On April 4 Democratic Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado signed House Bill 22-1279 (HB 22-1279) into law. The so-called Reproductive Health Equity Act states that individuals have a “fundamental right” to an abortion and that “a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws of [Colorado].” The bill prevents any public entities from denying, restricting, or discriminating against an individual’s “fundamental right” to have an abortion.
The legislation was introduced by democrats in response to the uncertain future of the 1973 Roe V. Wade decision. The passage of HB 22-1279 makes Colorado one of 15 other states codifying the so-called right to an abortion prior to fetal viability or throughout a pregnancy into state law. Colorado officials believe this new law will cause residents in nearby states to travel to Colorado to have an abortion.
Colorado was the first state to loosen its abortion laws in 1967, years before the Roe v. Wade ruling. Gov. Polis has stated that “Colorado has been, is, and will be a pro-choice state.” He calls abortion restrictions “enormous government overreach” and “government infringement” of individual rights. He has also said “No matter what the Supreme Court does in the future, people in Colorado will be able to choose when and if they have children.”
The extreme bill was naturally met with opposition from those who believe in the value of life within the womb. HB-22-1279 was debated in the House for 24 consecutive hours and went on to spark more than 14 hours of debate in the Senate. Chairwoman of Colorado’s Republican Party Kristi Burton Brown called the bill barbaric and that its passage is a “dark day” for those that respect the sanctity of life.
