Hi friends,

As leaders in Colorado’s LGBTQIA+ advocacy and community space, One Colorado and The Center on Colfax recognize that our strength lies in our unity. Together, we have grown to understand that Coloradans fundamentally value freedom, a freedom that must extend to and beyond every member of our community.

Time and time again, Coloradans show up at the polls, at our community centers, and at rallies to stand together in solidarity. We are proud to lead this work, fostering a state where everyone can live with pride and in support of true freedom for all.In light of recent events, more specifically those that have unfolded as a result of recent proposed rule changes by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the direct attacks from Health and Human Services, we want to start an open and honest conversation.We know that our trans youth, their families, and the providers who serve them are unsure, scared, and maybe even angry right now.

‍We are, too.

‍We know all too well that President Trump and his administration are fixated on transgender people, their families, and those who provide them the life-saving care they have the right to receive. We cannot let their baseless, ill-informed attacks break our spirits, separate our community, or turn us against one another or the people who care deeply for and about us.

We understand the fear in everyone’s hearts in this moment. We understand the frustration, the anger, and the hurt. We see you. We hear you. We are with you.

We know that the pause of care at Children’s and Denver Health is alarming to many of us. This administration has been targeting our providers from day one, and their recent calculated moves have placed our providers in a holding pattern. We know that many questions remain unanswered at this moment, and that uncertainty makes all of us uncomfortable.

We are sitting in that discomfort with you.

We can say confidently that we believe in, support, and will continue to stand by those who provide healthcare to transgender Coloradans. They have always and continue to operate with a great deal of respect, love, and concern for our community. We cannot turn our backs on them during these moments of pain, of hurt, of concern. We will stand beside them as we all continue to fight against targeted attacks by this administration.If the federal government can override established medical standards to ban one type of care, then they can override them for any care. Today, it’s a politically motivated attack on specific care and providers; tomorrow, it could be your access to vaccines, IVF, or life-saving treatments.When opinion begins to replace evidence-based medicine, all patients suffer.

We cannot allow political agendas to dictate the decisions families make with their doctors. We need all of us to stand in defense of medical integrity, personal freedom, and the rights of transgender Coloradans.

‍So, what are we doing?

Our teams are  working closely with local and national partners to defend transgender rights here in Colorado and beyond.

We will be at the Capitol again this year to work with our state representatives to ensure Colorado continues to lead the way in pro-equality legislation.

We are hosting Freedom for All:  LGBTQIA+ Lobby Day 2026 in February to ensure every member of our community is equipped with the skills needed to advocate effectively at the Colorado State Capitol.

We will be hosting a collaborative community event with the Center on Colfax on January 31, 2026 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. to discuss CMS changes, how to file comments, and, more importantly, to simply be together to process our grief, sadness, frustration, and anger. (More information to come.)

One Colorado and the Center on Colfax are  deeply committed to this work. We are committed to you, to those you love, and to our community.

We will not give up. We will not back down. We will not walk away.

We will stand together, united, as we fight for the future that every Coloradan deserves.

In solidarity and with love,

One Colorado
The Center on Colfax