History of Lauren Boebert in Timeline
Lauren Opal Boebert is a U.S. representative for Colorado's 3rd congressional district, serving since 2021. Before her political career, she owned Shooters Grill, a restaurant known for its pro-gun stance, with staff encouraged to openly carry firearms. Her background highlights her strong advocacy for gun rights.
1967: Law Exempting Congress Members from Capitol Hill Firearms Ban
In 1967, a law was passed exempting members of Congress from the Capitol Hill ban on firearms. This allowed them to keep arms in their offices, a provision that Lauren Boebert strongly advocated for in 2021.
December 19, 1986: Lauren Boebert is born
Lauren Boebert is born in Altamonte Springs, Florida on December 19, 1986.
2001: Boebert's Mother Registers to Vote as a Republican
Records show Boebert's mother registered to vote in Colorado as a Republican from 2001 to 2013.
2003: Boebert's Family Moves to Rifle, Colorado
Boebert and her family settle in Rifle, Colorado in 2003.
February 2004: Domestic Violence Incident and Arrest of Jayson Boebert
In February 2004, Boebert's husband, Jayson Boebert, was arrested and charged with assaulting and harassing her. This incident occurred while they were living in Silt, Colorado, with their four sons.
November 2004: Conviction of Jayson Boebert
In November 2004, Jayson Boebert was convicted for his actions in the February 2004 domestic violence incident involving Lauren Boebert.
2004: Boebert Drops Out of High School
Boebert drops out of high school during her senior year in 2004 after having a baby.
2006: Boebert Registers to Vote as a Democrat
At age 19, Boebert registers to vote as a Democrat in 2006.
2007: Boebert Marries Jayson Boebert
Boebert marries Jayson Boebert in 2007.
2008: Boebert Switches Party Affiliation
Boebert changes her voter registration from Democrat to Republican in 2008.
2009: Boebert Becomes a Born-Again Christian
Boebert states she became a born-again Christian in 2009.
2012: Colorado Legalizes Marijuana
In 2012, Colorado voters approved an amendment legalizing marijuana in the state. This event later became a point of contention in Boebert's 2022 re-election campaign when she attempted to portray her primary opponent, Don Coram, as corrupt due to his support for hemp legalization, which had also been approved by Colorado voters.
2012: Establishment of Boebert Consulting LLC
Jayson Boebert registered Boebert Consulting LLC in 2012, marking the start of their family business.
2013: Shooters Grill Opens
Lauren Boebert and her husband open Shooters Grill in Rifle, Colorado in 2013.
2013: Boebert's Mother Switches Party Affiliation
Boebert's mother switches her voter registration from Republican to Democrat in 2013.
2013: Boebert Encourages Open Carry at Shooters Grill
Boebert encourages her staff to openly carry firearms at Shooters Grill in 2013.
May 2014: Boebert Begins Volunteering at Local Jail
Boebert begins volunteering at a local jail in May 2014.
2015: Boebert Opens Putters Restaurant
Boebert opens Putters Restaurant on Rifle Creek Golf Course in 2015.
2015: Detainment at Music Festival and Disorderly Conduct Citation
In 2015, Boebert was detained at a music festival for disrupting the arrest of underage drinkers, claiming it was unconstitutional. She reportedly encouraged resistance and boasted about connections with Fox News. While cited for disorderly conduct, the charge was eventually dropped due to low chances of conviction.
2015: Boebert's Mother Registers to Vote as a Democrat
Records show Boebert's mother registered to vote in Colorado as a Democrat from 2015 to 2020.
November 2016: Boebert Ends Volunteering at Local Jail
Boebert ends her volunteer work at the local jail in November 2016.
December 2016: Boebert Sells Putters Restaurant
Boebert sells Putters Restaurant in December 2016.
2016: Citations for Careless Driving and Unsafe Vehicle
Boebert received citations for careless driving and operating an unsafe vehicle in 2016, marking a series of legal troubles.
