For Immediate Release:
April 6, 2025
For More Information:
Laura K Chapin
Media Communications Director, Cobalt
(303) 954-8416
Laura@cobaltadvocates.org
Bills Implementing Constitutional Right To Abortion, Strengthening Colorado’s Reproductive Health Care Shield Law Pass on Third Reading
Denver – SB 25-183 and SB 25-129, two bills that are part of the Reproductive Care Without Barriers bill package, passed third reading and final votes in the Colorado House of Representatives on Sunday. Both bills have already passed the State Senate.
“Today represents a huge win for Coloradans and their right to access the reproductive health care they need and deserve,” said Cobalt President Karen Middleton. “It puts an exclamation point to the mandate voters gave us on November 5 with the passage of Amendment 79. And it’s a win for health care providers in Colorado who will be able to act in the best interest of their patients, without fear or threats from extremists in other states.”
SB 183, Coverage for Pregnancy Related Services, implements Colorado’s 2024 Right to Abortion ballot measure, Amendment 79, putting abortion rights in the state constitution. Amendment 79 won with 62% of the vote statewide, and won a majority in all eight of Colorado’s Congressional Districts.
As a practical matter, SB 183 will put into place the mechanisms necessary for public insurance plans to include abortion care as a covered service. State public employees already pay insurance premiums, so SB 183 ensures that abortion care, like other reproductive health care, is part of their overall plan.
SB 129, Legally Protected Health-Care Activity Protections , reinforces Colorado’s reproductive health care shield law, enacted in 2023, to further protect patients and providers of reproductive health care in our state. Specifically, SB 129 shields patients, providers, and helpers of legally-protected health care from out-of-state criminal and civil threats, including criminal prosecution and imprisonment; extradition; civil lawsuits; court summons, subpoenas, and arrests; interstate investigations, divulging information, or assistance with investigations; and professional de-licensing and other discrimination.
The provisions of SB 129 also specifically address enhanced data privacy. For example, if a provider mails medication abortion to a patient, the identity of the provider will remain confidential and list a practice name instead.
“Today’s final passage votes on SB 183 and SB 129 represent another milestone for Colorado as a national leader on abortion access, no matter what challenges we face,” said Cobalt President Karen Middleton. “We thank the bill sponsors for their work representing and reinforcing the will of Colorado voters. As Coloradans, our values mean abortion rights belong in the Colorado Constitution, people should be able to access that care with privacy and dignity, and abortion access should not depend on the source of someone’s insurance, whether it’s public or private.”
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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.