Colorado
Colorado
Relationships
Yes: civil unions (effective May 1, 2013) and designated beneficiary agreements. See Colo. Rev. Stat. tit. 15, art. 22.
The state constitution prohibits marriage between same-sex couples. Amended in 2006 to say: "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state." Colo. Const., art II, § 31.
State statute prohibits marriage between same-sex couples. See Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-2-104.
Workplace
Colorado law prohibits discrimination based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, defined to include gender identity, in public and private employment. See Colo Rev. Stat. § 24-34-401, et seq.
All government employees are protected by the U.S. Constitution against irrational discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, some measure of protection already exists under Title VII based on gender, which has been held to include gender identity and expression.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and several courts have interpreted Title VII to protect transgender employees, and the EEOC has interpreted Title VII to cover sexual orientation discrimination. The Supreme Court has held that the EEOC's interpretations of Title VII are entitled to "great deference."
Parenting
Any adult. Colo. Code § 19-5-202.
Authorized by Colo. Rev. Stat. § 19-5-203 et seq.
Generally favorable environment. See, e.g., In re Marriage of Dorworth, 33 P.3d 1260 (Colo. App. 2001).
