Protecting Reproductive Rights in Colorado: Abortion Ballot Initiative Gains Momentum
A coalition of local organizations, including Cobalt, COLOR, ACLU Colorado, New Era Colorado, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, and Progress Now Colorado, put forth an effort to protect the right to abortion in Colorado. In May, we secured enough signatures for the initiative to go on the ballot.
The initiative does three things:
- Protects Our Rights: People enrolled in state health insurance plans – teachers, firefighters, and other state employees – should have access to abortion coverage.
- Prevents Government Overreach: Coloradans should have the freedom to decide for themselves whether to have an abortion, without interference by politicians.
- Protects a Freedom: Coloradans deserve the freedom to make personal, private healthcare decisions – and that right shouldn’t depend on the source of their health insurance or who is in office. A right without access is a right in name only.
The Ballot language is as follows:
“A change to the Colorado constitution recognizing the right to abortion, and, in connection therewith, prohibiting the state and local governments from denying, impeding, or discriminating against the exercise of that right, allowing abortion to be a covered service under health insurance plans for Colorado state and local government employees and enrollees in state and local governmental insurance programs.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Donate to Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom with the QR Code at right or online at https://coloradansforreproductivefreedom.com
- Volunteer for the initiative by making phone calls, tabling at an event, or hosting a house party. Sign up on the website above.
- Join the First Unitarian Society of Denver’s Reproductive Rights Initiative. Ongoing leadership as well as one-time event help needed. Contact Kimberly at reproductivejustice@fusden.org to join us.
- Give what you can to key coalition partners of Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom:
Cobalt has doubled funds given out since Dobbs. They provided $1.25M in 2023 for practical and procedural support. That’s 4 times what they saw prior to Dobbs. They need our support now on the ballot initiative and Abortion Fund. Give at: https://cobaltadvocates.org
COLOR works to enable Latinx individuals and their families to lead safe, healthy, self-determined lives. Donations help them educate, organize, advocate and elevate the voices of Latinx individuals and families including immigrants and undocumented individuals. Give at: https://www.colorlatina.org
Planned Parenthood Action Fund works nationally to advance
access to sexual health care and defend reproductive rights. Your
support helps ballot initiatives across the country. Give at: https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org