A man had to drag himself onto a stage and crawl across it in front of dozens of people because of the complete lack of a wheelchair ramp.
Chris Hinds needed to get on the stage to take part in a debate or face losing about $125,000 in campaign financing.
Mr Hinds is running to join the Denver City council. Organisers of the event said they couldn't lift the wheelchair onto the stage.
The event was postponed and eventually held in front of the stage to allow Mr Hinds to participate.
Mr Hinds described the event as "humiliating" and said: “It was a choice between my campaign’s viability or my dignity."
The event was held at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance school in Denver, Colorado, US.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, public facilities have to provide equal access to people with disabilities.
Mr Hinds added: “It’s kind of hard really to say that this is excusable at this point.
“I really hope that this is a teachable moment of why it’s important to have a government that’s representative of all the people, and why it’s important to have disability representation on Council.”
A spokesperson for the centre where the event was held said they didn't receive any special requests for accomodations ahead of time.
Mr Hinds is an outspoken advocate for accessibility in Denver, and said his use of a wheelchair is common knowledge.
“That someone didn’t even do some basic checking on who the elected council member is for the debate that we’re having is kind of nuts,” he said. “And then that they thought ‘Oh, we’ll just lift him up’ is also nuts.”
Hinds attended a second debate on Thursday night.
Ahead of the debate he was assured it would be wheelchair accessible.
Malik Robinson, executive director of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, said: “Our team will continue to work with the Denver Clerk & Recorder’s office on candidate profile updates and contact information. It is important to us as we look forward to hosting future debates and events.
"We will continually check on campaign contact updates and information so that we can plan as far in advance for necessary accommodations, even if they might be at the last minute."
Denver Clerk Paul López said he had personally apologised to Mr Hinds and expressed regret he “had an adverse experience”.
“No one should have that experience, and I have apologized to Councilman Hinds personally,” López said.
