Relationship Recognition

LGBT Coloradans are doing the hard work of building strong families with more than 50% in long-term relationships. Although Colorado has taken tremendous strides in recent years to protect LGBT families, including second-parent adoption and designated beneficiaries—LGBT couples are still denied basic protections and responsibilities to take care of one another.

In 2006, the voters of Colorado amended our state’s Constitution to deny gay and lesbian families the rights granted to married couples. At One Colorado, we know that same-sex couples in the state are vulnerable—unable to be responsible for the ones they love—and we are committed to securing equal protection under the law for LGBT families.

During the 2011 Legislative Session, One Colorado advocated for a bill to create civil unions in the state. Civil unions would provide all committed couples with equal protection under the law. In support of this critical piece of legislation, we built a coalition of more than 100 organizations representing nearly one million Coloradans; earned the endorsement of every major newspaper in the state; conducted outreach in communities of color and faith communities; trained dozens of LGBT Coloradans to tell their stories to the media; and coordinated nearly 19,000 contacts with state legislators in support of civil unions.

Civil unions legislation passed the Colorado Senate with bi-partisan support (23-12) but was blocked from moving forward in the House.

Although House Republicans turned their backs on Colorado families and killed the 2011 civil unions bill, the fight continues. Senator Pat Steadman and Representative Mark Ferrandino — openly gay legislators who introduced the bill in the 2011 session and who have lead the march toward equality at the Capitol for several years — have committed to reintroducing the bill in 2012. With your help and support, One Colorado will mobilize its supporters and advocate for its passage.

We won’t stop fighting until all Coloradans have the opportunity to build strong, healthy families. Whether it’s tomorrow or next week or next year, LGBT families will have equal protection under the law in Colorado.