Rocky Mountain Equality Statement on Passage of Anti-trans Policies

Colorado voters have rejected Amendment 81 but approved Propositions 134 and 135. All three measures were designed to hand decisions belonging to families, doctors, and local communities over to the government.

In response, Bruce Parker, executive director of Rocky Mountain Equality, said:

“Today is a bad day for Colorado. While we certainly have some good news from the results, including the rejection of Amendment 81, our fundamental commitment to privacy and freedom has been undermined by the passage Propositions 134 and 135, two misleading and discriminatory ballot measures. This is devastating for a lot of kids, families, and communities.

“The impact of these measures on Colorado families is real. Right now, parents are wondering what this means for their children's healthcare. Students are wondering if they’ll be allowed back on their teams or what they might have to do to be allowed to play. To those kids and families I want to say: you are not alone, and we are not going anywhere. 

“Props 134 and 135 were written broadly and vaguely on purpose. They leave basic questions unanswered about who enforces them, how decisions get made, and what safeguards exist. That ambiguity is what the proponents want. They want for there to be gray areas where the policies could potentially reach even farther into our private lives. 

“More than a million Coloradans voted against these harmful measures. The vote was close, and we are so grateful for every person who made calls, knocked doors, and voted. Now the newly elected Colorado legislators have an opportunity to negate the damage these policies will cause, and we expect them to step up. 

“To every transgender kid and family, we’ve got your back. This is your home too. This vote doesn’t change that."