Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, said during a CNN town hall Wednesday evening that he once watched an X-rated film with his mother.

During a conversation with CNN's Dana Bash, Hickenlooper stressed that he did not know the contents of "Deep Throat" before he watched it with his mother and a friend.

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The situation arose, Hickenlooper said, after he arrived home from his first semester at college to find his single mother expecting him for dinner.

"She didn't want to be left alone in the house again," the former governor continued. "So I took my mother to see 'Deep Throat.'"

The audience reacted to Hickenlooper's comment with laughs and groans, as he continued.

"I'm sure she was mortified. I said repeatedly, 'I think we should leave, I think she would go,' " he added.

Hickenlooper also shared an observation his mother made on the car ride home.

"And she goes, 'Well, I thought the lighting was very good in the movie.' And I thought I saw a little grin in that green light [of the dashboard]," Hickenlooper added.

The former governor launched his 2020 campaign earlier this month, targeting President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE's economic policies in rural states in his announcement message.

“We’re seeing all kinds of evidence that the Trump presidency isn’t succeeding. It’s not taking America where it needs to go. It certainly isn’t fulfilling his promises to the rural parts of America," he said on CNN earlier this month.

Hickenlooper joined a crowded 2020 Democratic presidential primary, which also includes Sens. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice First presidential debate to cover coronavirus, Supreme Court Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Bernie Sanders warns of 'nightmare scenario' if Trump refuses election results Harris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenHarris joins women's voter mobilization event also featuring Pelosi, Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda Judd Gregg: The Kamala threat — the Californiaization of America GOP set to release controversial Biden report MORE (D-Mass.).

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