Civil Union Bill Killed In House Committee
DENVER (CBS4/AP)- A bill to allow civil unions for same-sex couples was killed in a House committee after hours of testimony Thursday night.
The committee includes Republicans from some of Colorado's most conservative counties. Testimony on Senate Bill 172 was emotional on both sides. More than 100 people had signed up to testify either for or against the bill.
A GOP-led House committee voted Thursday to shelve the measure that would have made Colorado the eighth state in the country with civil union legislation or similar legal recognitions for gay couples. The bill died on a 6-5 party-line vote.
Supporters and opponents rallied at the state Capitol Thursday afternoon.
Gov. John Hickenlooper's chief of staff read a message from Hickenlooper supporting the measure at the rally.
"Everyone, regardless of their sex orientation, should have the same legal rights," said Hickenlooper's Chief of Staff Roxanne White in a statement.
Couples in civil unions would have rights similar to married couples, including the ability to be involved in their partner's medical decisions. The bill would also enhance inheritance rights and make it easier for couples to list each other as dependents on health insurance.
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Related Story: Supporters And Opponents Of Civil Union Bill Rally At State Capitol
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