Vote yes on Amendment J and Amendment 79 to protect the freedom of Coloradans.
Today on National Voter Registration Day, Rocky Mountain Equality unveils its new voter education campaign, “Freedom is on the Ballot.” This initiative aims to educate Coloradans about the importance of voting and two specific initiatives on the ballot:
Voting yes on Amendment J to enshrine marriage equality in the state constitution.
Voting yes on Amendment 79 to put abortion rights into the state constitution.
Colorado currently allows same-sex marriages only because of the federal Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. As has happened with abortion and voting rights recently, that ruling could be overturned. In that case, each state would have control over who can and cannot get married there, and Colorado would not allow same-sex marriages because there is a ban in the state constitution. For abortion, the state constitution does not contain a prohibition, but there are no protections for the right to an abortion in state law.
State protections for marriage equality are essential with previous Supreme Court rulings being overturned, leaving citizens with no federal protections. Protecting the right to an abortion at the state level is critical since there are no longer any federal protections.
“Colorado state law should protect the freedom of all our citizens because we can’t continue to rely on a politicized Supreme Court to protect our rights," said Mardi Moore, executive director at Rocky Mountain Equality. “We can show our commitment to the freedom and equality for all when we cast our votes this year. I urge every eligible voter to make sure they are registered to vote and remember ‘yes on J’ and ‘yes on 79’ when you fill out your ballot."
Without removing the limiting definition of marriage in the state constitution, the freedom to marry in Colorado and all the benefits that come with marriage are at risk. Same-sex couples could be denied the right to visit a partner in the hospital, face legal challenges in the event of a partner’s death, or miss out on valuable tax savings because of your marriage status.
Why State Policy Matters:
While currently legal because of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, these rights would be in jeopardy for Coloradans if the Supreme Court were to overturn the ruling, as we have recently seen with the right to abortion and voting rights.
The organization says it's vital that we secure our rights at the state level to protect the freedom to marry and the right to abortion for all Coloradans for generations to come. Rocky Mountain Equality’s voter education campaign highlights this risk and the importance of voting YES on Amendment J to remove the outdated and discriminatory ban that restricts marriage to “a union of one man and one woman” from the state constitution.
What’s at Risk if Obergefell is Overturned:
Marriage confers 1,138 federal rights and protections, including:
Medical benefits: The right to visit your spouse in the hospital and make medical decisions on their behalf.
Family benefits: Legal recognition as next of kin, which impacts estate inheritance and adoption rights.
Economic benefits: Access to tax benefits through joint returns and significant savings on estate taxes.
Rocky Mountain Equality calls on all Coloradans to engage with their communities, discuss the importance of these amendments, and ensure their voices are heard at the polls.
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