2016: Clinton-Lynch Tarmac Meeting
Boebert's tweet in June 2021 referenced the 2016 meeting between Bill Clinton and Loretta Lynch, which Christopher Sign had reported on.
February 13, 2017: Arrest for Failure to Appear in Court
On February 13, 2017, Boebert was arrested and jailed for failing to appear in court to address the careless driving and unsafe vehicle charges. She pleaded guilty to the unsafe vehicle charge, and the other charges were dismissed.
2017: Food Poisoning Outbreak at Garfield County Fair
In 2017, a food poisoning outbreak occurs at the Garfield County fair, caused by food served from a temporary location set up by Shooters Grill and Smokehouse 1776, leading to 80 people becoming ill.
2017: Jayson Boebert's Employment at Terra Energy
Jayson Boebert began working as an on-site drilling foreman for Terra Energy in 2017, providing drilling services through Boebert Consulting LLC.
September 2019: Boebert Confronts Beto O'Rourke
Boebert confronts Beto O'Rourke, a candidate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, at an Aurora town hall meeting, regarding his proposal for a buy-back program and a ban on assault-style rifles in September 2019.
September 2019: Boebert Aide's Association with Proud Boys
In September 2019, Sherronna Bishop, an aide and future campaign manager for Boebert, publicly expressed support for the Proud Boys in a video. She described the group as "pro-everything that makes America great." Bishop later left the campaign after Boebert won the Republican nomination.
December 2019: Boebert Organizes "We Will Not Comply!" Rally
Boebert helps organize the "We Will Not Comply!" rally in December 2019, opposing Colorado's red flag law.
December 2019: Lauren Boebert Launches Congressional Campaign
In December 2019, Lauren Boebert began her campaign to represent Colorado's 3rd congressional district. She challenged the incumbent, Scott Tipton, in the Republican primary. Boebert's campaign focused on criticizing progressive politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, positioning her as a conservative alternative.
2019: Boebert Challenges Tipton's Record
Throughout 2019, Boebert actively criticized Scott Tipton's voting record, arguing that it did not represent the views of his constituents. She accused him of supporting amnesty for undocumented immigrants and criticized his efforts regarding the Paycheck Protection Program funding.
2019: High Income from Terra Energy
In 2019, Jayson Boebert earned a substantial income of $460,000 as a consultant for Terra Energy.
2019: Boebert's Husband's Income in 2019
In 2019, Boebert's husband, Jayson, received $460,000 for his services as a consultant for Terra Energy. This information was not initially disclosed by Boebert but was later revealed in 2021 amidst an FEC investigation into her campaign finances.
2019: Shooters Grill Experiences Financial Loss
Shooters Grill reports a financial loss of $143,000 in 2019.
May 2020: Boebert Defies COVID-19 Closure Orders
Boebert protests and defies orders issued by Colorado Governor Jared Polis to close businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, leading to the temporary suspension of her food license.
May 2020: Boebert's Statement on QAnon
In May 2020, Boebert stated she was "very familiar" with the QAnon conspiracy theory, expressing hope that it was "real" for the sake of America's strength. While initially appearing to support the theory, she later distanced herself from it, claiming she wasn't a follower and advocating for investigations into "deep state activities."
August 2020: Boebert's Viral Gun Video
In August 2020, Lauren Boebert released a campaign advertisement that went viral, showing her carrying a handgun while walking around her neighborhood, including areas near federal buildings. While her spokesperson later clarified that she did not have a gun during the actual walk, the video solidified her image as a staunch gun rights advocate.
October 2020: Boebert's Campaign Denies Proud Boys Connection
In October 2020, Boebert's campaign denied any connections to the Proud Boys, distancing Boebert from Sherronna Bishop's earlier expressed views. They maintained that Boebert did not share Bishop's stance on the far-right group.
2020: Boebert Supports Overturning the 2020 Election Results
Boebert supports Donald Trump's claims that the 2020 election was stolen and votes to overturn the results during the Electoral College vote count in 2020.
