JOINT RELEASE: Bill to Protect the Right to Reproductive Health Care Goes Into Effect
DENVER, CO – On January 1, a new law will go into effect to implement the will of the voters to protect the right to reproductive health care in Colorado.
SB25-183, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, and Senator Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Representative Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County, implements the will of Colorado voters by updating state statute to reflect changes necessitated by Amendment 79’s passage, including removing the prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care.
“Colorado voters have once again reaffirmed their support for freedom to make decisions about their bodies and their futures,” Rodriguez said. “Our state has a long history of standing up for reproductive health care freedoms, and this represents another chapter in that story. I am honored to sponsor this legislation that implements the will of the voters and ensures reproductive health care is protected in both our state law and our constitution.”
“Colorado voters made their voices loud and clear – abortion must remain legal, safe and protected in our state,” said McCluskie. “Given the uncertain future of abortion access in our nation, Colorado Democrats stepped up to protect reproductive health care in our state. This new law implements the will of the voters and reduces barriers so Coloradans can access the essential reproductive health care they need.”
“Coloradans deserve the freedom to make their own health care decisions and choices about when to start a family – full stop,” Daugherty said. “Amidst a dangerous national landscape, we have worked hard to ensure that Colorado is a beacon for access to safe and affordable reproductive health care. Last November, Coloradans resoundingly voted to build on that work and permanently protect the fundamental right to abortion care in our state’s constitution.”
“Despite the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle abortion access or restrict funding altogether, Coloradans believe it’s your constitutional right to access life-saving reproductive health care,” said Garcia. “This new law implements the will of the voters to ensure abortion care remains safe, legal, and protected. I’m proud to live in a state that has demonstrated time and time again that we overwhelmingly support protecting this freedom.”
In November 2024, Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 79 to enshrine the right to abortion in the Colorado Constitution and remove the state’s prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care. The amendment was supported by a majority of voters in each of the state’s eight congressional districts.
Beginning on January 1, 2026, the law will ensure that state employee health insurance plans cover abortion care and require the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to authorize reimbursements for abortion care under publicly funded insurance, including community members with coverage through Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), and the Reproductive Health Care Program.