Denver, CO -- During the second regular session of the 72nd Colorado General Assembly, House Republicans have introduced a total of six anti-LGBTQ bills in the first three weeks of session. The most recent, introduced on February 3rd, are HB20-1273 “Equality And Fairness In Youth Sports Act” and HB20-1272 “Colorado Natural Marriage And Adoption Act.” One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families, released the following statements:

‍“This is the most aggressive slate of anti-LGBTQ legislation introduced in the past decade. In the first few weeks of this legislative session, we have seen attacks on transgender Coloradans, same-sex parents, LGBTQ youth, and the list goes on. These bills do not represent who we are as Coloradans, and One Colorado will fight these bills every step of the way.”

‍- One Colorado Executive Director, Daniel Ramos

‍“Some say it's not the government’s role to interfere with personal liberty. Some would say this is textbook overreach. I would say it's time to work on actual issues that improve people's lives here in Colorado.”

‍- Representative Alex Valdez (D-Denver), Chair of the LGBTQ Caucus

‍HB20-1273 prohibits sixth through twelve grade transwoman athletes from participating on sports teams that correspond with their gender identity. If a student's sex is in question, the bill requires the student to prove that she was assigned female at birth, based on a signed physician's statement that includes information about the student’s reproductive anatomy, levels of naturally occurring testosterone, and chromosome analysis.The House prime sponsor HB20-1273 is Rep. Shane Sandridge (R-El Paso County).

‍HB20-1272 declares that existing Colorado law, which defines valid marriage as between one man and one woman, should be enforced as written—noting that the United States Supreme Court should refrain from imposing a redefinition of marriage on the entire country. The bill additionally restricts adoption to prospective parents whose marriage consists of one man and one woman.The House prime sponsor for HB20-1272 is Rep. Stephen Humphrey (R-Severance), Rep. Mark Baisley (R-Roxborough Park), Rep. Shane Sandridge (R-El Paso County) Rep. Dave Williams (R-Colorado Springs) as co-sponsors.Other anti-LGBTQ bills introduced this session include:

‍HB 20-1114: Protection of Minors from Mutilation and Sterilization. If enacted, HB20-1114 would force doctors to violate existing standards of medical care for transgender patients—standards that are endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other leading medical authorities. It makes transgender affirming healthcare for youth a Felony Three in Colorado, which carries up to 12 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.The House prime sponsor for HB20-1114 is Rep. Shane Sandridge (R-El Paso County) with Rep. Mark Baisley (R-Roxborough Park), Rep. Rod Bockenfeld (R-Watkins), Rep. Tim Geitner (R-Falcon), Rep. Stephen Humphrey (R-Severance), Rep. Larry Liston (R-Colorado Springs), Rep. Patrick Neville (R-Castle Rock), Rep. Rod Pelton (R-Cheyenne Wells), Rep. Kim Ransom (R-Douglas County), Rep. Janice Rich (R-Grand Junction), Rep. Lori Saine (R-Firestone), Rep. Matt Soper (R-Delta), Rep. Perry Will (R-New Castle), Rep. Dave Williams (R-Colorado Springs) as co-sponsors.

‍HB20-1144 “Parental Rights,” as described in this bill include various aspects of a child’s upbringing, education, and healthcare. It allows parents to view all medical records and make health care decisions for children, age 17 and younger. This makes it more difficult for LGBTQ youth to seek physical and mental health care services. At a time when teen suicide and depression is affecting Colorado youth at an alarming rate, this bill only makes the problem worse.The House prime sponsor for HB20-1144 is Rep. Rod Pelton (R-Cheyenne Wells) with Rep. Mark Baisley (R-Roxborough Park), Rep. Susan Beckman (R-Littleton),  Rep. Perry Buck (R-Windsor), Rep. Tim Geitner (R-Falcon), Stephen Humphrey (R-Severance), Rep. Colin Larson (R-Littleton), Rep. Larry Liston (R-Colorado Springs), Rep. Patrick Neville (R-Castle Rock), Rep. Kim Ransom (R-Douglas County), Rep. Janice Rich (R-Grand Junction), Rep. Lori Saine (R-Firestone), Rep. Shane Sandridge (R-El Paso County), Rep. Kevin Van Winkle (R-Highlands Ranch), Rep. Perry Will (R-New Castle) as co-sponsors.

‍HB20-1033 Live and Let Live. This bill seeks to roll back protections for LGBTQ Coloradans in the areas of adoption and foster care, healthcare, housing, employment, and public spaces on the basis of religious freedom.The House prime sponsor for HB20-1033 is Rep. Stephen Humphrey (R-Severance), with Rep. Perry Buck (R-Windsor), Rep. Tim Geitner (R-Falcon), Rep. Patrick Neville (R-Castle Rock), Rep. Kim Ransom (R-Douglas County), Rep. Lori Saine (R-Firestone), Rep. Shane Sandridge (R-El Paso County) Rep. Dave. Williams (R-Colorado Springs) as co-sponsors.

‍HB20-1063 Fundamental Family Rights raises the bar for the government to step in when children are abused or neglected by parents. This makes it more difficult for LGBTQ youth to escape non-affirming homes.The HB20-1063 House prime sponsor is Rep. Tim Geitner (R-Falcon).