2020: Shooters Grill Experiences Further Financial Loss
Shooters Grill reports a further financial loss of $226,000 in 2020.
2020: Boebert Elected to the US House of Representatives
Boebert wins the general election for Colorado's 3rd congressional district against Democratic nominee Diane Mitsch Bush in 2020.
2020: Boebert's Stance on Black Lives Matter and Capitol Riot
Boebert has consistently downplayed the severity of the January 6th Capitol attack while drawing comparisons between the rioters and participants in Black Lives Matter protests. She criticized the Justice Department for what she perceived as leniency towards those arrested during the BLM protests in 2020.
2020: Boebert Opposes Gun Ban in City-Owned Buildings
Boebert opposes a measure to ban guns in city-owned buildings at an Aspen City Council meeting in 2020.
2020: Boebert Earns GED Certificate
Boebert earns a GED certificate in 2020.
2020: Continued High Income from Terra Energy
Jayson Boebert's income from Terra Energy continued to be high in 2020, reaching $478,000.
2020: Boebert Fails to Disclose Husband's Income in 2020 Filing
In her 2020 financial disclosure filing, Boebert omitted her husband's income source, a violation of campaign finance and ethics laws that necessitate revealing immediate family's income to identify potential conflicts of interest. This omission only came to light a year later, when the FEC started investigating her campaign expenditures.
2020: Boebert's Mileage Claim Raises Concerns
In 2020, Boebert's reimbursement of $22,259 for mileage costs from her campaign funds raised questions about the legitimacy of the claimed travel distance. The figure would require her to have driven 38,712 miles, which ethics experts deemed suspicious. While Boebert's campaign claimed the figure was due to her extensive travel schedule, they failed to provide concrete evidence to support this claim.
2020: Boebert's Campaign Pledges
During her 2020 campaign, Boebert made pledges to oppose any federal budget that increases debt and to support a balanced budget amendment, reflecting her fiscal conservatism.
2020: Boebert Wins Congressional Election
Despite being outraised by her opponent, Mitsch Bush, Boebert won the 2020 election for Colorado's 3rd congressional district with 51.27% of the vote. Her victory was attributed to her strong support in conservative areas and her ability to appeal to themes of independence and rebellion.
2020: Boebert's Mother Switches Party Affiliation
Boebert's mother switches her voter registration from Democrat to Republican in 2020.
January 1, 2021: Boebert Advocates for Congressional Gun Rights
On January 1, 2021, Boebert joined a group of over 80 Republican lawmakers in urging House leaders to uphold a 1967 law allowing members of Congress to carry firearms within Capitol Hill offices. This move highlighted her strong advocacy for gun rights.
February 2021: Skipping Votes for CPAC Attendance
In February 2021, Boebert and a group of Republican House members skipped votes, claiming COVID-19 concerns, while actually attending the Conservative Political Action Conference. This action led to an ethics complaint filed by the Campaign for Accountability, prompting an investigation.
February 2021: Boebert's Bill on Oil and Gas Leases
In February 2021, Boebert introduced a bill to prevent executive moratoriums on oil and gas leases and permits on federal lands, reflecting her support for the energy industry.
February 2021: Boebert's Mileage Expenses Scrutinized
In February 2021, Boebert's claim of $22,259 in mileage reimbursements from her 2020 campaign finances was questioned for its suspiciously high figure, potentially indicating inflated travel claims. While her campaign attributed it to her "aggressive travel schedule," they did not provide supporting evidence. After facing scrutiny, Boebert's campaign reclassified a portion of the claimed mileage to "hotels" and Uber rides, adjusting the total claimed mileage to around 30,000 miles.
March 15, 2021: Boebert's Town Hall and QAnon Conspiracy
On March 15, 2021, Boebert, during a town hall, responded to a question about the arrest of Hillary Clinton and former officials, echoing a QAnon theory. She suggested that declassified documents would expose corruption and allow Republicans to retake Congress before 2022.
