In the wake of Colorado’s primary elections last week and the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and return abortion laws to state authority, Republicans and conservatives continue to push anti-abortion policy via legislation, ballot initiatives, campaign rhetoric, and leadership elections. Despite recent failures in enacting their agenda and a demonstrated lack of support from the state’s voters, the Colorado GOP is undeterred.
In the wake of the leaked Supreme Court opinion that likely indicates Roe v. Wade’s imminent demise, Colorado Democrats’ passage of the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) appears especially timely. Enshrining abortion access in state law won’t just protect Coloradans but residents of red states where officials have been champing at the bit for decades to ban abortion but for the federal protections of Roe.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Lopez appeared on Leland Conway’s radio show yesterday to discuss his interview with Kyle Clark of 9News. Lopez reiterated his position against abortion and Colorado’s Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA), which enshrines access to abortion under Colorado law, saying that victims of rape who become pregnant should “think of the long-term situation” instead of opting for abortion.
With this week’s revelation of a U.S. Supreme Court poised to overturn nearly 50 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade, states are bracing for new legislative battles over reproductive rights. That includes House District 26 and the majority of Eagle County.
Abortion advocates, lawmakers and activists gathered at the Capitol today for a Pro-Abortion Rally following the leak of a draft opinion that showed the Supreme Court will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. The noon event was one of three events scheduled for the Capitol steps — Planned Parenthood will hold a rally at 5 p.m. and Denver’s Party for Socialism and Liberation will hold an event at 6:30 p.m.
During an appearance on The Steffan Tubbs Show on Wednesday, U.S. Senate candidate Joe O’Dea voiced opposition to overturning Roe v. Wade.
It is hard to overstate the significance of Colorado’s Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA), which enshrines the right to an abortion under Colorado law, especially as neighboring states like Oklahoma pass laws restricting access to abortion.
The religious non-profit Church Voter Guides, based in Colorado Springs, released a questionnaire it presented to statewide candidates in Colorado this week. As part of the questionnaire, which can be viewed here, U.S. Senate candidates were asked a question partly about their stances on abortion rights.
On March 3, Colorado House Majority Leader Rep. Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo), Rep. Meg Froelich (D-Greenwood Village), and Sen. Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) introduced the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA), which would enshrine abortion access in Colorado law.
The Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have protected abortion access and removed medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion, such as mandatory waiting periods, biased counseling, two-trip requirements, and mandatory ultrasounds, failed to pass the U.S. Senate after a 46-48 procedural vote on Feb. 28.
