Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed a bill into law that officially repeals a provision in the state’s constitution stating that marriage is only valid between a man and a woman. The bill, sponsored by several Democratic lawmakers, was passed in conjunction with Constitutional Amendment J, which was approved by voters in the 2024 election. The governor stated that it is not the government’s place to dictate who individuals can marry and that people should have the freedom to marry whoever they love.
Senator Jessie Danielson and Representatives Brianna Titone and Lorena Garcia emphasized the importance of love and freedom in the decision to repeal the discriminatory provision. Amendment J overturned a previous Colorado constitutional amendment from 2006, which was made obsolete by the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. The lawmakers celebrated the repeal as a step towards equality and liberation.
The 2015 Supreme Court decision affirmed that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples, ultimately leading to the repeal of discriminatory marriage laws at the state level. Governor Polis and the sponsoring lawmakers expressed their commitment to promoting equality and love in Colorado through the repeal of the outdated provision. The repeal of the provision is seen as a victory for LGBTQ rights and civil liberties in the state.
Source
Photo credit denvergazette.com
