Colorado’s civil unions bill that grants same-sex couples similar rights to that of married couples has passed through the Democrat-controlled state Senate. Senate Bill 11 now heads to the House, also controlled by Democrats, where it is expected to pass. Gov. John Hickenlooper has long been an outspoken supporter of civil unions. Earlier this month during his State of the State address, Hickenlooper voiced similar enthusiasm for the bill, saying “This year, let’s do it. Let’s pass civil unions!”
Introduced by openly gay Sens. Pat Steadman and Sen. Lucia Guzmán, Senate Bill 11 is a close copy of the legislation that was defeated last year, when former Speaker Frank McNulty shut down the chamber to prevent members from voting on the bill, even though it supposedly had enough support to pass the Republican-controlled chamber.
The Huffington Post reports that the bill’s sponsors, two openly gay Denver Democrats, sounded off on Twitter.
This morning, before the vote, Sen. Lucia Guzman tweeted:
“Senate passing #civilunions 2day! Can’t say exactly how long we’ve waited 4 this, but it feels like justice rolling down the mountain #coleg“
Sen. Pat Steadman tweeted upon the bill’s passing: “Sb11 passes without discussion #coleg #civilunions“
