Colorado

Statewide Relationship Recognition
no Licenses marriages for same-sex couples.
no Honors marriages of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions.
no Relationship recognition for same-sex couples:
None.

  • 2000 Anti-marriage bill adopted. A right-wing group filed a measure with the state to begin collecting signatures for an anti-marriage ballot initiative, much like the discriminatory anti-gay measure struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996. The legislature rejected a similar measure in 1999. Senator Marilyn Musgrave (R) introduced her anti-marriage bill, SB45. Passed the Senate, House, and signed by Gov. Bill Owens (R). See Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-2-104.

Statewide Employment Protections
yes Private employment protections based on sexual orientation.
yes Private employment protections based on gender identity.
yes Public (state) employment protections based on sexual orientation.
yes Public (state) employment protections based on gender identity.

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.

Statewide Parenting Laws
Who May Adopt Any adult. Colo. Code § 19-5-202.
Second Parent Adoptions Authorized by Colo. Rev. Stat. § 19-5-203 et seq.
Notes Generally favorable environment. See, e.g., In re Marriage of Dorworth, 33 P.3d 1260 (Colo. App. 2001).