State

Consensual sex between same-sex couples is lawful at 17 years.

The Criminal Code: 18-3-402. Sexual assault, provides -

(1) Any actor who knowingly inflicts sexual intrusion or sexual penetration on a victim commits sexual assault if:

(a) The actor causes submission of the victim by means of sufficient consequence reasonably calculated to cause submission against the victim's will; or

(b) The actor knows that the victim is incapable of appraising the nature of the victim's conduct; or

(c) The actor knows that the victim submits erroneously, believing the actor to be the victim's spouse; or

(d) At the time of the commission of the act, the victim is less than fifteen years of age and the actor is at least four years older than the victim and is not the spouse of the victim; or

(e) At the time of the commission of the act, the victim is at least fifteen years of age but less than seventeen years of age and the actor is at least ten years older than the victim and is not the spouse of the victim; or

(f) The victim is in custody of law or detained in a hospital or other institution and the actor has supervisory or disciplinary authority over the victim and uses this position of authority to coerce the victim to submit, unless the act is incident to a lawful search; or

(g) The actor, while purporting to offer a medical service, engages in treatment or examination of a victim for other than a bona fide medical purpose or in a manner substantially inconsistent with reasonable medical practices; or

(h) The victim is physically helpless and the actor knows the victim is physically helpless and the victim has not consented.

State

On 18 March 2013, the Department of Regulatory Agencies issued a bulletin clarifying that health insurance providers in Colorado cannot discriminate against patients due to their sexual orientation or gender identity [D1.2], [R1.1].

Courts & Tribunals

In 2002, the Colorado Supreme Court was reported to have previously endorsed the idea of a psychological parent, a doctrine that "addresses the realities of children's emotional lives - the bond that forms as a result of the love, attention, care and protection provided to a child by an adult as opposed to a legally conferred designation as a 'parent'" [R1.5].

Courts have awarded parenting time to significant people in a child's life, such as grandparents or stepparents [R1.5].

On 30 August 2001, the three-judge Colorado Court of Appeals said state law allows restrictions on parenting time only if a child's physical, mental or emotional health is endangered, ruling parenting time in custody cases may not be restricted because of sexual orientation [R1.4].

The court overturned a decision by Douglas County District Judge Thomas J. Curry, who barred a bisexual father from taking his 9-year-old daughter to a predominantly gay church and from having overnight guests [R1.4].

On 10 July 2001, upon separation of a lesbian couple, Magistrate Diane Dupree found that both women were mothers of the child, who was adopted in China, and gave each woman equal parenting time and joint decision-making responsibilities [R1.5].

Previously:

On 25 March 1996, the Denver District Court ordered joint custody to the lesbian couple who adopted a child in China [R1.5].

In February 2000, Adams County Magistrate Theresa A. Spahn temporarily ordered Carilyn Hanggee and Martie Dufour, Baby K's biological aunt, to share time with Baby K's heterosexual mother and father [R1.3].

In August 1999, Jefferson County district judge Christopher Munch ordered Girl M live with her mother, Kelly Naylor, in Albany during the school year and to spend her summers and half her winter breaks with the woman she calls "Nana,'' Leanne Bueker [R1.2].

Previously:

In 1998, District Judge Frank Plaut awarded Bueker and Cunningham joint custody of Girl M, whom Cunningham had by in-vitro fertilization, calling Bueker her "psychological'' mother and Cunningham her "biological'' mother [C1.1], [R1.1].

State

On 12 March 2013, the House approved the Civil Union Act 39-26. With the Governor's signature (on 21 March 2013), the Act will come into force 01 May [R1.25].

On 08 March 2013, the Civil Union Act cleared the third and final committee (House Appropriations Committee) in a 9-4 vote and will now go before the full House for a vote next week [R1.24].

On 11 February 2013, the Civil Union Act Senate Bill SB 11 passed a formal vote 21–14. The House is expected to pass the Bill, with Gov. John Hickenlooper signing it into law in March, effective in May [R1.23].

On 08 February 2013, the Civil Union Act Senate Bill SB 11 passed its first vote 21–14. If it is passed in a formal vote on Monday it is goes on to the House where it is also expected to pass [R1.22].

On 09 January 2013, the Civil Union Act was in the Senate (SB13-011) and was expected to pass without delay by early spring. According to the bill, gay and lesbian couples will be able to form unions beginning 01 May [L1.21], [R1.20].

On 08 May 2012, the House rose before Senate Bill 2, (the civil unions legislation that would have afforded unmarried couples many of the same legal rights and benefits of marriage, including second-parent adoption, inheritance rights, and end-of-life and medical decision-making rights) could be brought to a vote [R1.19].

On 26 April 2012, the Senate voted 23–12 to pass legislation that would legalize same-sex civil unions in Colorado. The Bill now heads back to the House [R1.18].

