March 07, 2011 03:47 PM UTC

Civil Union Bill to Face Committee Hearing

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• by: c rork

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

POLS UPDATE: Senate Bill 172 passes Senate Judiciary Committee on a 6-3 vote. Republican Sen. Ellen Roberts of Durango joins Democrats voting yes.

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SB-172, The Colorado Civil Union Act, will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee today. The bill, which would provide crucial protections to same-sex couples, will face stiff opposition as well as strong support from members of the committee.

Polling shows that a solid majority of Coloradans are supportive of civil unions. A PPP poll found that over 70% of the state supports granting civil unions to same sex couples. These findings are almost an exact match to a poll conducted by two national firms, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and American Viewpoint. When asked whether they supported giving legals rights to same-sex couples – marriage-related responsibilities, visiting a partner in the hospital and making end-of-life decisions- respondent’s approval percentages soared into the high 80s.  

Though Republican Sen. Shawn Mitchell has said that this bill is a social issue and that Democrats should be focusing on the economy, a recent study by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law predicts that the law would benefit Colorado with an additional $5 million in economic activity over 3 years.

My support for this law stems from an experience I had when a friend’s partner had to be rushed to the hospital with a serious injury. The anxiety, bearaucracy and uncertainty he encountered are things no one should have to put up with when a loved one is in harm’s way.

If you get a chance, stop by the Old Supreme Court Chambers in the capitol at 1:00pm or watch the hearing. OneColorado has encouraged supporters to come wearing red and  “pack the house”.