Was Jace Ratzlaff a source for David Wheeler's Boebert ethics complaint?
Wheeler identifies Ratzlaff as a source, and Ratzlaff denies involvement. This case asks who supplied information for the complaint, separately from whether the allegations against Boebert are true.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Wheeler's September 17 complaint against Lauren Boebert says it relies on sources with direct knowledge. Its public exhibit list describes source communications as material provided upon request, rather than including those communications for readers to examine. Complaint (opens in a new tab)
Colorado Times Recorder reported a remark attributed to Ratzlaff in Wheeler's release and then contacted Ratzlaff by phone. A remark about allegations eventually surfacing does not, on its own, establish what information the speaker supplied. Original reporting (opens in a new tab)
The question here is source attribution. Evidence about whether Boebert committed the alleged acts belongs in the [separate ethics-complaint case](/cases/lauren-boebert-house-ethics-complaint-staff-allegations). Resolving this sourcing question requires the relevant communications or source declarations, not a conclusion about Boebert's conduct.
People in this case
Lauren BoebertDirectly involved
Timeline
2 timeline entries on this page. Dates: September 17, 2026 to September 18, 2026
September 2026
2 events
Wheeler signs the ethics complaint
Wheeler signs the complaint against Boebert. Its public exhibit list describes source communications as material provided upon request.
[01]David Wheeler’s redacted September 17, 2026 House ethics complaint and exhibits
Complainant-authored document published by the Colorado Times Recorder; documents the allegations and the complainant’s declaration, not committee acceptance or proof of the alleged conduct.
David Wheeler’s redacted September 17, 2026 House ethics complaint and exhibitsPDF pp. 1–6 (complaint), pp. 7–34 (exhibits)Reporter contacts Ratzlaff after publication of the complaint
Source release
Colorado Times Recorder publishes Wheeler's account and contacts Ratzlaff by phone about the allegations.
[02]Colorado Times Recorder reports Jace Ratzlaff's response to the Boebert complaint
Source excerpt
I assumed this would eventually surface. I'll have no further comment on this topic.
Colorado Times Recorder reports two statements from Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff's ex-husband, Jace Ratzlaff: one included in American Muckrakers' release of the complaint, and a second obtained when the reporter reached him directly by phone, in which he declined to elaborate further.
Colorado Times Recorder reports Jace Ratzlaff's response to the Boebert complaintPassage quoting Jace Ratzlaff, first via American Muckrakers' release and then by phone.
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What was said
Attributed statement
Jace Ratzlaff supplied information supporting David Wheeler's Boebert ethics complaint.
Sources (3)
- Colorado Times Recorder reports Jace Ratzlaff's response to the Boebert complaintPassage quoting Jace Ratzlaff, first via American Muckrakers' release and then by phone.
- Rep. Lauren Boebert gets a protection order after she's accused of having sex with staffersParagraphs on the protection order, and the paragraphs on Wheeler's sources and Jace Ratzlaff's polygraph
- David Wheeler’s redacted September 17, 2026 House ethics complaint and exhibitsPDF pp. 1–6 (complaint), pp. 7–34 (exhibits)
Response record
Responses
Latest recorded positions: 2. Dates: September 24, 2026
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 responses on this page
David B. WheelerPresident of American Muckrakers PAC and complainantDirectly involved "Both sources are ready and willing to testify under oath"
Defended or excusedResponding to: Jace Ratzlaff supplied information supporting David Wheeler's Boebert ethics complaint.
Read more
Wheeler stands by his named-source account.
Before the statement
The account concerns the sources behind the complaint.
After the statement
The public complaint lists supporting communications as available upon request.
Rep. Lauren Boebert gets a protection order after she's accused of having sex with staffersParagraphs on the protection order, and the paragraphs on Wheeler's sources and Jace Ratzlaff's polygraphWhy this label?
Wheeler defends his source attribution, rather than accepting the denial.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Jace RatzlaffColorado political operative and former husband of Clarice Navarro RatzlaffDirectly involved "no ambiguity about my lack of involvement"
DeniedResponding to: Jace Ratzlaff supplied information supporting David Wheeler's Boebert ethics complaint.
Read more
Ratzlaff denies supplying evidence.
Before the statement
His response addresses the source attribution.
After the statement
The sourcing dispute is separate from whether the underlying allegations are true.
Rep. Lauren Boebert gets a protection order after she's accused of having sex with staffersParagraphs on the protection order, and the paragraphs on Wheeler's sources and Jace Ratzlaff's polygraphWhy this label?
Ratzlaff expressly denies the source attribution.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(3)
Reporting
Rep. Lauren Boebert gets a protection order after she's accused of having sex with staffers
Relevant passage: Paragraphs on the protection order, and the paragraphs on Wheeler's sources and Jace Ratzlaff's polygraph
About this source
CBS Colorado reports that Boebert supplied a signed copy of a temporary protection order requiring Wheeler to avoid contact with her and stay at least 100 yards away. The same report quotes Wheeler saying that two sources have given statements and would testify, says Jace Ratzlaff, the ex-husband of one of the staffers, told CBS Colorado he is not one of Wheeler's sources, and describes a polygraph examination that Ratzlaff says he took voluntarily, administered by examiner Stephen Daniels of Proof Positive Testing. The structured page data gives September 24 at 8:02 p.m. Mountain time as the publication time; the page body shows an October 1 update.
- Author
- Shaun Boyd
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Colorado Times Recorder reports Jace Ratzlaff's response to the Boebert complaint
Relevant passage: Passage quoting Jace Ratzlaff, first via American Muckrakers' release and then by phone.
Excerpt
"I assumed this would eventually surface. I'll have no further comment on this topic."
About this source
Colorado Times Recorder reports two statements from Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff's ex-husband, Jace Ratzlaff: one included in American Muckrakers' release of the complaint, and a second obtained when the reporter reached him directly by phone, in which he declined to elaborate further.
- Author
- Erik Maulbetsch
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
David Wheeler’s redacted September 17, 2026 House ethics complaint and exhibits
Relevant passage: PDF pp. 1–6 (complaint), pp. 7–34 (exhibits)
About this source
Complainant-authored document published by the Colorado Times Recorder; documents the allegations and the complainant’s declaration, not committee acceptance or proof of the alleged conduct.
- Author
- David B. Wheeler
- Published
- Accessed
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Was Jace Ratzlaff a source for David Wheeler's Boebert ethics complaint?
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/jace-ratzlaff-david-wheeler-boebert-complaint-source
The Dispute Index. "Was Jace Ratzlaff a source for David Wheeler's Boebert ethics complaint?". First published: 2026-10-09. Last updated: 2026-10-09. https://disputeindex.com/cases/jace-ratzlaff-david-wheeler-boebert-complaint-source