In Colorado, marriage equality is now – officially – the law of the land in Colorado after Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed a law repealing a provision in the state constitution that banned marriage between same-sex couples.
As FYI: LGBTQIA marriage is legal in the US, thanks to a 5-4 decision of the Supreme Court of the US in Obergefell v. Hodges that found that state bans on same-sex marriage and the recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions are unconstitutional under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. But any SCOTUS decision can be overturned, depending on the political leanings of the justices appointed there; meaning, the SCOTUS can take back the rights it granted via Obergefell v. Hodges.
But Colorado’s SB25-014, a.k.a. “Protecting the Freedom to Marry” act, repeals a provision in Colorado statute that states that marriage is valid only if it is between a man and a woman. So even if the SCOTUS changes its tune, Colorado can no longer apply an old law that discriminates against LGBTQIA+ couples, thereby guaranteeing that they have the same rights as non-LGBTQIA+ people in relationships.
In a statement, Polos said that “Colorado is for everyone, no matter who you are or who you love. Last November, the voters got rid of outdated language in our constitution that banned same-sex marriage. This is a long overdue step in the right direction and today’s law I’m signing ensures that Coloradans can marry who they love in our Colorado for all.”
