Colorado Democrats Advance Bills on Transgender Healthcare and Abortion Amid Procedural Disputes

Legislation restricting debate pushes forward measures on taxpayer-funded abortion, transgender care, and parental rights, drawing sharp Republican criticism.

The Colorado Legislature passed four controversial bills, including mandates for insurers to cover transgender medical procedures and taxpayer-funded abortion services.
HB25-1312 redefines parental non-affirmation of a child's transgender identity as potential child abuse in custody disputes, intensifying debates over parental rights.
Democrats employed procedural rules to limit debate, invoking Rule 14 and Rule 16 to curtail Republican opposition during the legislative session.
Republican lawmakers warned that these measures could lead to federal repercussions under the Trump administration, potentially risking federal funding for state programs.
The bills now proceed to further legislative steps or gubernatorial review, with SB25-183 and SB25-129 already headed to the governor’s desk for signature.