Colorado Governor Jared Polis Signs Landmark LGBTQ Legislation Into Law

‍Denver, CO -- This morning, on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol, Governor Jared Polis signed two landmark pieces of LGBTQ legislation into law. Surrounded by bill sponsors, members of the LGBT Legislative Caucus, elected officials, coalition members, and folks who have testified in support of these bills over the last five years, the country’s first openly gay governor signed HB19-1039: Jude’s Law and HB19-1129: Banning Conversion Therapy for Minors.

One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families, released the following statement from Executive Director Daniel Ramos:

‍“This was a historic session for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families. With legislation that impacts 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 will continue to make history as our country’s first openly gay Governor, Jared Polis, signs our pro-equality agenda into law to send a strong message that Colorado is a state that is open to all.”

‍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.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 and non-binary 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 a surgery, 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 documents. 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. This law goes into effect on January 1st, 2020. 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.On February 15th, the Colorado House passed House Bill 19-1039 on a bipartisan 41-22 vote, with Representative Donald Valdez, D-La Jara, the only democrat in either chamber to vote against the bill. Representatives Colin Larson, R-Littleton, and Hugh McKean, R-Loveland, were the two Republican votes in support of the bill. On April 17th, the Colorado Senate passed House Bill 19-1039 on a bipartisan 23-12 vote. Senators Don Coram, R-Montrose, Kevin Priola, R- Henderson, Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, and Jim Smallwood, R-Parker, were the Republican votes in support of the bill.The bill was officially named Jude’s Law to honor the 13-year-old transgender student, Jude, who has testified in support of an iteration of the birth certificate modernization act over the last five sessions.

"I am so proud that after years of trying, Jude's Law was finally signed by the Governor today. The State of Colorado should honor individuals and their identities. With this law, transgender Coloradans will finally have government documents that accurately reflect who they are."

‍- Senator Dominick Moreno.

‍“Jude has testified at the capitol in support of this legislation for years now. We have watched her grow up in front of our eyes. She has been simply asking this legislature to give her the ability to live her most genuine life.”

- Representative Daneya Esgar

‍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. This law goes into effect on August 2, 2019. Colorado is the 18th state in the country to ban conversion therapy for minors. On February 19th, the Colorado House passed House Bill 19-1129: Prohibit Conversion Therapy for Minors on a bipartisan 42-20 vote.  Representatives Colin Larson, R-Littleton, and Hugh McKean, R-Loveland, were the two Republican votes in support of the bill. On March 25th, the Colorado Senate passed House Bill 19-1129: Prohibit Conversion Therapy for Minors on a bipartisan 21-13 vote. Senators Don Coram, R-Montrose, Kevin Priola, R- Henderson, and Jack Tate, R-Centennial, were the Republican votes in support of the bill.

‍"Being gay is not a mental illness and it does not need to be fixed. After sponsoring this bill for the past three years, I'm proud this will be the year we put an end to this harmful and deceptive practice.”

- Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg

‍“This is the second year I have been the prime sponsor of this bill. The defeat year after year has puzzled and pained me. This year’s passage is so sweet because the people stood up together and said we will not stand for the abuse and discrimination against our children any longer. All children are our children, and the fight for their love and acceptance had a huge win today.”

- Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet.