Abortion in Colorado

Abortion in Colorado

Abortion is allowed at any time during a pregnancy in Colorado. Colorado is one of only seven states that does not place limits on when a pregnancy can be ended.

People can have an outpatient abortion up to 26 weeks into the pregnancy. For certain health reasons, like serious medical problems or when a baby has serious health issues, abortions can also be done later in pregnancy.

In November 2024, Colorado voters approved an amendment to the state constitution. This amendment clearly states that people have a right to choose to have an abortion. This change makes the right to abortion part of the state’s highest law.

History

In 1962, the American Law Institute created rules for laws about abortions. Colorado was the first state to change its laws in 1967. This allowed abortions in cases of rape, incest, or if the pregnancy could harm the woman's health.

Colorado had laws banning abortions when it became a territory in 1861. The first known arrest for helping end a pregnancy was in Denver in 1868. In 1967, Colorado changed its laws to allow certain abortions but only up to 16 weeks and with many rules.

In 1973, a court decision called Roe v. Wade allowed more choice about abortions. Colorado later made laws to help people get abortions, especially if they could not afford them. In 2022, Colorado passed a law to protect the right to reproductive care. In 2024, voters will decide on adding this right to the state's constitution.

Statistics

In 2014, a survey found that most adults in Colorado thought that abortion should be legal. By 2023, even more people felt the same way.

Since 2008, efforts to help families plan have led to fewer abortions. For teens and young women, the number of abortions went down. In 2010, no abortions were paid for by the state.

Abortion rights views and activities

Politics

In Colorado, the Colorado Democratic Party mostly supports the right to choose and has made laws to help people get this care.

Protests

Women in Colorado joined marches to support the right to choose in May 2019.

After news about a big court decision in May 2022, people gathered in Aspen, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, and Grand Junction to show their support.

On June 24, 2022, people gathered outside the Colorado State Capitol in Denver to stand up for the right to choose.

Anti-abortion views and activities

Politics

In state politics, the Colorado Republican Party has supported strong views against certain medical choices, proposing laws to limit or stop them in the state.

Protests

Each year, many people who oppose certain medical choices join the Rocky Mountain March for Life in Colorado to show their support for ending these choices.

Respect Life Denver also holds an annual rally and march in the state capitol to support laws against certain medical choices.

Since 2024, there have been more reports of people opposing these choices entering clinics without permission, making threats, and blocking access.

Anti-abortion city ordinances

In late 2022, four out of seven council members of the city of Pueblo voted to consider a measure that would stop certain medical choices within the city. The proposed measure was suggested by a Texas-based group and introduced by council member Regina Maestri. The measure would go against state laws protecting these choices, and some believed it might encourage other cities or towns in Colorado to try to stop or limit these choices. The measure was narrowly rejected by the council.

In October 2024, there was another attempt to stop certain medical choices in Pueblo by conservative council members. The measure was again narrowly defeated.

Violence

There was an incident at a clinic in Denver, Colorado on August 26, 2003.

Between 1993 and 2015, people were harmed at clinics across America. On November 29, 2015, a shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado left people dead and injured.