Silent signature, rising resistance: HB1312 becomes law, but parents vow to fight on

By / / Top Stories, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice

Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 25-1312 into law on Friday, May 16, without a press conference, social media announcement or public ceremony.

While the bill, known as the “Kelly Loving Act,” was hailed by progressive lawmakers as a milestone for transgender rights, many Coloradans who opposed the bill say the governor’s quiet signature is a telling indication of just how controversial the legislation had become.

Parental rights groups and faith-based organizations who protested HB25-1312 throughout the session say the final version still undermines their fundamental freedoms. They argue the amendments stripped from the bill prove public pressure worked – but insist what remains is a direct threat to families, schools and the Constitution.

Erin Lee, one of Colorado’s most visible parental rights advocates, reacted immediately after the bill was signed.

“@GovofCO has just signed HB 1312. He did it at the end of the day on Friday, because he is a coward who knows this is the most controversial bill OF ALL TIME and the people are (at least) 90% against it,” Erin Lee posted on Twitter/X.

What Polis signed—and what it still does

Among the provisions now codified into law:

  • Section 6 requires that if a school or district chooses to adopt any name-use policy, that policy must be inclusive of all reasons a student might adopt a name different from their legal name. The law does not include any requirement to notify or consult parents. 
  • Section 8 updates the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) to include “chosen name” and “how the individual chooses to be addressed” as protected elements under the definition of “gender expression.” This applies to schools, employers, public accommodations, and housing. 

On the same day HB25-1312 was signed into law, Rep. Brandi Bradley posted a video breaking down what she called the bill’s most dangerous sections, urging voters not to be fooled by its amendments. She specifically warned that the new language around “chosen name” could expose businesses and individuals to uncertain legal liability.

“Don’t trust the bill summary– it never changes, even when the bill does… They’re lying to you when they say the bill is fixed. It came back from the Senate worse than before,” stated Rep. Brandi Bradley.

What was removed—and why critics still aren’t satisfied

Polis allies removed two of the most hotly contested provisions before final passage:

  • A proposed shield law to protect out-of-state transgender-identifying minors seeking treatment in Colorado was stripped and replaced with a non-binding legislative declaration.
  • Language directing family courts to consider a parent’s affirmation or rejection of a child’s gender identity was entirely cut.

While some lawmakers touted these removals as proof of compromise, Lee called the changes a “smokescreen.”

“The end result of 1312 is exactly the same… The amendments and changes were intended to be a smokescreen to confuse the voters and to gaslight our argument around parental rights,” said Lee.

What changes when: new timelines spelled out in law

Not all provisions of HB25-1312 take effect immediately. According to the signed bill:

  • Immediately in effect:
    • CADA expansion to include chosen names and preferred forms of address as protected characteristics (Section 8)
    • Name policy inclusivity in schools (Section 6)
    • School dress code flexibility: Students must be allowed to choose from any uniform options available (Section 7)
  • Effective October 1, 2026:
    • Expanded name and sex designation changes on driver’s licenses (Section 11), ID cards (Section 12), and documents for those not lawfully present (Section 13) to allow three changes without a court order
    • Repeal of one-time limit on amending gender designation on birth certificates (Section 10)

These timelines leave schools and employers scrambling to understand what compliance looks like now, and what legal exposure they may face in the future.

The quiet signature that sparked louder outrage

On Friday night, Lee highlighted how another Democrat governor had handled a similar bill very differently. “Even Gavin Newsom vetoed this bill’s equivalent in CA,” Lee posted. 

A few hours later, Sven Scharpen, an advocate for autistic youth and vocal opponent of HB25-1312, released a video urging immediate action from parents and faith leaders.

“Parents, get your kids out of school right now. Churches, you need to stand up and fight for truth,” Scharpen stated.

Gov. Polis signed HB25-1312 on Friday, May 16 at 11:12 a.m. – but made no mention of it publicly. A day later, he released a 22-second video celebrating nine signed bills. HB25-1312 wasn’t one of them.

The movement that won’t back down

Opponents of HB25-1312 see the governor’s silence as proof their resistance mattered – and as fuel to keep going. 

The Colorado Parent Advocacy Network posted Friday night: “We warned you… we will not back down.”

Less than an hour after Polis posted his recap video omitting HB25-1312, Lee made it clear the fight wasn’t over.

“This can go one of two ways… Colorado has driven over the edge of a cliff. But a bunch of us grassroots warriors grabbed the bumper and are holding on by a thread… We’re not going to fix it overnight, but we CAN bring it back from the brink. This is a tipping point. As goes Colorado, so goes the nation… What’s it going to be?” challenged Lee. 

Whether or not HB25-1312 is ultimately challenged in court, its passage appears to have galvanized a movement – one that insists the governor can sign bills quietly, but the public will respond loudly.