The Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom coalition announced on Friday that they have successfully collected over 225,000 signatures, surpassing the required threshold of 124,238 signatures. These signatures are crucial for the coalition’s efforts to get a constitutional amendment on the state’s ballot, aimed at safeguarding abortion access.
The group is currently in the process of gathering enough signatures in all 35 state Senate districts, as mandated by Colorado’s secretary of state. They have successfully obtained signatures in all but three state Senate districts, and are actively working to meet the required threshold.
Just days after the Arizona Supreme Court upheld a law from 1864 that prohibits almost all abortions in the state, this announcement was made.
“The coalition released a statement, with campaign manager Jessica Grennan emphasizing that the near-total abortion ban in Arizona highlights the vulnerability of every state without legislation that protects the constitutional right to abortion.”
CBS News was the first to report on this significant milestone, which was later confirmed by the coalition to ABC News.
In Colorado, to appear on the ballot, ballot initiatives must gather 124,238 signatures. Additionally, proposed constitutional amendments require signatures from at least 2% of the total registered electors in each of the 35 Colorado state senate districts, as stated by the office of the Colorado Secretary of State.
The group intends to submit the petition before the April 26 deadline, giving the Colorado Secretary of State 30 days to verify the signatures.
The proposed amendment aims to safeguard the right to obtain an abortion by amending Colorado’s state constitution. It would effectively prevent the state from imposing any restrictions on access to abortion. Additionally, the amendment would prohibit Colorado from denying health insurance coverage for abortion.
In a recent interview with ABC News, Grennan expressed confidence in the campaign’s efforts. He emphasized that a significant number of voters from diverse backgrounds and age groups are actively supporting the cause.
According to Grennan, it is not uncommon to encounter teenagers who are accompanied by their busy parents but insist on getting their signatures. These young individuals understand the importance of the task and actively engage their parents in conversations about it. Additionally, older individuals, particularly older women, appear annoyed by the ongoing need for signatures but express gratitude for the efforts of those who are dedicated to the cause.
According to the speaker, signees come from both sides of the political spectrum. She mentioned that she received a text from a team member who informed her that a Republican mayor from a small rural town had signed their petition at an event. She expressed her belief that they will continue to garner support from Republicans and independent voters, considering the nature of Colorado’s political landscape.
Colorado may not have garnered as much attention as some other states due to its comparatively less restrictive laws, as acknowledged by Grennann. In the state of Colorado, abortion is legal and not limited by the gestational age of the pregnancy. However, it is worth noting that State Medicaid does not cover abortion, except in specific circumstances, as stated by the Guttmacher Institute.
“We want to ensure that individuals have access to the healthcare they require,” she stated. She also emphasized the importance of establishing it as a constitutional right and allowing it to be included in state insurance coverage.
Colorado might have conflicting ballot initiatives regarding abortion access in 2024. Another initiative currently being circulated, known as the Equal Protection of Every Living Child in Colorado initiative, aims to include language in state statutes that completely prohibits abortion in the state. This initiative is centered around safeguarding children from the moment of conception.
According to Grennan, the significance of the Colorado effort is underscored by the ruling of the Arizona Supreme Court.
In an emailed statement following the ruling, Grennan emphasized that this week has highlighted the vulnerability of abortion rights even in states like Colorado where it is legal. Grennan stated, “This week has made it clear that abortion rights aren’t safe anywhere in the United States, including in Colorado. Until we protect abortion by enshrining it in the state constitution, reproductive rights will continue to be at risk from lawmakers with harmful intentions.”
Abortion access and reproductive rights measures may appear on the 2024 ballot in several states. Already, New York, Maryland, and Florida have confirmed measures on their respective ballots.