Colorado: Civil unions bill passes state Senate 21-14

The Colorado Senate voted 21-14 to approve SB-11, the Colorado Civil Union Act, in the second of three votes. The bill received bipartisan support from Republican Senator Ellen Roberts voting for the bill.

From Brad Clark, Executive Director of One Colorado:

"Committed gay and lesbian couples in the state have been waiting for years — 10, 20, even 40 years — to have their relationships protected. It's well past time that these families have equal protection under the law. We applaud the bipartisan passage of civil unions in the Senate and look forward to the debate in the House."

SB-11 provides committed LGBT couples with important legal protections such as property inheritance, family leave to care for and visit a partner in the hospital , and the right to make medical and end-of-life decisions.

After a third reading and vote on Monday, SB-11 will move to the Colorado House, where it is expected to pass.