Jace Ratzlaff is a Colorado political operative who has worked in Republican Party politics in southern Colorado, including serving on a 2017 legislative vacancy committee. He is the former husband of Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff.
Case
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
David Wheeler released an ethics complaint alleging misconduct by Rep. Lauren Boebert. Navarro and Boebert denied the relationship allegations, while a representative rejected the complaint more broadly. House rules raise a separate question about whether the committee can accept the submission.
Role at the time: Colorado political operative and former husband of Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff
Response to this claim
Jace Ratzlaff supplied information supporting David Wheeler's Boebert ethics complaint.
“no ambiguity about my lack of involvement”
Ratzlaff expressly denies the source attribution.
Role at the time: Ex-husband of former Boebert district director Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff, speaking to CBS Colorado
Statement summary
CBS Colorado reported that Jace Ratzlaff, the ex-husband of a Boebert staffer, said he is not one of Wheeler's sources. Ratzlaff told CBS Colorado he took the polygraph test voluntarily so there would be no ambiguity about his lack of involvement. Examiner Stephen Daniels of Proof Positive Testing said Ratzlaff answered no when asked whether he was the source of any bank records, screenshots, text messages or recorded phone calls used to support the complaint, and concluded that Ratzlaff was truthful. Ratzlaff also told CBS Colorado that a text he sent Wheeler saying he assumed the matter would eventually surface referred to rumors he had heard, and that he has no firsthand knowledge of Boebert having sex with staff members.
“I voluntarily submitted to a polygraph examination because I wanted there to be no ambiguity about my lack of involvement”
The case concerns alleged prohibited staff relationships and misuse of official or campaign funds. Ratzlaff does not say whether the relationships occurred; he says he is not one of Wheeler's sources, so the label is Challenged the characterization. The closest competing label is Denied, which does not fit because he does not say the allegations are false. The polygraph result is the account of Ratzlaff and the examiner as reported by CBS Colorado.
Role at the time: Clarice Navarro Ratzlaff's ex-husband, responding to American Muckrakers and to a reporter by phone
Statement summary
In a statement included in American Muckrakers' release of an ethics complaint against Rep. Lauren Boebert, Jace Ratzlaff, the ex-husband of former Boebert district director Clarice Navarro, said he assumed the matter would eventually surface and would have no further comment. Reached by phone by Colorado Times Recorder, he said divorce is painful, that he has children and is three years post-divorce, and that it is not his issue, and declined to elaborate.
“I assumed this would eventually surface. I'll have no further comment on this topic.”
The case concerns alleged prohibited staff relationships and misuse of official or campaign funds. Ratzlaff is asked, as Navarro's ex-husband, about the allegations involving her and directly declines to comment or elaborate both times he is asked, closing off discussion of the matter rather than affirming or denying it.
Statement dates: September 24, 2026
Statement dates: September 18, 2026 to September 24, 2026
Statement dates: September 24, 2026
Statement dates: September 18, 2026 to September 24, 2026
