2026 Legislative Impact Report

In 2026, Rocky Mountain Equality continued to work hard at the Colorado General Assembly to defend LGBTQ+ people and families across the state. We successfully advocated for legislation that will defend access to affirming healthcare, ensure safety and security for LGBTQ+ Coloradans, and protect all people in our state from a hostile federal government, while also fighting back against legislation that attacked our community. While the work to defend LGBTQ+ rights in Colorado remains urgent, we are encouraged by the work of our legislators and advocacy partners like One Colorado, Bread and Roses, the ACLU of Colorado, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, Cobalt, COLOR, and Planned Parenthood.

Pro-LGBTQ+ Bills Supported

HB26-1322: Civil Actions for Conversion Therapy Survivors passed and awaiting signature

Leading Organization: One Colorado

Preserves Colorado’s conversion therapy ban by allowing patients to sue therapists who have engaged in the harmful practice.

HB26-1335: Abortion Medication Access on College Campuses passed and awaiting signature

Leading Organizations: Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, New Era Colorado

Improves abortion medication access for college students and protects their personal information related to abortion and gender-affirming care from hostile out-of-state investigations.

SB26-018: Legal Protections for Dignity of Minors signed into law

Leading Organization: Bread and Roses Legal Center

Offers stronger protection and privacy for minors – particularly for transgender youth who are seeking to legally change their name without that change becoming public without their consent.

HB26-1141: Discriminatory Practices in Public Schools passed and awaiting signature

Leading Organizations: Colorado Children’s Campaign, Colorado PTA, One Colorado, Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region

Protects students from discrimination based on protected class status, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, through enhanced civil rights protections and compliance procedures.

Other Bills Supported

HB26-1123: Preventing Sexual Abuse in Jails passed and awaiting signature

Leading Organization: Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Protects inmates in county and municipal jails from sexual violence and discrimination while detained.

HB26-1274: State Agency Payments to Grant Recipients passed and awaiting signature

Leading Organization: Communities Lead, Communities Thrive

Financially protects nonprofits and the communities they serve by allowing advance grant payments, preventing overspending to cover the cost of grant obligations.

SB26-005: Rights Violation in Immigration Enforcement Remedy passed and awaiting signature

Leading Organizations: Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), ACLU of Colorado

Protects community members by creating an avenue for justice when agencies like ICE and the Border Patrol violate their Constitutional rights.

SB26-013: Exclude Cohabitation from Elements of Bigamy signed into law

Leading Organization: Bread and Roses Legal Center

Protects Coloradans from unfair persecution and loss of services based on their family structure or living arrangements.

SB26-135: State Public K-12 Education Funding passed and referred to ballot

Leading Organization: Colorado Education Association

Allows voters to override TABOR limitations and give Colorado’s public schools the resources and funding they need to succeed.

SB26-070: Ban Government Access Historical Location Information Database defeated

Leading Organizations: ACLU of Colorado, Together Colorado

Would have protected Coloradans’ privacy and prevented data sharing that compromised the safety of immigrant communities and people seeking legally protected healthcare.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills Opposed

HB26-1083: Protect Female Sports Act defeated

Would have singled out trans K-12 and college students, preventing them from participating in school sports in alignment with their gender identity.

HB26-1087: Safeguard Minors from Sex-Altering Interventions defeated

Would have banned best-practice surgical care and hormone blockers for trans youth.

HB26-1128: Limitation on Gender Transition Procedure Claims defeated

Would have threatened healthcare providers with arbitrary litigation and liability for

providing gender-affirming care.