June 2021: Boebert Uses Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses
During June 2021, Boebert used over $6,000 from her 2022 reelection campaign funds for personal expenses, making four Venmo payments. Although her communications director acknowledged these were personal expenses mistakenly billed to the campaign, the incident raised concerns about potential misuse of campaign funds.
June 2021: Boebert's Advice on Delta Variant
In June 2021, as Mesa County experienced a rise in Delta variant cases, Boebert suggested that the way to make the variant "go away" was to "turn off CNN" and "vote Republican", a statement that drew significant criticism.
June 2021: Boebert's tweet on Christopher Sign's Death
Following the death of Christopher Sign in June 2021, Boebert tweeted, suggesting a connection between his death and the Clinton family, alluding to the Clinton body count conspiracy theory.
June 2021: Boebert Votes Against Congressional Gold Medal for Capitol Police
Boebert was one of 21 House Republicans to oppose awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6th, 2021. She cited the inclusion of officer Billy Evans, who died in an unrelated incident, as her reason for voting against the resolution.
August 2021: Boebert Discloses Husband's Income After FEC Inquiry
In August 2021, Boebert belatedly disclosed her husband's income after the Federal Election Commission (FEC) initiated an investigation into her campaign expenses. This disclosure was absent from her 2020 filing, which is required to reveal potential conflicts of interest. The filing revealed that her husband, Jayson, earned significant income in 2019 and 2020 as a consultant for a major natural gas producer. This raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to Boebert's position on the House Committee on Natural Resources, which oversees the energy industry.
August 2021: FEC Investigates Boebert's Campaign Spending
In August 2021, the FEC initiated an investigation into Boebert's campaign finances, focusing on the potential misuse of over $6,000 from her 2022 reelection campaign funds for personal expenses. These funds were used between May and June 2021 through Venmo payments.
August 2021: Boebert's Tweet on Taliban and Build Back Better
In August 2021, after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, Boebert posted a tweet sarcastically using Biden's "Build Back Better" slogan in reference to the Taliban.
September 2021: Boebert's First Impeachment Attempts
In September 2021, Boebert initiated resolutions to impeach both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, citing the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan as grounds for their removal.
September 2021: Boebert's "Jihad Squad" Comment and Omar's Response
In September 2021, Boebert made a controversial remark, referring to Ilhan Omar as part of the "Jihad Squad" and implying a security threat. Omar responded, calling the story fabricated and denouncing the normalization of anti-Muslim bigotry.
September 2021: Boebert Reimburses Campaign for Personal Expenses
In September 2021, Boebert submitted documentation to the FEC confirming the reimbursement of campaign funds used for her personal expenses. The documents indicated that the funds were used for rent and utilities and had been subsequently reimbursed, aiming to address the issue of potential misuse of campaign funds.
November 18, 2021: Boebert's Remarks about Ilhan Omar on House Floor
During a House floor speech on November 18, 2021, Boebert referred to Ilhan Omar as "the Jihad Squad member from Minnesota", continuing her pattern of using inflammatory language towards Omar.
December 2021: Boebert Objects to Electoral College Vote Count
During the December 2021 counting of the Electoral College votes, Boebert objected to accepting Arizona's votes, alleging voter fraud and echoing claims made by Donald Trump. She voted against certifying the electoral votes of both Arizona and Pennsylvania.
2021: American Tech Workforce Act of 2021
In 2021, Boebert sponsored the American Tech Workforce Act of 2021, a bill introduced by Representative Jim Banks that aimed to reduce employer dependence on the H-1B visa program and eliminate the Optional Practical Training program.
2021: Disclosure of Jayson Boebert's Income
Lauren Boebert disclosed her husband's income from Terra Energy in her 2021 financial disclosure filing to the House of Representatives.
