One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Coloradans and their families, released the following statement from Executive Director Daniel Ramos on the 2018 legislative session:‍

On One Colorado’s Legislative Priorities:

‍“As we have done over previous legislative sessions, we worked on bills that would have banned the harmful, discredited practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ minors, and would have reduced barriers for transgender Coloradans to have a birth certificate that reflects who they are. For the fourth year in a row however, both of these pro-LGBTQ bills were marked for death by Senate Republican leadership, and defeated in a Republican-controlled Senate committee after passing the House with bipartisan support. It is clear that if these bills are ever going to pass, one seat in the Colorado State Senate needs to be flipped so Colorado can have a new majority that is pro-equality and will stand up for all Coloradans, including LGBTQ Coloradans.”

‍On the defeat of two anti-LGBTQ bills:

‍“Both the so-called ‘Live and Let Live Act’ and the ‘Colorado Children First Act’ were broad, religious exemption bills that were targeted at LGBTQ Coloradans. Had they passed, they would have rolled back years of protections and progress for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families. Thankfully, both were defeated in their respective chambers, which is a victory for all of Colorado. But the fact these two anti-LGBTQ bills were pushed at the same time two pro-LGBTQ bills were killed is gravely concerning. These bills run counter to Colorado’s values, and I am thankful that both Democratic and Republican lawmakers voted to ensure they did not make it to the Governor’s desk.”

‍On the Colorado Civil Rights Division and Commission:

‍“At a time when we’re seeing actions by the Trump Administration to chip away at protections for lesbian, gay, bixsexual, transgender, and queer people, it is more important than ever that Colorado remains ahead of the curve. That is why it was so chilling when three Republicans on the Joint Budget Committee blocked funding for the Colorado Civil Rights Division back in February — an agency that has existed for decades to protect the civil rights of all Coloradans, including LGBTQ Coloradans. At the end of the day, we wanted to ensure that Colorado had a civil rights division and commission that can effectively protect the civil rights of all Coloradans. I am pleased that today, on the last day of session, Democratic and Republican members of the House and Senate were able to come together on a compromise that ensures the future of such a critical agency in our state.”

‍Final Thoughts in the 2018 Legislative Session:

‍“One vote. With two pro-LGBTQ bills being killed in the Senate State Affairs committee for the fourth year in a row, along with two of the most mean-spirited anti-LGBTQ bills we have seen in years being pushed in both chambers, it is clear we need to flip one vote in the Colorado State Senate for a new majority that is pro-equality and will stand up for all Coloradans, including LGBTQ Coloradans, in the fight for a fair and just Colorado.”