The "Personhood" movement has made Colorado the "epicenter" of their efforts.Despite their failures here, they continue to introduce legislation across the country. The proponents also hope to "apply the initiative methodology utilized in the United States across Europe." We can't let the "Personhood" proponents gain ground in Colorado because we will become the blueprint for future attacks on a family's right to make personal decisions.

Coloradans Are Solidly Pro-Choice

Coloradans believe that personal decisions are best left to women, their families, and doctors—not politicians or government. In 1967, we were the first state in the country to liberalize our abortion laws.

Even when we personally disagree, Coloradans don't impose our own beliefs on a woman and her family when they are making personal family decisions. And, the "Personhood" Amendment goes beyond banning abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. It would allow the government to investigate miscarriages, dictate the kinds of birth control we use, and interfere in medical decisions about fertility treatments.

Colorado Ballot Measure History

Coloradans faced statewide anti-choice votes on abortion in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2008, and 2010. These measures have been consistently defeated, and an important factor in our success has been building broad-based coalitions. Doctors, nurses, lawyers, and unusual-suspect advocacy groups have opposed these measures because we've built long-term relationships and proved that these measures go far beyond abortion rights. "Personhood" has been the least popular ballot measure, and each year the proponents have collected fewer petition signatures to qualify.

1996 – 2000 Information collected from the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center

"Personhood" Signatures Submitted (Not Verified)

2008: 130,050

2010: 126,762 (They initially submitted 79,648 signatures. After the Secretary of State ruled they didn't have enough signatures, they gathered an additional 47,114 signatures.)

2012: 106,119