Colorado 2025 Regular Session

Colorado Senate Bill SB014 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
	1	+	First Regular Session
	2	+	Seventy-fifth General Assembly
	3	+	STATE OF COLORADO
	4	+	REREVISED
	5	+	This Version Includes All Amendments
	6	+	Adopted in the Second House
	7	+	LLS NO. 25-0004.01 Shelby Ross x4510
1	8		SENATE BILL 25-014
2		-	BY SENATOR(S) Danielson, Bridges, Cutter, Marchman, Michaelson Jenet,
3		-	Roberts, Amabile, Daugherty, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Kipp, Kolker, Mullica,
4		-	Rodriguez, Snyder, Sullivan, Weissman, Winter F., Coleman;
5		-	also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Garcia and Titone, Boesenecker, Brown, Camacho,
6		-	Clifford, Espenoza, Gilchrist, Mabrey, Phillips, Rutinel, Stewart R., Velasco,
7		-	Willford, Woodrow, Bacon, Bird, Duran, Feret, Froelich, Hamrick, Joseph,
8		-	Lieder, Lindstedt, Lukens, Marshall, Mauro, McCormick, Paschal, Rydin, Sirota,
9		-	Smith, Stewart K., Story, Zokaie, McCluskie
10		-	.
	9	+	Senate Committees House Committees
	10	+	State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Judiciary
	11	+	A BILL FOR AN ACT
11	12		C
12		-	ONCERNING REPEALING THE STATUTORY UNCONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON
13		-	SAME
14		-	-SEX MARRIAGE.
15		-
16		-	Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
17		-	SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 14-2-104 as
18		-	follows:
19		-	14-2-104. Formalities. (1) Except as otherwise provided in
20		-	subsection (3) of this section, A marriage is valid in this state if
21		-	(a) it is licensed, solemnized, and registered as provided in this part
22		-	1. and
23		-	NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signatures of the appropriate legislative
24		-	officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
25		-	or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
26		-	history, or the Session Laws.
27		-	________
28		-	Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material added to existing law; dashes
29		-	through words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law and such material is not part of
30		-	the act. (b) It is only between one man and one woman.
31		-	(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-2-112, any
32		-	marriage contracted within or outside this state that does not satisfy
33		-	paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section shall not be recognized as
34		-	valid in this state.
35		-	(3) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to repeal or render
36		-	invalid any otherwise valid common law marriage between one man and
37		-	one woman:
38		-	(a) Entered into prior to September 1, 2006; or
39		-	(b) Entered into on or after September 1, 2006, that complies with
40		-	section 14-2-109.5.
41		-	SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 14-15-102 as
42		-	follows:
43		-	14-15-102. Legislative declaration. The general assembly declares
44		-	that the public policy of this state, as set forth in section 31 of article II of
45		-	the state constitution, recognizes only the union of one man and one woman
46		-	as a marriage. The general assembly declares that the purpose of this article
47		-	ARTICLE 15 is to provide eligible couples the opportunity to obtain the
48		-	benefits, protections, and responsibilities afforded by Colorado law to
49		-	spouses consistent with the principles of equality under law and religious
50		-	freedom embodied in both the United States constitution and the
51		-	constitution of this state. The general assembly declares that a second
52		-	purpose of the act is to protect individuals who are or may become partners
53		-	in a civil union against discrimination in employment, housing, and in
54		-	places of public accommodation. The general assembly further finds that
55		-	the general assembly, in the exercise of its plenary power, has the authority
56		-	to define other arrangements, such as a civil union between two unmarried
57		-	persons regardless of their gender, and to set forth in statute any state-level
58		-	benefits, rights, and protections to which a couple is entitled by virtue of
59		-	entering into a civil union. The general assembly finds that the "Colorado
60		-	Civil Union Act" does not alter the public policy of this state. which
61		-	recognizes only the union of one man and one woman as a marriage. The
62		-	general assembly also declares that a third purpose in enacting the
63		-	PAGE 2-SENATE BILL 25-014 "Colorado Civil Union Act" is to state that Colorado courts may offer
64		-	same-sex couples the equal protection of the law and to give full faith and
65		-	credit to recognize relationships legally created in other jurisdictions that
66		-	are similar to civil unions created by this article and that are not otherwise
67		-	recognized pursuant to Colorado law ARTICLE 15.
68		-	SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 14-15-103, amend the
69		-	introductory portion and (4) as follows:
70		-	14-15-103. Definitions. As used in this article ARTICLE 15, unless
71		-	the context otherwise requires:
72		-	(4) "Marriage" means the legally recognized union of one man and
73		-	one woman TWO INDIVIDUALS AS PARTNERS IN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP .
74		-	SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 14-15-118 as
75		-	follows:
76		-	14-15-118. Construction. The provisions of this article shall THIS
77		-	ARTICLE
78		-	15 DOES not be construed to
79		-	create a marriage between the parties
80		-	to a civil union. or alter the public policy of this state, which recognizes
81		-	only the union of one man and one woman as a marriage.
82		-	SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,
83		-	determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
84		-	preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for
85		-	PAGE 3-SENATE BILL 25-014 the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state
86		-	institutions.
87		-	____________________________ ____________________________
88		-	James Rashad Coleman, Sr.
89		-	Julie McCluskie
90		-	PRESIDENT OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
91		-	THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES
92		-	____________________________ ____________________________
93		-	Esther van Mourik Vanessa Reilly
94		-	SECRETARY OF CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
95		-	THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES
96		-	APPROVED________________________________________
97		-	(Date and Time)
98		-	_________________________________________
99		-	Jared S. Polis
100		-	GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
101		-	PAGE 4-SENATE BILL 25-014
	13	+	ONCERNING REPEALING THE STAT UTORY UNCONSTITUTIONAL BAN ON101
	14	+	SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.102
	15	+	Bill Summary
	16	+	(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
	17	+	not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
	18	+	passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
	19	+	applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
	20	+	http://leg.colorado.gov
	21	+	.)