2021: Boebert Becomes US Representative
Lauren Boebert begins her tenure as the U.S. Representative for Colorado's 3rd congressional district in 2021.
January 2022: Boebert Becomes Communications Chair of the Freedom Caucus
In January 2022, Boebert is appointed as the communications chair of the right-wing Freedom Caucus.
January 29, 2022: Boebert's Legislative Record
As of January 29, 2022, Boebert had introduced 17 bills and seven resolutions during her time in Congress, none of which advanced beyond the committee stage.
February 2022: Boebert's Capitol Hill Metal Detector Defiance
Throughout January 2021, Boebert repeatedly refused security checks at newly installed metal detectors on Capitol Hill. Her actions, widely seen as defying security measures, sparked controversy and prompted Democrats to propose legislation banning firearms from Capitol grounds altogether.
May 2022: Boebert's Vote Against Baby Formula Bills
In May 2022, Boebert voted against two bills aimed at alleviating the baby formula shortage, attributing the shortage to the Biden administration and Democrats.
June 2022: Bill to Classify Fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction
Boebert introduced a bill in June 2022 to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. This followed a Congressional Research Service report in March that suggested such a classification might not be necessary for executive action but that Congress could address any "perceived shortcomings."
June 2022: Advocacy for Christian Nationalism
In June 2022, Boebert publicly stated her belief that the church should guide the government and criticized the separation of church and state, sparking controversy for potentially promoting Christian theocracy. While her office clarified her stance, experts noted her statement contradicted the Constitution's Establishment Clause.
July 2022: Shooters Grill Closes Permanently
Shooters Grill closes permanently in July 2022 after the building's new owner chooses not to renew the lease.
September 11, 2022: Boebert's Debate Performance
During a debate with Democratic nominee Adam Frisch on September 11, 2022, Boebert's performance was marked by controversial statements and actions. She took credit for bills she had voted against, avoided direct engagement with Frisch's arguments, suggested increasing oil and gas development as a response to climate change, and maintained a focus on attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Despite a closer-than-expected race, Boebert ultimately secured victory against Frisch, triggering an automatic recount due to the small margin.
October 2022: Boebert's Twitter Block Controversy
In October 2022, a lawsuit filed against Boebert by a constituent who was blocked from her personal Twitter account was dismissed. The lawsuit sought to compel her to unblock the user, arguing it was a violation of their First Amendment rights.
2022: Statements on "End Times" and Second Coming
Boebert declared to two audiences in late 2022 that "we are in the last of the last days," suggesting an impending apocalypse and a role for her supporters in "ushering in the second coming of Jesus."
2022: Opposition to Mask Mandates and Support for Freedom Convoy
In 2022, Boebert actively opposed mandatory face masks, falsely claiming no COVID-19 deaths in Texas after their mandate ended. She introduced a bill, which failed to garner support, to ban federal mask mandates. Boebert also expressed support for the Canadian Freedom Convoy protesting COVID-19 mandates and faced a $500 fine for violating mask rules in Congress.
2022: Boebert Seeks Re-Election
Boebert announced her candidacy for a second term representing Colorado's 3rd congressional district in the 2022 election. She faced a primary challenge from Don Coram, a state senator who positioned himself as a more moderate Republican.
2022: Opposition to Equality Act and Transgender Rights
During 2022, Boebert voiced her opposition to the Equality Act, claiming it promoted "supremacy of gays." She also expressed concerns about transgender women participating in women's sports and opposed same-sex marriage. Boebert further introduced a bill to defund research into transgender healthcare for minors, alleging it constituted sexual exploitation. She co-sponsored two controversial bills considered anti-LGBT: one criminalizing transgender healthcare for minors and another banning federal funding for institutions promoting or instructing on LGBT issues.
