Denver, CO – Today, the Freedom for All coalition leaders celebrate the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling that proposed Initiative 175, the ban on gender affirming care for minors, will not be approved for circulation for the 2024 CO General Election. The Freedom for All Coloradans Coalition, led by One Colorado, Rocky Mountain Equality, Rose Community Foundation, and other leaders in the LGBTQ+ community, have been actively working to oppose all anti-LGBTQ+ titles submitted to the Colorado Title Board that would jeopardize LGBTQ+ equality in the state, specifically those targeted at the transgender community.

“In the face of relentless attacks on the rights and dignity of our trans community, the Freedom for All Coloradans coalition has once again demonstrated the power of collective action and resolve” said Nadine Bridges, MSW (she, her, hers), One Colorado’s Executive Director. “By defeating a harmful ballot initiative from the far-right conservative activists, we have protected the essential right to gender affirming care for minors. Our fight is far from over, but together, One Colorado will continue to lead in the defense of and power-building with our diverse LGBTQ+ community in Colorado.”

“As we approach the end of Pride Month, we are thrilled that the Colorado Supreme Court has denied the appeal of a vocal minority who would make it illegal to provide medically necessary care to transgender people,” said Mardi Moore (she, her, hers), Rocky Mountain Equality’s Executive Director. “In Colorado, we value individual liberty and freedoms. Outsiders want to force their policies on us, but they don't understand our family values."

"Today, we celebrate a tremendous victory for bodily autonomy and human dignity,” said Jax Gonzalez, PhD (they/them), One Colorado Political Director. “By defeating the ballot initiative that could ban gender-affirming care for minors, we have affirmed the right of every individual to make informed decisions about their own bodies. This triumph is a powerful reminder that everyone, regardless of age or gender, deserves the freedom to live authentically and to choose the care that best supports their well-being.”

“Gender affirming care literally saves lives, ” said Susy Bates (she/her), Freedom for All Coloradans Campaign Director. “We’re talking about mental health care and the potential persecution of health care providers. Colorado has become a ‘sanctuary state’ for young people and their families who have been forced from neighboring states because trans and non-binary youth need to live as their authentic selves. Today’s decision upholds those protections and freedoms - it is a great day to be a Coloradan.”

Additional information

Initiative 175: Informally referred to as “Prohibit Certain Medical Procedures for Minors”

Would have prevented youth from accessing mental health resources and counseling.

Would have banned medically necessary healthcare for transgender minors in Colorado and restricted doctors from talking to their patients about their healthcare needs.

Would have involved the government in decisions made between Colorado doctors, therapists, parents and patients.

Would have given the government power to persecute healthcare providers for supporting their patients and their healthcare needs.

###

Freedom for all Coloradans is a coalition of leaders in the LGBTQ+ community who are

committed to combating any anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives and policy that is introduced in Colorado. In 2024, far right activists proposed 30 anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives, specifically targeted at transgender youth in Colorado. Freedom for all Coloradans coalition members intervened every step of the way to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and against those who seek to limit their freedom to live their authentic lives.

‍