Key Takeaways:
- Former Colorado 22nd Judicial District Attorney Christian Hatfield has been disciplined by state regulators for texting a staff member and making derogatory comments about the office.
- The text message, sent in December 2024, referred to the office as a "pile of steaming diarrhea and hatred" and caused emotional harm to the staff member.
- Hatfield has been given a six-month license suspension, which will be stayed if he completes two years of probation.
- The discipline is a result of Hatfield’s violation of attorney rules in three cases, including the text message incident.
- Hatfield lost his re-election bid in November 2024 to Republican Jeremy Reed.
Introduction to the Incident
The former district attorney for Colorado’s 22nd Judicial District, Christian Hatfield, has been disciplined by state regulators after sending a disturbing text message to a staff member at the DA’s office. According to state disciplinary documents obtained by CBS News Colorado, Hatfield referred to the office as a "pile of steaming diarrhea and hatred" in a text message sent in December 2024. This incident has led to Hatfield’s discipline, which includes a six-month license suspension that will be stayed if he completes two years of probation.
Background on Christian Hatfield
Christian Hatfield was appointed as district attorney by Colorado Governor Jared Polis in April 2023, covering Montezuma and Dolores counties in southwestern Colorado. However, his tenure was marked by controversy, and he ultimately lost his re-election bid in November 2024 to Republican Jeremy Reed. The text message incident, which occurred after hours, was a significant factor in Hatfield’s discipline. The message not only referred to the office in derogatory terms but also made personal attacks on the staff member and their family.
The Text Message Incident
The text message sent by Hatfield was highly disturbing and caused emotional harm to the staff member who received it. In addition to referring to the office as a "pile of steaming diarrhea and hatred," Hatfield also made comments about the staff member’s family and their ability to "fix the seething hatred" in the office. The message also included personal attacks on the staff member’s husband and child, with Hatfield stating that "all he can do is ask for mercy, as your husband must do, childless." The message ended with a bleak and nihilistic tone, stating that "there is nothing to love, ever" and that those who do not understand the importance of loving children are left with "judgment and emptiness."
Discipline and Consequences
As a result of the text message incident and two other cases in which Hatfield violated attorney rules, he has been disciplined by state regulators. The discipline includes a six-month license suspension, which will be stayed if Hatfield completes two years of probation. The probation period is set to begin on January 13, 2026. Hatfield did not respond to requests for comment from CBS News Colorado, and it is unclear how he plans to proceed with his career in light of the discipline.
Conclusion and Aftermath
The discipline of Christian Hatfield serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professional standards and respecting colleagues in the workplace. The text message incident was a clear violation of these standards, and the consequences reflect the seriousness with which state regulators view such behavior. As Hatfield moves forward, he will be required to complete his probation period and demonstrate that he is capable of upholding the ethical standards expected of attorneys in Colorado. The incident also highlights the challenges faced by public officials in maintaining a professional demeanor, even in difficult circumstances. Ultimately, the discipline of Christian Hatfield serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and respect in the workplace.