A proposed civil unions bill is making its way through the Colorado legislative process.
The bill, which would allow civil unions for same-sex couples, is in the hands of a committee that includes Republicans from some of Colorado’s most conservative counties. The committee will decide this week whether to send the proposal to the House floor.
While state Democrats say the proposal would easily pass the Democratically-controlled House, many concede that the current measure faces a difficult challenge in the current committee.
The proposed civil unions bill comes as a number of states, including Illinois and Hawaii, have passed similar laws. Seven states have passed civil union legislation or similar legal recognitions for gay couples.
Meanwhile, Colorado governor John Hickenlooper says he supports the measure.
“It’s pretty simple: What’s fair for one person should be fair for the next,” the governor said in a letter read to supporters Wednesday. “Everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the same legal rights.”