On 17 April 2012, Senate Bill SB12-002 cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on a 5–4 party-line vote [L1.17].

Previously:

On 16 February 2012, the Senate Finance Committee moved 4–3 to refer the Bill to the Committee on Appropriations. On 15 February 2012, the Senate Committee on Judiciary advanced a civil unions bill after a 5–2 vote [L1.17].

On 11 January 2012, Senate Bill SB12-002 (the Colorado Civil Union Act), was introduced in the Legislature, that if passed into law would grant gay and lesbian couples many of the same legal protections that heterosexual couples now enjoy [L1.17], [R1.16].

On 04 January 2012, the Civil Union Act of 2012 was expected to be introduced on the first day the General Assembly convenes 11 January 2012 [R1.15]

On 31 March 2011, the House Judiciary Committee killed the civil unions bill on a 6–5 party line vote that would have allowed gays and lesbians to make medical decisions for their partners and become eligible for insurance and retirement benefits [R1.14].

On 24 March 2011, the Senate approved 23–12 civil unions Senate Bill 172 that would allow same-sex couples the right to inherit property, apply for family leave and share medical decisions. The Bill now goes to the House [R1.13].

On 10 March 2011, the Senate Finance Committee approved civil unions Bill SB-172 on a 5–4 party-line vote. The Senate Appropriations Committee must also approve the measure before it could come up for a vote on the Senate floor [R1.12].

On 07 March 2011, the Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee approved a civil unions bill SB-172 6–3. The bill moved on to the state senate appropriations committee, where it likely underwent further revision and debate before being voted on by the full senate [R1.11].

On 14 February 2011, Sen. Pat Steadman introduced legislation that would if passed legalize civil unions for same-sex couples and provide committed gay and lesbian couples with legal protections needed for health and family planning, including dissolution of relationship and the separation of property [R1.10].

In December 2010, State Senator Pat Steadman planned to introduce a bill next year to legalize civil unions, expecting it to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, but perhaps not the Republican-controlled House [R1.9].

On 01 July 2009, the Colorado Designated Beneficiary Agreements Act [House Bill 09-1260] came into force, granting unmarried couples limited rights, including making funeral arrangements for each other, receiving death benefits, and inheriting property without a Will, estate planning, property purchases, medical decisions and certain benefits such as life-insurance and retirement-plan disbursements [D1.8], [L1.7].

In May 2009, governor Bill Ritter discreetly signed Senate Bill 88, giving same-sex domestic partners of state employees the same benefits as spouses of heterosexual employees [R1.6].

On 07 November 2006, voters defeated 53% to 47% Referendum 1 to amend the Colorado revised statutes to authorize domestic partnerships under HB 06-1334 [R1.5].

In May 2006, the Senate passed House Bill 1344 that put the question of whether gay couples should enjoy the legal rights and benefits afforded married couples on the November 2006 ballot. The measure will return to the House, which was expected to back it. The referred ballot measure does not require Gov. Bill Owens' signature [R1.4].

On 01 March 2006, a Republican proposal to allow same-sex couples and others to receive some limited benefits was in limbo after a Colorado senate committee in Denver deadlocked over whether to support it [R1.3].

As at 19 December 2002, Colorado law does not include gay partners or their offspring among the list of dependents covered by health plans administered through the state's payroll system [R1.2].

In June 2002, Colorado University regents approved health care benefits for partners and dependents of homosexual employees [R1.1].

CU was the first state entity to offer partner benefits however, until the law is changed, the only staff to benefit will be faculty and exempt staff, such as administrative directors, who aren't affected by the law, since their benefits are handled directly through the university [R1.1].

County

Starting 1 January 2001, Summit County employees are entitled to the same health insurance coverage and other benefits. The county just the fourth governmental entity in the state to extend such benefits to same-sex couples [R2.1].

To receive the domestic partner benefits a county employee and his or her partner will be required to sign an affidavit proving they live together and share the financial burden of keeping a household. Such criteria range from joint ownership of a home, insurance policy or loan, or joint bank accounts and credit cards.

Benefits include the county's cafeteria health plan, leaves of absences, sick and emergency leave.

Additionally, the definition of immediate family will be expanded to include partners and their children.

The County of Denver employees are also entitled to similar coverage

Cities & Towns

On 09 October 2012. Pueblo City Council voted 6–1 to allow the city's gay workers to add domestic partners to the city's insurance programs [R3.8].

Previously:

On 10 September 2012, Pueblo City Council rejected 5–1 a proposal that would have let city employees have same-sex domestic partners added to their insurance and other benefits, voting to review it in the future if the economy improves [R3.7].

On 01 November 2002, Glendale domestic partners of gay city employees could start applying for health coverage under the city's health plan [R3.6].

On 06 November 2002, Colorado Springs Council voted 5–4 to adopt a plan enabling employees to receive benefits from 01 January 2003 if they sign affidavits attesting they and their same-sex partner are financially dependent on each other [R3.5], [R3.4].

