Current legal protections and ongoing legislation for pregnant people and reproductive rights
Amendment 79
In the November 2024 Election, Colorado voters approved Amendment 79 by 62%, which added a constitutional right to abortion to the state constitution.
Amendment 79 enacted the following measures:
- Repealed previous state constitutional amendment that prohibited the use of public funds to pay for abortions
- Recognizes the right to an abortion across the state of Colorado
- Prohibits Colorado state and local governments from denying, impeding, or discriminating against the exercise of the right to abortion
- Prohibits health insurance companies from excluding coverage for abortion
2025 Legislation for Reproductive Rights
Several bills have been passed this year that expand or ensure protections for reproductive rights:
SB25-183 “Coverage for Pregnancy-Related Services”
Sponsored by Senators Robert Rodriguez & Lindsey Daugherty and Representatives Lorena García & Julie McCluskie
Would make necessary changes to state law to conform to Amendment 79 by:
- Requiring state authorization for Medicaid reimbursement for family-planning-related services
- Expanding the definition of “family-planning-related services” to include abortion care
- Requiring abortion care be added to the schedule of health-care services available for pregnant persons enrolled in the children’s basic health plan
STATUS: Signed into Law by Governor 4/24
SB25-129 “Legally Protected Health-Care Activity Protections”
Sponsored by Senators Faith Winter & Lisa Cutter and Representatives Junie Joseph and Karen McCormick
This bill would:
- Allow providers’ names to be excluded from medication abortion labels
- Prohibit compliance with out-of-state investigations that undermine legally protected health care in Colorado
- Expand protections for telehealth services
- Strengthen legal safeguards against abusive subpoenas
STATUS: Signed into Law by Governor 4/24
SB25-130 “Providing Emergency Medical Services”
Sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales & Mike Weissman and Representatives Meg Froelich and Yara Zokaie
This bill affirms that:
- Emergency medical providers must offer life-saving care, including abortion and miscarriage care, without delay or uncertainty.
- Patients have a right to receive necessary emergency treatment under clear state protections.
- Payment details must be handled after emergency care is rendered.
STATUS: Signed into Law by Governor 5/14
HB25-1259 “In Vitro Fertilization Protection & Gamete Donation Requirements”
Sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter & Lindsey Daugherty and Representatives Meg Froelich and Kyle Brown
This bill affirms that:
- Residents of Colorado have a right to fertility services and other assisted reproductive procedures
- A donor-conceived person has the right to contact the donor
- A donor has the right to engage or decline communication
This bill would also:
- Require donor banks to develop written informational materials for clients and customers
- Require donor banks to encourage donors to inform on significant medical history, and if provided, store this information and notify donation recipients in accordance with existing regulations
- Prohibit state and local governments from interfering or restricting a provider’s ability to provide IVF or other assisted reproductive procedures
STATUS: Signed into Law by Governor 5/30