These groups say the amendment would help Latino communities that are already marginalized when it comes to reproductive rights.
DENVER, Colo. — In November, voters will have a chance to voice their opinion on whether they want to further protect abortion rights in Colorado. Amendment 79, which will be on the statewide ballot, would codify abortion rights into the state constitution.
“By enshrining access to abortion care, Amendment 79 keeps the promise that Colorado will remain a safe haven for all people in our state,” said Aurea Bolaños Perea, strategic communications director for the Colorado Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights Coalition, also known as COLOR Latina.
The state legislature passed the Reproductive Health Equity Act in 2022, which says all Coloradans have the fundamental right to use or refuse birth control, and that everyone has the fundamental right to continue or terminate a pregnancy.
Abortion is currently protected by state law, but could be overturned by a more conservative legislature in the future. Enshrining abortion in the state constitution would mean that voters would have to decide whether to remove abortion from the state constitution, rather than leaving it to future lawmakers to decide.
On Tuesday, nine Latino and Hispanic organizations voiced their support for Amendment 79: Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, COLOR Latina, Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy, and Research Organization (CLLARO), Latina Initiative, Latino Coalition of Weld County, Servicios Sigue, Voces Unidas Action Fund, Voces Unidas de las Montañas and Promotores de Esperanza.
The 2024 Colorado Latino Policy Agenda found that 77% of Latinos surveyed support reproductive health care for all, regardless of immigration status. 61% support making abortion rights legal, and an additional 68% support covering abortion under insurance plans or government-based programs such as Medicaid.
“We are one of the most marginalized groups when it comes to reproductive freedom. When Roe was overturned two years ago, Latina women were the group most disproportionately affected across the nation,” Bolaños Perea said. “Millions of people lost access to health care and barriers were created to accessing abortion care.”