In April 2003 however, the plan ended, Mayor Lionel Rivera having put a resolution directing the hospital and utility directors and the city manager not to include the benefits in their 2004 budget proposals [R3.3].

The few people who signed up for the program continued getting insurance coverage but not after Dec. 31.

In November 2002, Colorado Springs Utilities was proposing to extend health benefits to gay partners of its employees, becoming the last branch of city government to do so. The Memorial Hospital board has also included benefits in their budget [R3.2].

On 29 November 1999, Denver City Council approved a registry for committed, unmarried couples [R3.1].

To qualify, each member of the couple must be unmarried, at least 18 years old and sharing the same household with a partner who is not a blood relative. The city's clerk and recorder's office will charge a US$25 filing fee to cover administrative costs. Couples will be required to notify the clerk's office if their partnerships dissolve.

State

In late May 2008, Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado signed a nondiscrimination law that offers new legal protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals [R1.5].

In March 2003, state representatives removed a provision protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination by health care workers [R1.4].

On 17 April 2002, the Senate approved a bill that would bar employers from discriminating against gays and lesbians in hiring or employment [R1.3].

In May 2001, Colorado state adopted a policy of not discriminating in employment on the basis of sexual orientation [R1.2].

In April 2000, the House killed HB 1331, a bill that would have added sexual orientation as a basis for civil rights discrimination. Another bill, HB 1249, had been amended in the Senate to include a provision so that the gay-marriage ban didn't affect city or county laws or agreements between companies and their employees involving benefits for same-sex couples [R1.1].

Cities & Towns

In March 2010, a preschool student at a Catholic school in Boulder reportedly would not be allowed to return next school year because the student's parents are two women in a homosexual relationship [R2.2].

On 05 November 2001, the Denver City Council passed a new ordinance adding gender identity to those protected in employment, housing and health care [R2.1]. Previously, the anti-discrimination law included race, religion, age disabilities, sexual orientation and marital status.

"Gender Identity" is defined in the ordinance as a person's individual attributes that may not be in accord with one's physical anatomy, chromosomal sex, genitalia or sex assigned at birth. "Transgendered" is another term for people whose gender identity doesn't conform to their physical sex.

Courts & Tribunals

On 16 July 2012, State Personnel Board judge Mary McClatchey ordered the State Patrol to include LGBT issues in diversity training and to appoint a senior officer as a liasion for gay and lesbian troopers, finding the Patrol had an 'anti-gay culture' [C3.6], [R3.5].

On 10 November 2011, a seven-member jury ruled in favor of the Summit County government in a discrimination lawsuit brought by a same-sex couple Jason Rodgers and James Hazel, who claimed officials delayed the construction of their house ultimately causing foreclosure. The case may be appealed [R3.4].

In November 2011, same-sex couple Jason Rodgers and James Hazel from Denver sued Summit County government, saying officials discriminated against them by telling them building permits are only issued to families and stalling the construction of their home, ultimately causing foreclosure [R3.3].

In April 2004, a federal judge awarded nearly $150,000 to a man who was fired by AT&T Broadband for refusing to sign a diversity policy requiring him to value the beliefs of others, including gays [R3.2].

On 20 May 1996, the United States Supreme Court struck down Amendment 2 of the Colorado constitution because it wrongly erected special legal hurdles that only applied to gays [C3.1], [R3.1].

State

On 21 February 2001, a bill that would have allowed survivors to claim the estate of their gay or lesbian partner died in the Colorado legislature [R1.2].

Previously:

On 05 February 2001, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved 4–3 Senate Bill 159 that allowed the surviving partner in a same-sex relationship to inherit the couple's property after one of the partners dies, even when there is no will [R1.1].

State

In late May 2008, Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado signed a nondiscrimination law that offers new legal protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals [R1.1].

Cities & Towns

On 05 November 2001, the Denver City Council passed a new ordinance adding gender identity to those protected in employment, housing and health care [R2.2].

Previously, the anti-discrimination law included race, religion, age disabilities, sexual orientation and marital status.

"Gender Identity" is defined in the ordinance as a person's individual attributes that may not be in accord with one's physical anatomy, chromosomal sex, genitalia or sex assigned at birth. "Transgendered" is another term for people whose gender identity doesn't conform to their physical sex.

In February 2000, Boulder became the first Colorado city to offer legal protection to transgendered people [R2.1].

State

In 2005, hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity became considered aggravating circumstances [R1.2].

In April 2002, the Senate gave initial approval to Senate Bill 9, which would expand the crime of ethnic intimidation to include crimes motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity [R1.1].

State

Consensual sex between same sex couples is lawful [R1.1].

State

Constitution of the State of Colorado. Article II Bill of Rights [L1.2]

Section 31. Marriages – valid or recognised

Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.

