Family Law Blog

Colorado Legislature Votes Down Same-Sex Civil Unions

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on May 4, 2011

The Colorado House Judiciary Committee recently voted to turn down a bill that would have allowed same-sex couples to enter into civil unions recognized by state law, according to Reuters. The committee consists of five Democratic representatives and six Republican representatives.

If it had passed, the bill would have allowed same-sex couples who enter civil unions to receive many of the same legal recognition and options that married couples in Colorado have. These include the rights to make medical decisions for one another should one spouse become incapacitated and the right to share in a spouse’s insurance or retirement benefits. Spouses would have also been able to receive maintenance payments, child support, and visitation rights should the couple later choose to divorce.

Supporters of the defeated bill are considering several alternative options, including introducing the bill in the next legislative session or putting the same-sex civil unions measure up for a popular vote. Colorado voters turned down a similar ballot measure in 2006.

When a married couple in Colorado considers divorce, each spouse also has to consider several related issues. These include which spouse, if either of them, will receive maintenance payments from the other spouse, who will have physical or legal custody of the children, and whether child support payments are necessary. If you are considering divorce in Colorado, an experienced Colorado family law attorney like those at Kaplan Law, LLC can help you understand your legal options and fight for the best arrangement for you and your children. Call Kaplan Law, LLC today at 1-877-527-5260 today for a confidential consultation.