s No. 3 Diner in downtown, Pabon said. He had a few drinks there, then had another drink at a craft beer, wine, liquor event at the Governor’s Mansion.
Pabon was pulled over by a Denver police officer at Glenarm Place and West Colfax Avenue.
“I had too much to drink and I got behind the wheel. It’s a mistake I truly regret and I’m embarrassed by,” Pabon said.
Pabon said he wants to continue serving as a state representative and doesn’t plan to resign from his position. He said he wants to run for re-election, but realizes that might not be possible.
Aside from facing a DUI charge, Pabon was also charged with having the wrong license plates on his car. It will be a few weeks before Pabon learns his fate from a judge.
Pabon said he had never driven drunk before.
“I’ve never been pulled over for this or ever issued any kind of DUI citation,” he said.