Here's why Lauren Boebert was kicked out of a 'Beetlejuice' performance in Denver

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert is no stranger to controversy.

Boebert is making local and national headlines for a recent incident — she and her date were asked to leave a performance of the "Beetlejuice" musical in downtown Denver Sunday evening because of disruptive behavior.

While a document about the incident and a spokesperson for Denver Arts and Venues did not confirm the identities of the individuals, Boebert confirmed on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, she didn’t catch the entire show.

“It's true, I did thoroughly enjoy the AMAZING Beetlejuice at the Buell Theatre and I plead guilty to laughing and singing too loud,” Boebert wrote, adding a smiling emoji with a hand covering its mouth. “Everyone should go see it if you get the chance this week and please let me know how it ends!”

Here’s what we know about what happened at the Buell Theatre on Sunday evening.

Why was Boebert kicked out of the Beetlejuice show?

According to an incident report shared with the Chieftain, three complaints were shared with staff about patrons that were “vaping, singing," and "causing a disturbance” in their seats close to the stage. Ushers also noticed the pair vaping and disturbing other patrons by singing and using cell phones, according to the report.

Staff gave the pair a verbal warning that they would be asked to leave if their behavior continued. But five minutes into the second act, there was another complaint about them being loud and recording, so they were asked to leave.

Photo and video recording is prohibited at Denver Performing Arts Complex performances and the “policy is strictly enforced,” according to its website.

Boebert’s campaign manager, Drew Sexton, told the Chieftain Boebert was not vaping during the performance.

Sexton said in a written statement that Boebert “appreciates” the “strict enforcement” of the ban on photography “and only wishes the Biden Administration could uphold our border laws as thoroughly and vigorously.”

“Congresswoman Boebert strongly encourages everyone to go see Beetlejuice, which runs at [the] Buell through September 17 and features a fantastic cast, tremendous visuals, and plenty of laughs for attendees, but with a gentle reminder to leave their phones outside the venue,” Sexton added.

Brian Kitts, a spokesperson for Denver Arts and Venues, declined to comment on the incident.

The incident was first reported by the Denver Post Tuesday afternoon.

‘Do you know who I am?’: What Boebert and her date allegedly said to staff

The pair were argumentative with staff who asked them to leave, according to the incident report.

When first warned at their seats, the incident report states the pair said, “they were in concert with everyone around them.”

After being escorted out of the show, they allegedly said they would wait for Denver Police Department officers to arrive but left after a staff member told them they could be banned from attending future performances if they stayed there.  

A staff member stated that Boebert and her guest said things like, ‘Do you know who I am?’, ‘I am on the board,’ (and), ‘I will be contacting the mayor,’” the incident report details.

Jordan Fuja, a spokesperson in Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s office, told the Chieftain Wednesday via email that “there hasn’t been any contact with the Mayor’s office about this.”

It also appears that Boebert and her date are not on any local Denver art boards or commissions.

The Daily Mail identified Boebert’s date as Quinn Gallagher, who lives in the Aspen area. Neither Boebert nor Gallagher are on the Denver arts commissions or boards at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the Chieftain confirmed with multiple spokespeople.

Was Boebert’s date a Democrat?

Boebert is seen leaving the venue hand in hand with her date: they held hands and twirled around as they were exiting the nearly empty performing arts complex in Denver during the show.

The Daily Mail reported Wednesday morning that Boebert’s companion was “DEMOCRAT” Quinn Gallagher, who co-owns a bar in Aspen.

The Daily Mail cites an anonymous, “well-connected” source who told the outlet they “always thought Quinn was a cool guy and a Democrat. His parents would be horrified because they are definitely blue.”

The article includes paparazzi-style photos of Gallagher that strongly resemble the man captured on the surveillance footage in Denver.  

Sexton, Boebert's campaign manager, did not respond to a request to confirm if Gallagher attended the Denver show with Boebert.

One of the key assertions in the Daily Mail story appears to be false. Public records show that Gallagher is registered as an unaffiliated voter, not with the Democratic Party.

Gallagher appears to not have made any political contributions to county and state elections in Colorado. His name also did not appear in a search of federal campaign finance records, which itemizes contributions from donors who contribute at least $200 during an election cycle.

Boebert filed for divorce from her husband Jayson Boebert on April 25 because of an "irretrievably broken" marriage. They have four boys together — the oldest, still a teenager, recently had a baby.

The congresswoman intervened in a 911 call in December 2022 when one of her sons reported that his dad was “throwing me around.” The boy said his mom was living in a farmhouse on the property because of issues within the family. Lauren Boebert and her son followed up with the dispatcher on another call less than five minutes after the first one was placed, saying that Jayson Boebert didn’t get physical with him.

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Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com or on Twitter, @annalynnfrey. Please support local news at subscribe.chieftain.com.