Colorado Legislative Session Review: Strides for LGBTQ Community and More

Colorado has made great strides during the 2022 legislative session by passing policy advancements protecting the rights of the LGBTQ families and communities. The legislation is centered around prioritizing resources for LGBTQ elders, addressing the issue of identity-based violence, and protecting and advancing health equity and reproductive rights in our state.

Most notably, Marlo’s Law (HB22-1153), the Culturally Relevant Healthcare Training Act (HB22-1267), and the Reproductive Health Equity Act (HB22-1279) were introduced and passed with bipartisan support in the h=House and Senate.

Marlo’s Law (HB22-1153 is written to improve legal recognition for LGBTQ parents and families by allowing parents to complete the adoption of a child and affirm parentage in accordance. The bill details what must be included on the form for adoption as well as jurisdictional requirements and options.

The Culturally Relevant Healthcare Training Act (HB22-1267) requires the department of public health and environment to create a culturally relevant and affirming healthcare training grant program to provide funds to nonprofit entities and statewide associations of healthcare providers to develop new, culturally responsive training programs for priority populations.

The Reproductive Health Equity Act (B22-1279) declares that every individual has a fundamental right to use or refuse contraception; every pregnant individual has the fundamental right to continue a pregnancy and give birth or to have an abortion, and a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not independent or derivative rights under the laws of the state.

Governor Jared Polis asserts that, “Colorado has been, is, and will be a pro-choice state.” He calls increasing abortion restrictions elsewhere “an enormous government overreach, an enormous government infringement” of individual rights.

“No matter what the Supreme Court does in the future, people in Colorado will be able to choose when and if they have children,” he says.

Other notable advances include:

The Modernization of Older Coloradans Act (HB22-1035) prioritizes the LGBTQ community and those living with HIV and AIDS in Colorado’s services and programs for older adults.

Fairness in Data Collection (HB22-1157) ensures that public health data is inclusive of all Coloradans regardless of ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and that the data is used to inform strategic plans and reports on public health in Colorado.

Colorado’s legislative initiatives fly in the face of a local, state, and national efforts to roll back rights. Many of the bills introduced nationwide target transgender youth by focusing on access to medical care, classroom instruction, and youth extracurricular activities.

 In 2022, a marked increase in anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in the U.S. with a new record number of state legislative attacks on LGBTQ Americans,  One Colorado reports.