DENVER – Political consultant Dede Laugesen was asked to leave the Colorado Capitol Monday after trying to ask Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt questions about his nonprofit and for-profit entities.

In a video released by Laugesen on Tuesday, Klingenschmitt can be seen outside the House chambers walking up to Laugesen, saying he won’t give her an interview.

Klingenschmitt accuses her of stalking him and leaves her with a Colorado state trooper.

Laugesen said the trooper escorted her out of the building, but told her she could return.

The conflict between the two began in September, when Laugesen’s nonprofit, Colorado Government Watch, filed a complaint against Klingenschmitt’s nonprofit claiming, among other things, that he collected donations while his nonprofit status was suspended.

The two have since exchanged complaints with the IRS about each other’s nonprofits. Things came to a head on Monday.

“I respectfully decline your request for an interview,” Klingenschmitt says in the video. “I’ve already written to you this email, you can have a copy of this.”

“You’re an elected official. I’m a member of the public,” Laugesen responds.

“I’ve already declined your request for an interview. You are hereby ordered to cease and desist stalking me,” he says and walks away.

A Colorado state trooper stands in the way of Laugesen, who shouts questions to Klingenschmitt as he leaves.

Laugesen works for the nonprofit Colorado Government Watch, a 501(c)4 “social welfare” organization that doesn’t disclose its donors.

The group also raised questions about a real estate transaction between Douglas Bruce and Colorado Springs City Councilwoman Helen Collins. Bruce was found guilty in February of violating his probation in part because of failing to report the real estate transaction to his probation officer. Laugesen filed assault charges (which were dropped by prosecutors) against Bruce after she confronted Helen Collins outside a Denver courtroom. In a video Bruce is seen putting his hand over the camera as Laugesen asks questions.

Laugesen is the wife of Gazette opinion page editor Wayne Laugesen. She also works on political campaigns, including El Paso County Commissioner Peg Littleton’s bid for U.S. Senate.

“Colorado Government Watch is demanding public accountability of our elected officials,” Laugesen said Tuesday in an interview with The Gazette. “There are some questions regarding the amount of money that was raised during the year, 2014 … that year he raised record amounts, $850,000. There is no board. He is the only officer and his nonprofit website promotes his for-profit venture.”

Klingenschmitt is the state representative for House District 15 and is running for the state Senate seat being vacated by term-limited Senate President Bill Cadman. Former state Rep. Bob Gardner is also running for the seat.

“Dede is an obsessed and highly paid stalker helping my opponent Bob Gardner by electioneering against me,” Klingenschmitt said in an email to The Gazette.

He pointed out that in an article Laugesen said her nonprofit’s work is aimed at trying to “remove a bad apple from office.”

“Her funders are cheaters and hypocrites, plain and simple, abusing their nonprofit status to play in elections,” Klingenschmitt said. “As a public figure who has received death threats in the past, I do not take stalking lightly and have ordered her to cease and desist.”

Laugesen noted that her nonprofit is not tax-exempt and said she would release the group’s tax documents to The Gazette. She also emphasized she is not working for or involved with Gardner’s campaign.

Those accusations don’t deflect from her concerns about Klingehschmitt’s nonprofit she said.

Klingenschmitt runs the nonprofit Persuade the World Ministries, which does business as Pray in Jesus Name Ministries.

According to his website, tax-exempt donations to the Ministry go to the “defense of religious liberty and freedom of Christian expression, broadcasting the gospel on TV-radio-Internet, and service to the poor and orphans.”

That website also includes a link for a “non-tax-deductable donation” to the “Pray in Jesus Name Project” payable to GJK, Inc. Klingenschmitt’s full name is Gordon James Klingenschmitt.

Donations to his for-profit corporation, the website says, go to “help you protect our right to pray publicly ‘in Jesus’ name,’ defend traditional marriage and the right to life by television broadcasting or radio ads for conservative Christian political causes or publish your political analysis by Internet or fax or hire you for public speaking … .”

Klingenschmitt said his charity builds orphanages and cares for widows, has never paid him a dime in salary, and never co-mingles funds with his for-profit business.

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Contact Megan Schrader: 286-0644

Twitter @CapitolSchrader

Political consultant Dede Laugesen was asked to leave the Colorado Capitol Monday after trying to ask Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt questions about his nonprofit and for-profit entities. Image from video.