Marriage Matters

In March 2014, as part of our effort to win the freedom to marry in the Centennial State, One Colorado launched Why Marriage Matters Colorado with coalition partners Freedom to Marry and ACLU of Colorado.

Through this statewide public education campaign, we broadened the dialogue with Coloradans about why relationship recognition is important to same-sex couples and their families – and why it is consistent with the values of liberty and freedom.

Love Won

After reaching Coloradans in every corner of our state by telling the stories of same-sex couples, relationship recognition became the law of the land in October 2014 – and thousands of our families were finally recognized as truly equal under the law.

This victory was the culmination of several years of hard work and dedication fighting to ensure relationship recognition for all of Colorado’s committed couples. For more information on relationship recognition, please refer to the following documents:

Download the Marriage License Application

If you encounter any obstacles when applying for a marriage license or if you need more information about relationship recognition in Colorado, please contact us at our office: (303) 396-6170

Colorado Civil Union Act

Colorado now has full relationship recognition. However, that wasn’t always the case and couples across Colorado are still able to get a Civil Union if they don’t wish to get married, but want to have some of the legal protections that marriage offers. If you’re looking for information on marriage in Colorado, click here.

In March 2013, the Colorado General Assembly passed SB-11 — the Colorado Civil Union Act — which provided thousands of committed couples with critical legal protections and responsibilities. The bill went into effect on May 1, 2013.

Rights and protections covered by civil unions include abilities such as taking leave to care for a partner, making medical and end-of-life decisions for a partner, and adopting children together.

For more information about civil unions, please refer to the following documents:

Civil Unions Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for Couples Seeking a Civil Union

List of Coalition Partners Supporting Civil Unions

Final Version of Senate Bill 13-011

If you encounter any obstacles when applying for a civil union or if you need more information about civil unions, please contact us at our office: (303) 396-6170.

For additional answers to questions about civil unions, watch the video of our April 17 Q&A webinar below.

You may download the slides from this webinar here.