Senate Approves Bill to Protect the Dignity of Minors

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senators Katie Wallace, D-Longmont, and Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, to protect the dignity of minors by suppressing court records of petitioned name changes for petitioners under 18. 

"Minors change their names for many reasons including religious or cultural naming ceremonies, family changes like adoption, and gender transition. Because these court records are currently public, minors who have legal name changes can be easily identified, putting them at risk,” Wallace said. “This bill is about protecting these young people, and ensuring their privacy and dignity. Sen. Kolker and I thank the diligent and thoughtful advocates who mended fragments in the LGBTQ coalition to shed light on an issue impacting children from a wide variety of marginalized identities."

“Many of the parents in my district have expressed how much it matters to support, protect, and celebrate their child’s identities during their most formative years,” Kolker said. “I’m proud to sponsor this legislation to give kids and their families the power to protect their privacy.”

SB26-018 would require a court to automatically suppress records associated with name change petitions for petitioners under 18, unless the petitioner was previously convicted of a felony. These suppressed records can be accessed without a court order if they receive verbal consent from the petitioner to unseal those records. 

A 2024 study showed that 47 percent of trans and nonbinary young people in Colorado considered suicide in the past year. The use of a chosen name for transgender youth can improve mental health outcomes, and acceptance of trans and nonbinary youth’s gender identity has been shown to decrease suicide attempts. 

SB26-018 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.