2022: Boebert's Re-Election Campaign and Primary Challenge
Boebert ran for re-election in Colorado's 3rd congressional district in 2022, facing a primary challenge from state senator Don Coram. Boebert attempted to paint Coram as corrupt, focusing on his support for hemp legalization, which had been approved by Colorado voters in 2012. Boebert also faced scrutiny and false allegations from a Democrat-aligned Super PAC, leading to threats of legal action and a temporary restraining order against one of its co-founders, though the legal efforts were eventually dropped.
2022: Boebert's Vote Against National Defense Authorization Act
Boebert was one of 75 House Republicans who voted against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, citing concerns about a "woke agenda", despite generally supporting increased defense spending.
2022: Boebert's Predictions and QAnon Theory
Boebert's prediction in 2021, echoing a QAnon theory, suggested that certain events would lead to Republicans retaking the House and Senate before 2022.
2022: Shooters Grill Closes
Boebert's restaurant, Shooters Grill, closes in 2022.
2022: Boebert Narrowly Wins Reelection
In 2022, Lauren Boebert narrowly won reelection, attributing her close victory to "ballot harvesting" rather than her perceived extreme views.
January 13, 2023: Boebert Files for Reelection
On January 13, 2023, Lauren Boebert filed her candidacy for reelection with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), attempting to rebrand herself as a more moderate candidate after narrowly winning her previous election.
January 2023: Boebert Opposes McCarthy's Speakership
In January 2023, at the start of the 118th Congress, Boebert was among a group of far-right Republicans who opposed Kevin McCarthy's bid for House Speaker in the initial 14 ballots.
February 2023: Boebert Criticizes ATF Gun Registration Mandate
In February 2023, Boebert criticized the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for mandating that gun owners register firearms equipped with stabilizing braces. She argued that this mandate infringed on the rights of gun owners.
February 2023: Boebert Supports AR-15 as National Gun
In February 2023, Lauren Boebert co-sponsored legislation to designate the "AR-15-style rifle" as the National Gun of the United States.
May 16, 2023: Filing for Divorce
Boebert announced on May 16, 2023, that she filed for divorce from her husband, Jayson, on May 11, citing "irreconcilable differences."
June 2023: Boebert's Second Impeachment Attempt
Boebert made another attempt to impeach President Biden in June 2023, this time focusing on his immigration and border protection policies. Her efforts to force a vote were unsuccessful, with the House instead referring the matter to relevant committees.
September 10, 2023: Removal from "Beetlejuice" Performance
On September 10, 2023, Boebert and a male companion were removed from a Denver theater during a performance of "Beetlejuice" for vaping, singing loudly, and recording the show. Initially denying the vaping, she later admitted to it after surveillance footage surfaced, also revealing inappropriate behavior with her companion.
October 10, 2023: Finalization of Divorce
Boebert's divorce from Jayson Boebert was finalized on October 10, 2023, concluding their marriage.
December 27, 2023: Boebert Switches Congressional Districts
On December 27, 2023, Boebert announced her decision to switch to running in Colorado's 4th congressional district, citing opposition from "Hollywood elites" in her current district as a reason.
2023: Boebert Misses Debt-Ceiling Vote
During the 2023 US debt-ceiling crisis, Boebert vocally opposed the Fiscal Responsibility Act and pledged to vote against it. However, she missed the vote, claiming to be "unavoidably detained," but later admitted it was a protest despite being caught on camera attempting to vote.
2023: Boebert's Vote on Removing Troops from Syria
In 2023, Boebert was among 47 Republicans who voted in favor of a resolution directing President Biden to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.
April 3, 2024: Hospitalization for Blood Clot and May-Thurner Syndrome Diagnosis
Boebert was hospitalized on April 3, 2024, after experiencing severe leg swelling. A CT scan revealed a blood clot, which was successfully removed through surgery. This event also led to her diagnosis with the rare May-Thurner syndrome.
2026: Boebert's Vote Against the TRANSPLANT Act
Boebert was one of two representatives to vote against the TRANSPLANT Act, which reauthorized the National Marrow Donor Program through 2026, expressing concern over its impact on the national debt.