Abortion in Colorado

Abortion in Colorado is allowed at any time during a pregnancy. 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 published their model penal code for laws about abortions. Colorado became the first state to change its laws in 1967, allowing abortions in cases of rape, incest, or if the pregnancy would cause serious harm to the woman's health.

Colorado became a territory in 1861 and had laws banning abortions. The first known arrest for helping end a pregnancy happened in Denver in 1868. In 1967, Colorado changed its laws to allow certain abortions under specific conditions, but only up to 16 weeks of pregnancy and with many requirements.

In 1973, a big court decision called Roe v. Wade changed things, allowing people more choice about abortions. Colorado later passed laws to help make abortions more accessible, especially for those who could not afford them. In 2022, Colorado passed a law to protect the right to reproductive care, and in 2024, voters will decide on adding this right to the state's constitution.

Statistics

In 2014, a survey by the Pew Research Center found that 59% of adults in Colorado thought that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 36% thought it should be illegal. By 2023, another survey showed that 65% of people in Colorado felt the same way.

Since 2008, efforts to help families plan have led to fewer abortions, especially among younger women. For teens aged 15–19, the number of abortions dropped by nearly half. For women aged 20–24, the rate also went down. In 2010, there were no state-funded abortions.

Abortion rights views and activities

Politics

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

Protests

Women in Colorado joined marches to support the right to choose in May 2019 as part of a movement called #StoptheBans.

After news about a change to 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, another gathering happened 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, 11 people were killed at clinics across America. On November 29, 2015, a shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado left three people dead and several injured. The person responsible had acted against other clinics before and spoke about protecting unborn babies during a court hearing. Neighbors and former neighbors described the person as keeping to themselves, and police from several states reported past issues with the person dating back to at least 1997. On May 11, 2016, a court decided the person could not stand trial after a mental health evaluation.