Sue Schafer
After three years of debate, the Colorado Civil Union Act is heading to the governor’s desk after a final vote by the state House of Representatives.
A Colorado Judiciary Committee hearing is underway at the state Capitol. Proponents of the bill have spoken for about two hours. Opponents will begin testifying shortly.
The stakes were high a year ago when the Colorado House Judiciary Committee met to discuss the Colorado Civil Union Act. Now, its mostly smooth sailing.
Its the beginning of the end for the Colorado Civil Union Act. A judiciary committee will hear testimony on the bill that is expected to be signed into law by early spring and take effect May 1.
Mark Ferrandino became the first openly gay man to serve as Colorado’s Speaker of the House. He’s joined by seven other out gay and lesbian lawmakers at the Colorado General Assembly.
Steadman and out lesbian state Sen. Lucia Guzman, D-Denver, will introduce the bill in the Senate on Jan. 9, the first day of the regular session. Ferrandino and out lesbian state Rep. Sue Schafer, D-Wheat Ridge, will carry the bill in the House.
Obama won big and so did Colorado Democrats, but there were also big moments in down-ballot issues, not least being marriage equality. Here’s a recap of the 2012 election results we know so far:
Colorado has eight out state legislative candidates on the ballot this year – five new faces and three incumbents. Colorado’s other out legislator, Sen. Lucia Guzman, D-Denver, is not up for re-election this year. Two of the candidates, Democratic Sen. Pat Steadman, the incumbent, and Republican Michael Car, in a race for the first time, are running against each other. If 7 of the 8 candidates win, 8 of Colorado’s 100 seats in the General Assembly will be held by out LGBT candidates, giving Colorado one of the top 3 most LGBT-inclusive legislatures in the U.S.
The 37th annual Denver PrideFest featured a two hour parade, dozens of DJs, headliners like Kristine W and a little bit of politics.
Civic Center will be the epicenter for Denver’s LGBT Pride weekend celebration. More than 300,000 people attended last year’s event.
