After repeatedly failing to note the Republican affiliation of three elected officials accused of wrongdoing while in office, the Rocky Mountain News (accessed through the paper's electronic edition) on February 22 identified former state Sen. Rob Hernandez, who was “arrested for investigation of burglary involving his own home,” as a Democrat.

As the News reported, Hernandez “was arrested by Denver police on Monday” following what he called “a 'huge misunderstanding' that he expects to be resolved.” The News noted, “Hernandez, a Democrat, represented northwest Denver until term limits forced him out in 2002.”

In contrast to the article's identification of Hernandez as a Democrat, Colorado Media Matters has documented (here, here, here, here, and here) numerous examples of the News failing to note the Republican affiliation of elected officials accused of or censured for abusing the powers of their office.

For example, in recent coverage of two other former state legislators, Jim Congrove and Mark Paschall -- both accused of malfeasance in their positions as Jefferson County commissioner and former Jefferson County treasurer, respectively -- the News failed to identify either as a Republican. The News also failed to disclose the Republican Party affiliation of Carol Chambers, district attorney for Colorado's 18th Judicial District, during its recent coverage of misconduct allegations that resulted in her censure by a state regulatory body.

In addition to its coverage of Hernandez's legal troubles -- which, unlike those of Congrove, Paschall, and Chambers, were unrelated to his behavior while in an elected position -- past News coverage of the 2006 controversy surrounding former state legislator Deanna Hanna identified her as a Democrat at least three times (here, here, and here).

From the February 22 Rocky Mountain News article by Lynn Bartels, “Ex-lawmaker calls burglary accusation a 'misunderstanding' ”:

A former state senator who was arrested for investigation of burglary involving his own home said it was a "huge misunderstanding' that he expects to be resolved.

Rob Hernandez was arrested by Denver police Monday and released on bond Tuesday.

Hernandez, a Democrat, represented northwest Denver until term limits forced him out in 2002.

[...]

A Denver police report mentions an auto shop, but Hernandez said he was arrested after retrieving property from the home.

Hernandez said he had been evicted from his home because of a refinancing problem that hadn't been resolved in time.