	22	+	Colorado statute states that a marriage is valid only if it is between
	23	+	one man and one woman. That provision has been unenforceable since
	24	+	the United States supreme court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, 576
	25	+	U.S. 644 (2015). The bill removes the provision.
	26	+	HOUSE
	27	+	3rd Reading Unamended
	28	+	March 25, 2025
	29	+	HOUSE
	30	+	2nd Reading Unamended
	31	+	March 20, 2025
	32	+	SENATE
	33	+	2nd Reading Unamended
	34	+	February 4, 2025
	35	+	SENATE
	36	+	3rd Reading Unamended
	37	+	February 5, 2025
	38	+	SENATE SPONSORSHIP
	39	+	Danielson, Bridges, Cutter, Marchman, Michaelson Jenet, Roberts, Amabile, Coleman,
	40	+	Daugherty, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Kipp, Kolker, Mullica, Rodriguez, Snyder, Sullivan,
	41	+	Weissman, Winter F.
	42	+	HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
	43	+	Garcia and Titone, Boesenecker, Brown, Camacho, Clifford, Espenoza, Gilchrist, Mabrey,
	44	+	Phillips, Rutinel, Stewart R., Velasco, Willford, Woodrow, Bacon, Bird, Duran, Feret,
	45	+	Froelich, Hamrick, Joseph, Lieder, Lindstedt, Lukens, Marshall, Mauro, McCluskie,
	46	+	McCormick, Paschal, Rydin, Sirota, Smith, Stewart K., Story, Zokaie
	47	+	Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
	48	+	Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
	49	+	Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
	50	+	SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 14-2-104 as2
	51	+	follows:3
	52	+	14-2-104. Formalities. (1) Except as otherwise provided in4
	53	+	subsection (3) of this section, A marriage is valid in this state if5
	54	+	(a) it is licensed, solemnized, and registered as provided in this6
	55	+	part 1. and7
	56	+	(b) It is only between one man and one woman.8
	57	+	(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-2-112, any9
	58	+	marriage contracted within or outside this state that does not satisfy10
	59	+	paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section shall not be recognized as11
	60	+	valid in this state.12
	61	+	(3) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to repeal or render13
	62	+	invalid any otherwise valid common law marriage between one man and14
	63	+	one woman:15
	64	+	(a) Entered into prior to September 1, 2006; or16
	65	+	(b) Entered into on or after September 1, 2006, that complies with17
	66	+	section 14-2-109.5.18
	67	+	SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 14-15-102 as19
	68	+	follows:20
	69	+	14-15-102. Legislative declaration. The general assembly21
	70	+	declares that the public policy of this state, as set forth in section 31 of22
	71	+	article II of the state constitution, recognizes only the union of one man23
	72	+	and one woman as a marriage. The general assembly declares that the24
	73	+	purpose of this article ARTICLE 15 is to provide eligible couples the25
	74	+	opportunity to obtain the benefits, protections, and responsibilities26
	75	+	afforded by Colorado law to spouses consistent with the principles of27
	76	+	014
	77	+	-2- equality under law and religious freedom embodied in both the United1
	78	+	States constitution and the constitution of this state. The general assembly2
	79	+	declares that a second purpose of the act is to protect individuals who are3
	80	+	or may become partners in a civil union against discrimination in4
	81	+	employment, housing, and in places of public accommodation. The5
	82	+	general assembly further finds that the general assembly, in the exercise6
	83	+	of its plenary power, has the authority to define other arrangements, such7
	84	+	as a civil union between two unmarried persons regardless of their8
	85	+	gender, and to set forth in statute any state-level benefits, rights, and9
	86	+	protections to which a couple is entitled by virtue of entering into a civil10
	87	+	union. The general assembly finds that the "Colorado Civil Union Act"11
	88	+	does not alter the public policy of this state. which recognizes only the12
	89	+	union of one man and one woman as a marriage. The general assembly13
	90	+	also declares that a third purpose in enacting the "Colorado Civil Union14
	91	+	Act" is to state that Colorado courts may offer same-sex couples the equal15
	92	+	protection of the law and to give full faith and credit to recognize16
	93	+	relationships legally created in other jurisdictions that are similar to civil17
	94	+	unions created by this article and that are not otherwise recognized18
	95	+	pursuant to Colorado law ARTICLE 15.19
	96	+	SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 14-15-103, amend20
	97	+	the introductory portion and (4) as follows:21
	98	+	14-15-103. Definitions. As used in this article ARTICLE 15, unless22
	99	+	the context otherwise requires:23
	100	+	(4) "Marriage" means the legally recognized union of one man24
	101	+	and one woman TWO INDIVIDUALS AS PARTNERS IN A PERSONAL25
	102	+	RELATIONSHIP.26
	103	+	SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 14-15-118 as27
	104	+	014
	105	+	-3- follows:1
	106	+	14-15-118. Construction. The provisions of this article shall THIS2
	107	+	ARTICLE 15 DOES not be construed to create a marriage between the3
	108	+	parties to a civil union. or alter the public policy of this state, which4
	109	+	recognizes only the union of one man and one woman as a marriage.5
	110	+	SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,6
	111	+	determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate7
	112	+	preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for8
	113	+	the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state9
	114	+	institutions.10
	115	+	014
	116	+	-4-