Colorado Gov. Polis signs 3 bills into law expanding protections for abortion, transgender care

DENVER – As surrounding states continue restricting access to abortions and gender-affirming care, Colorado has made additional protections and coverage state law.

Gov. Jared Polis signed three bills that were part of Democrats’ reproductive care package Friday afternoon, surrounded by sponsors of the bills and dozens of supporters who applauded the state’s continued efforts to cement Colorado’s status as a safe haven.

“I’m excited by the work of advocates and legislators to further Colorado’s reputation as a beacon of freedom, a beacon of choice, a beacon of individuality where we live our own lives on our own terms in a Colorado for all,” Polis said.

In anticipation of the fall of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision, Colorado lawmakers passed legislation in 2022 guaranteeing the right to abortions in state law. Since then, they have been working to bolster access. Advocates also intend to ask voters to approve a ballot measure in November 2024 that would solidify that right in the state constitution, so future legislatures can’t just reverse the law, as well as to remove a public funding ban on abortions in the state constitution.

The three bills signed Friday garnered intense opposition from Republicans in the minority – more than 29 hours of debate took place earlier this month on the House floor alone – but the Democratic majority easily had the votes to pass the legislation before it headed to the governor’s desk.

The bills are:

• SB23-188, which prevents the state from recognizing or engaging in any criminal prosecutions or lawsuits for anyone who receives, provides or assists in abortions and gender-affirming care.

• SB23-189, which requires insurance companies to cover reproductive health care, including the full cost of abortions and sterilizations, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

• SB23-190, which prohibits the use of “deceptive advertising” by anti-abortion centers, known as crisis pregnancy centers, and designates offering so-called abortion reversal medication as “unprofessional conduct.”

All three laws are set to take effect immediately, but SB-190 was paired with a signing statement from the governor.

Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis of Boulder County, a pharmacist by trade, told attendees the country is facing a new reality after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision and Colorado needs to protect its health care professionals and address a “health care crisis.”

“A small minority of folks (are) in an endless crusade to undermine medical scientific facts and expertise to further marginalize so many of us and take us backward,” she said. “As co-chair of the LGBTQ Caucus, there is not a day that goes by that we do not hear of some relentless attack on our trans youth, our trans adults for simply wanting to live their own lives and be their own true selves.”

She added that people are afraid to seek health care, whether it’s reproductive care or gender-affirming care, give medical advice or even help family members, so Colorado lawmakers decided to take action.

The group of supporters, not all of whom could crowd into the governor’s office for the signing on Friday, was animated and cheering as lawmakers made their remarks and Polis prepared to sign the bills.

“What do you do when reproductive rights are attacked?” Sen. Julie Gonzales asked.

“Stand up and fight back,” those gathered chanted.

She then asked, “What do we do when trans rights are attacked?”

“Stand up and fight back.”