ADL’s legislative efforts have achieved success in 2013!

ADL attended the signing ceremony when Governor John Hickenlooper signed Colorado’s civil unions bill into law on March 21.  ADL Mountain States Board Chair Andrea Shpall and ADL LGBT Task Force Chair Melinda Quiat each testified before committees in the Colorado General Assembly in support of the bill that would establish civil unions for same-sex couples in Colorado.  This is the third year in a row in which ADL has testified in support of civil unions.

ADL is also gratified that the Colorado General Assembly passed the ASSET bill, which will permit undocumented students who have graduated from Colorado high schools to access in-state tuition at public colleges in Colorado.  ADL worked with the Higher Education Access Alliance for more than seven years to open in-state tuition to all Colorado students who have graduated from Colorado high schools, regardless of their immigration status.  The bill is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

ADL also supports House Bill 1136, which would strengthen the remedies available to victims of employment discrimination in Colorado, and House Bill 1258, the Community and Law Enforcement Trust Act, which is intended to increase the trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement authorities in Colorado.  HB 1258 is also supported by the Colorado Sheriffs Association and Colorado Police Chiefs.

ADL Board Member Dan McKenzie testified in opposition to a bill that would have made it easier for people to use religion as an excuse to discriminate against others.  That bill died in committee.

In Wyoming, ADL successfully opposed a bill that would have encouraged public schools to offer elective classes teaching the Bible.

Please contact your Colorado Representative and Senator to urge them to HB 1136 and 1258!