• 25
  • March
    2011

In local family law/divorce-related news, proposed legislation designed to extend many of the same rights currently enjoyed by married couples to same-sex couples recently cleared a major hurdle in the Colorado legislature.

Specifically, Senate Bill 172 (S.B. 172) passed by a vote of 23-12, gaining unanimous support from Democrats and three votes from Republicans.

The measure, sponsored by Sen. Pat Steadman (D-Denver), would "authorize any 2 unmarried adults, regardless of gender to enter into a civil union." Essentially, this would mean that same-sex couples would be granted the following rights/opportunities/abilities:

  • The right to make medical decisions on behalf of a partner/the right to hospital visitation privileges
  • The right to inherit property
  • The right to be eligible for both retirement and insurance benefits
  • The right to visitation/child support (if the couple has children)
  • Among others

"Civil unions will allow same-sex couples to equally participate in the protections and responsibilities available to other families in Colorado," said Sen. Steadman, after the vote was taken.

Not surprisingly, S.B. 172 did not pass without meeting some resistance from Senate members.

"This is not in line with what the people of Colorado have called for ... [It's] not in line with the spirit of the constitution," said Sen. Kevin Lundberg (R- Berthoud) in reference to a 2006 ballot measure to legalize gay marriage that was rejected by state voters. "Civil unions are, in fact, as close to marriage we can come to marriage in Colorado."

Interestingly, a recent poll of Coloradoans indicated that 70 percent are in favor of some type of legally recognized relationship rights for same-sex couples.

S.B. 172 will now move on to the Republican-controlled Colorado House of Representatives, where it is likely to face even greater scrutiny/debate in a House committee.

However, House Speaker Frank McNulty (R-Highlands Ranch) has already pledged that the proposed legislation will be treated fairly.

"When we get it, we will assign it to committee and wherever it's assigned, it will receive a fair hearing," he said.

Stay tuned for developments from our Denver divorce blog ...

If you would like to learn more about dissolution of marriage or asset protection, you should strongly consider speaking with an experienced legal professional.

This post is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Related Resources:

Colorado Senate backs civil unions for same-sex couples (Reuters)

Colorado civil unions bill passes second reading in Senate (The Huffington Post)