Denver, CO -- One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families, has released their LGBTQ Equality 2019 Legislative Scorecard. The entire Senate Democratic Caucus received 100% on the scorecard. With the exception of Representative Adrienne Benavidez, D-Commerce City, who received a score of 80%, the entire House Democratic Caucus also received the highest scores possible. Three members of the Republican Senate Caucus also received scores of 80%, including Senator Don Coram, R-Montrose; Kevin Priola, R-Henderson; and Jake Tate, R-Centennial.  During the 2019 legislative session, there were a number of victories for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families that were the product of successful, bipartisan cooperation, including the passage of a ban on conversion therapy and Jude’s Law. There were also three attempts to roll back protections for LGBTQ Coloradans in the form of broad religious exemptions proposals or attempts to weaken our state’s nondiscrimination protections, which were fortunately defeated in committees.

“This was a historic session for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families. With legislation that impacts LGBTQ youth, transgender, and non-binary Coloradans, One Colorado championed bills for some of the most vulnerable in our community to improve the everyday lives of LGBTQ Coloradans. The strong bipartisan support of both of these bills further demonstrates that LGBTQ equality should be a nonpartisan issue, and we applaud the Republicans who stood with our community. Colorado continued to make history as our first gay Governor, Jared Polis, signed our pro-equality agenda into law to send a strong message that Colorado is a state that is open to all.”‍

Daniel Ramos, Executive Director, One Colorado

‍"I am incredibly proud of the work we were able to accomplish for all Coloradans, especially the LGBTQ community. Everyone deserves to live an authentic life, with the freedom to love who they love, and be who they are. With the important legislation we were able to pass this year, we have proven to the world that Colorado is a place where people can live and be embraced just as they are."

‍LGBT Caucus co-chair, Representative Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, HD46

‍"Colorado has become a national leader in defending and advancing the rights of LGBTQ Coloradans. This remarkable progress is due to years of education, advocacy, and electoral work. We celebrate these victories today but also remember there's so much more to do to ensure LGBTQ Coloradans have equal opportunities."

‍LGBT Caucus co-chair, Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, SD21

‍One Colorado’s two priority pieces of legislation were HB19-1039: Jude’s Law and HB19-1129: Prohibit Conversion Therapy for A Minor.  Versions of these bills were first introduced in 2015, and were previously sent to kill committees in the republican-controlled Senate after passing the House. This year, both bills passed with bipartisan support in both chambers and were signed into law by Governor Jared Polis on May 31st, 2019. Sponsored by the LGBT Caucus co-chairs Representative Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, and Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, Jude’s Law will cut through the red tape for transgender Coloradans trying to update the gender on their birth certificate, allowing them to have the identification documents that match who they are. Coloradans will be able to update their gender on their birth certificate to M, F, or X — without surgery, a doctor’s note, or court order. This bill removes both the surgery requirement and court order requirement, allowing trans people the ability to self-identify on their ID document. The bill removes the publication requirement for a name change in order to reflect one’s gender identity. A new birth certificate will be issued instead of an amended birth certificate when updating gender.  Colorado is the third state in the country (including California and Oregon) to have non-binary gender options for both driver’s licenses and birth certificates.Sponsored by Representatives Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, and Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, and Senator Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, HB19-1129 will ban a state-licensed mental health care provider from engaging in the discredited, harmful practice conversion therapy on a patient under eighteen years of age in order to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. A physician or mental health care provider who violates this provision engages in unprofessional conduct under the applicable professional licensing board. Colorado was the 18th state in the country to ban conversion therapy for minors.

Other pieces of legislation that One Colorado supported this session that passed included:

HB19-1004: Proposal For Affordable Health Coverage Option

HB19-1032: Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education

HB19-1120: Youth Mental Health Education And Suicide Prevention

HB19-1192: Inclusion Of American Minorities In Teaching Civil Government

HB19-1211: Prior Authorization Requirements Health Care Service

HB19-1239: Census Outreach Grant Program

HB19-1278: Modifications To Uniform Election Code

HB19-1318: The Clean Campaign Act Of 2019

SB19-085: Equal Pay For Equal Work Act

SB19-135: State Procurement Disparity Study

SB19-188: FAMLI Family Medical Leave Insurance Program

SB19-195: Child And Youth Behavioral Health System Enhancements

A digital version of the scorecard is available on the One Colorado website at http://bit.ly/LGBTQscorecard.