Organ Donation Change Appears Unlikely In Colorado

DENVER (AP) - An idea to boost organ donations in Colorado by classifying all applicants for driver's licenses as donors unless they opt out appears unlikely to become law this year.

Democratic Sen. Lucia Guzman said that she's dropping her suggestion that Colorado change to a "presumed consent" system in which applicants for driver's licenses and state ID cards would be automatically classified as organ and tissue donors unless they disagreed.

"Presumed consent" donations are used in several European countries but have raised ethical concerns here. The Colorado proposal, introduced last week, sparked fears and opposition from many. Supporters say they'll drop the proposal for now.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)