Colorado House Passes Bills Protecting Trans And Abortion Rights: “No One Should Have To Fight For The Healthcare They Need” 

The Colorado House passed a set of Senate and House bills last week, protecting transgender rights and access to abortions. Colorado’s efforts to safeguard these rights were in response to hostile federal government action, including a flurry of anti-trans executive orders. 

Last November, Colorado voters approved Amendment 79, which cements the right to abortion in the state Constitution. With the passing of Senate Bill 183 on Sunday, state law will be updated to reflect the voters’ choice. It will also repeal the prohibition on using federal funds to cover abortion costs and prohibit Colorado state and local governments, as well as insurance companies, from denying the right to abortion. The bill passed through the House (40-21) and is now in the hands of Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D).

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The House then turned its attention to House Bill 1309, also known as the “Protect Access to Gender-Affirming Health Care” bill. The bill aims to codify gender-affirming care access in Colorado, and prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage for gender-affirming medical treatments such as hormone therapy, genital reconstruction, and facial surgery. The bill was passed on a 40-20 party-line vote and now awaits the consideration of the Colorado Senate. 

Democratic Rep. Brianna Titone was a co-sponsor of the bill and is currently the legislature’s only transgender member. In response to House Bill 1309, she stated, “What’s happening at the federal level is casting a long shadow, and we don’t know what that future holds. There is a real possibility that gender-affirming care could be at risk.” She continued, “Passing this bill is about telling Coloradans that no, we are not going to let that happen.” 

Nadine Bridges, executive director of One Colorado and an endorser of the bill, said in a statement, “No one should have to fight for the health care they need. This bill ensures our community has the protection and stability we all deserve.” 

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The final bill, Senate Bill 129, extends a shield law protecting health care providers of abortion and reproductive-health services. The bill ensures prescribers of abortion or miscarriage management medications may only list the name of their practice, rather than their name and identity. State Sen. Lisa Cutter, co-sponsor of the bill, stated, “As attacks on reproductive rights continue across the country, we are working to implement strong and responsive laws in Colorado to shield health care patients and providers from hostile out-of-state action.” The bill now awaits consideration from the Colorado Senate. 

These bills follow the House Bill 1312, known as the “Kelly Loving Act,” which was passed by the state House earlier last week. The bill aims to strengthen protections for transgender youth under 18 by prohibiting Colorado courts from taking children from their legal guardians or parents who allow their children access to gender-affirming health care. The court must consider deadnaming, misgendering, or threatening to publish material related to an individual’s gender-affirming health care records and services as coercive control in custody cases. The bill now awaits a review from the Colorado Senate. 

“Supporting a child’s gender identity is indeed the best interest of the child, and that support cannot be used against a loving and supportive parent in dispute,” said State Rep. Rebekah Stewart, who co-sponsored the bill.

Related: Colorado Passes Groundbreaking Trans Rights Legislation

An LGBTQ+ legislative researcher, Allison Chapman, told Truthout, “With the vilification of transgender people by mainstream media and the federal government, state laws protecting gender affirming health care offers transgender Americans a chance at survival and life.”