Source: Initiated 2006: Entire section added, effective upon proclamation of the Governor, L. 2007, p. 2962, December 31, 2006.

Colorado Revised Statutes. Title 14 Domestic Matters, 14–2–104. Formalities [L1.1].

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, a marriage is valid in this state if:

(a) […]

(b) It is only between one man and one woman.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-2-112, any marriage contracted within or outside this state that does not satisfy paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section shall not be recognized as valid in this state.

(3) […]

On 26 May 2000, Colorado's Governor Bill Owens signed into law HB1249, a bill that recognizes marriage only as a union between one man and one woman [R1.2].

Previously:

On 09 March 1999, the House Judiciary Committee put an end to SB159, a bill proposing to prevent the state of Colorado from recognizing the union of gay couples who might marry in other states [R1.1].

Church

In March 1999, the First Plymouth Congregational Church reportedly agreed to sanction same-sex marriages and to form a support group for homosexuals [R2.1].

State

State law allows single parent [L1.4], [R1.4] and second-parent adoptions child [L1.3], [R1.3].

Colorado Revised Statutes. Title 19 Children's Code, Article 5 Reliquishment and Adoption, Part 2 Adoption [L1.4].

19–5–202. Who may adopt

(1) Any person twenty-one years of age or older, including a foster parent, may petition the court to decree an adoption.

(2) A minor, upon approval of the court, may petition the court to decree an adoption.

(3) A person having a living spouse from whom he is not legally separated shall petition jointly with such spouse, unless such spouse is the natural parent of the child to be adopted or has previously adopted the child.

[…]

19–5–203. Availability for adoption [L1.3]

(d.5) (II) In a petition for a second-parent adoption, the court shall require a written home study report prepared by a county department of social services, designated qualified individual, or child placement agency and approved by the department pursuant to section 19-5-207.5

(2). If the child of a sole legal parent was adopted by that parent less than six months prior to the filing of an adoption petition by a second prospective parent and if the second prospective parent was included in the home study report that was prepared pursuant to section 19-5-207 for the adoption of the child by the first parent, then that home study report shall be a valid home study report for the purpose of the second parent's adoption. If the filing of a petition for adoption by the second prospective parent occurs six months or more after the adoption by the first parent, a separate home study report shall be required pursuant to section 19-5-207.

On 14 May 2007, Governor Bill Ritter Jr. signed HB 07–1330 Second Parent Adoption Bill into law, allowing the unmarried partner of a prospective adoptive parent to co-adopt, effective 03 August 2007 [R1.3].

The Bill added a new paragraph 19–5–203 (above) to the Colorado Revised Statutes [L1.3].

Previously:

On 18 February 2003, House Bill HB 1235 to extend parental rights to both people in gay and lesbian relationships was killed by Republicans in a House committee [R1.4].

The Bill would have authorized adoptions for same-sex couples, giving their children health insurance, inheritance and other legal rights from both partners [R1.4].

In late 2002, a bill that would have banned same-sex couples from being listed on the same birth certificate passed the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. It later died in the Senate Judiciary Committee [R1.4].

On 10 April 2002, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4–3 to "postpone indefinitely" House Bill 1356 that would have prohibited listing two women or two men as parents on birth certificates in reaction to two Boulder judges' approval of 45 such same-sex petitions and bar "maternity suits" petitioning for same-sex maternity or paternity if the birth mother or birth father is known [R1.2].

On 27 March 2002, the Colorado House voted 36–28 in favour of House Bill 1356 [R1.1].

Courts & Tribunals

In September 2009, Boulder District Court Judge Roxanne Bailin ruled that Colorado law allowed a lesbian couple identified in court documents only as Jane K. and Anne G., to have their names appear on the birth certificate of the unborn child that Anne G. is carrying [R2.1].

The ruling means the child's non-biological mother can assume parental rights of the child, from signing consent forms for school to retaining custody if the biological mother were to die.

On 28 March 2002, it was reported that judges in Boulder County had allowed the names of both same-sex parents to appear on birth certificates [R1.1].

State

Title 18. Criminal Code. Article 6. Offenses Involving The Family Relations. Part 8. Domestic Violence [L1.2].

§ 18-6-800.3. Definitions.

(1) "Domestic violence" means an act or threatened act of violence upon a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship. "Domestic violence" also includes any other crime against a person, or against property, including an animal, or any municipal ordinance violation against a person, or against property, including an animal, when used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge directed against a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship.

(2) "Intimate relationship" means a relationship between spouses, former spouses, past or present unmarried couples, or persons who are both the parents of the same child regardless of whether the persons have been married or have lived together at any time.

On 13 May 2011, Governor John Hickenlooper signed into law a measure requiring school districts to adopt anti-bullying policies and programs and providing some grant money to assist local school districts in that effort [R1.1].