One Sunday, four laws and the collapse of middle ground in Colorado politics

By / / Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice

With the clock ticking on the legislative session, Colorado Democrats made their move—advancing four of the year’s most polarizing bills in a single day – Sunday. The marathon legislative blitz was notable not only for its controversial content, but for how it was executed: through rare weekend floor time, party-line votes and multiple Rule 16 motions that cut off debate and silenced opposing voices.

“Because of the actions today, I would request that this bill be read at length—and every other bill after this,” said Rep. Scott Weinberg, responding to the procedural move that ended discussion on one of the bills. 

House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese added, “Coloradans deserve better than rushed debate and silenced voices.”

Four bills, one agenda

To GOP lawmakers and critics, the session wasn’t just about policy differences—it was the culmination of a sweeping agenda enacted with brute political force.

“These bills represent a growing pattern of government overreach—into family life, into public safety and into Coloradans’ wallets,” said Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter.

Among the bills passed:

  • HB25-1309: Requires all Colorado-regulated insurance plans to cover gender-affirming care, including procedures like facial surgery and electrolysis.
  • HB25-1312: Expands legal definitions of discrimination to include “misgendering” and “deadnaming,” and allows courts to consider such acts in child custody decisions.
  • SB25-129: Blocks Colorado entities from cooperating with out-of-state investigations into gender-affirming or abortion-related health care.
  • SB25-183: Allows state taxpayer dollars to fund abortion via Medicaid and CHIP, a shift that follows the passage of Amendment 79 in 2024.

Caldwell summed up GOP alarm over the pace and content of the legislative package. “We are literally promoting abortion in this state instead of promoting life.”

Parental rights vs. State power

HB25-1309 and HB25-1312 ignited a clash over parental rights and medical authority. Republican lawmakers argued that the legislation removes parental rights and grants too much authority to medical providers and the state.

“What they want to do with this bill is say that if they confuse your children and you don’t affirm that confusion, they will take your child from you,” said Caldwell.

Rep. Brandi Bradley put it more bluntly. “Brains not developed, brains not developed, brains not developed – but if you want to cut off your healthy body parts, this bill is the one for you.”

Bradley continued, “Children cannot consent to reproductive and sexual harms. But medical doctors will vow to mutilate your children on the basis of no science.”

Democrats countered that the bills were necessary to ensure basic rights and protections. “[This bill] is about ensuring access to care and defending people’s rights in the face of national attacks,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia.

Abortion goes Public—With your wallet

SB25-183 sparked pointed debate over abortion access, public funding and voter intent. The bill enables taxpayer dollars to be used to fund elective abortions through public health programs.

Caldwell questioned the scope and justification behind the bill’s requirements. “Now you tell me the medical necessity for genital surgical procedures for children. If it’s not happening, why is it in the bill?”

Bradley raised concerns about the state’s fiscal health. “Our state budget is more than a billion dollars in the red. Medicaid is the biggest driver of this deficit.” She added, “This bill will ensure that we spend millions of precious Medicaid dollars on elective abortions instead of waivers for the [intellectual and developmentally disabled] community.”​

Rep. Stephanie Luck questioned the mandate’s public approval: “If Coloradans had known this bill would follow [Amendment 79], I don’t think the vote outcome would’ve been the same.”

Rep. Dusty Johnson expanded the objection, citing constituent opposition and religious liberty concerns. “I rise against this bill. I had a roundtable yesterday with my constituents from House District 63. All seven counties were against Amendment 79. When does one’s right get to impede on someone else’s right?”

Luck added, “There is always a cost to abortion. Always. And I’m not talking fiscal. That cost is a life.”

Rep. Max Brooks emphasized the bill’s moral implications. “Coloradans didn’t realize this policy diverts public funds into an area which many people would find highly, morally, religiously offensive.”

The double standard of women’s rights wasn’t lost on Johnson. “We want women’s choice until their choice goes against what the body is trying to do under this gold dome.”​

Rule 16: Silencing the minority

The four bills passed third reading after Democrats invoked Rule 16 — a motion to end debate and force an immediate vote. Republican lawmakers said the rule was used specifically to avoid amendments and suppress dissent.

“Even the opportunity to challenge or amend these policies on the House floor has been cut short,” said Winter.

Rep. Ryan Armagost echoed that sentiment. “We are calling on the Majority to respect debate, to respect Coloradans, and to stop ramming through divisive legislation.”

From compromise to collision

For many Republicans, the events of April 6 were not just legislative losses—they marked the end of a political era where common ground was still possible.

Rep. Ken DeGraaf offered a poetic warning, “Don’t ask for whom the bill tolls. It tolls for thee.”

“This is about our climate goals averting humans – the Social Security pyramid inverts, your time has come,” he added, criticizing the perceived ideological zeal driving policy.

Pugliese summed up the GOP frustration. “We were elected to represent our constituents, not rubber-stamp an agenda without serious debate.”

One lawmaker’s final word

Following the Sunday session, Caldwell posted a video message to constituents, voicing alarm over the direction of the legislation and issuing a call to action.

“That bill passed the House of Representatives on party lines today. It’s now going to the Senate,” Caldwell said, referring to HB1312. “So you need to reach out to your senators. You need to reach out to the governor of Colorado and let them know that you’re not okay with this.”