For Immediate Release:
February 24, 2025
For More Information:
Laura K Chapin
Media Communications Director, Cobalt
(303) 954-8416, Laura@cobaltadvocates.org
Denver – Today, the United States Supreme Court declined to take up two cases challenging Colorado’s ‘buffer zone’ law protecting clinics, health care providers, and patients from harassment, threats, and intimidation.
Colorado’s law prohibits protesters from approaching patients within a ‘bubble’ of eight feet of a 100 foot perimeter around the health care facility. Colorado’s law was originally passed in 1993 by then State Representative Diana DeGette and has withstood two Supreme Court challenges, including a 2000 ruling known as Hill v Colorado.
“This is good news and further testament that access to reproductive health care is a longstanding, fundamental Colorado value,” said Cobalt President Karen Middleton. “Patients deserve dignity and medical providers deserve safety when it comes to getting the health care they need, in Colorado or anywhere else. But this is tempered by concern that the Trump Administration saying it will limit enforcement of federal law protecting reproductive health care clinics.
We’re glad Colorado’s buffer zone law still stands. Colorado remains a beacon of hope to the rest of the country on abortion rights and we intend to keep it that way. But with chaos at the federal level, we need to further reinforce the will of the voters by implementing Amendment 79, which puts abortion rights in the Colorado Constitution, strengthen our state’s shield law, and guarantee patients access to abortion care in Colorado’s emergency rooms.”
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Cobalt is a grassroots, statewide Colorado organization that advances abortion access and reproductive rights. Our organization began in 1967 when Colorado became the first state to allow safe, legal abortion. Cobalt believes nothing should stand between you and your health decisions, which is why we are dedicated to fighting for systems, structures and policies that protect reproductive rights and guarantee comprehensive, universal access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion.