Voters to decide on Colorado’s 2006 ban on same-sex marriage

DENVER (KDVR) — Gov. Jared Polis made it official Wednesday before lawmakers gaveled out at the Capitol: Another question on the Colorado ballot this year looks to ensure everyone can marry who they want to.

Folks from across the state celebrated the signing of a resolution to ask voters whether to remove Colorado’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

It’s a question some lawmakers have wanted to bring to voters for years.

“This is what the people really want. They don’t want an unconstitutional amendment in the constitution anymore,” said state Rep. Brianna Titone, a prime House sponsor of the measure. “We just proved it by having two-thirds of the House and the Senate allow the voters to choose.”

Colorado voters banned gay marriage in 2006

Back in 2006, Colorado voters approved Amendment 43 . The amendment added language to the state’s constitution defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

After Polis’ signature on Wednesday, Colorado voters will now decide if that language should stay in the constitution.

“People have changed like night and day, but we still have to be careful,” said state Sen. Joann Ginal, a prime Senate sponsor of the resolution that marks one of her last pieces of legislation as a state senator. “There’s still some language in our constitution that needs to be taken out, and that is a marriage between a man and a woman. We just need the equality, because everybody deserves to be treated the same and to be able to love who you want to love.”

Supporters feel the state’s makeup has changed, along with some opinions on the topic.

Overwhelming support to remove Colorado’s same-sex marriage ban

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015. After Justice Clarence Thomas suggested the high court revisit that case , lawmakers in Colorado want to ensure the right to marry is protected no matter what.

“We had bipartisan support, which makes me realize people are accepting of this,” Ginal said. “Whatever your viewpoint is politically, I just think it is the right time. Let’s get it on the ballot now and have people vote on it. And I know we will see a very positive outcome.”

The resolution did get overwhelming support, with fewer than 20 lawmakers voting against it.

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