By Sarah Holliday

In recent times, Coloradans appear to be facing the weight of policies that attack their First Amendment rights.

Earlier in April, state Democrats launched a full assault on free speech through HB25-1312 — legislation that seeks to classify “misgendering” and “deadnaming” as forms of abuse. But while Coloradans grapple with threats to their free speech, another policy shift undercuts their religious and moral convictions. Governor Jared Polis (D) officially signed SB25-183 into law, effectively forcing taxpayers to fund abortions.

With the stroke of a pen, Polis weaponized Amendment 79, transforming a political agenda into a crushing taxpayer burden. Mere weeks ago, thousands of Colorado pro-lifers encircled the state capitol, fiercely defending the sanctity of life. Yet, Polis — dismissing their convictions — claims this fulfills the “will of voters to strengthen access to reproductive care.” Now, pro-lifers’ own tax dollars are being funneled to fund abortions, the very procedure they passionately oppose.

The legislative vote was almost perfectly split among party lines. All Republicans opposed the legislation, while all but one Democrat was in favor. Before now, Section 50 of Article V of the Colorado Constitution had prohibited using public funds to fund abortions. But as The Christian Post reported, “Section 50 has now been repealed from the state constitution after 62% of voters approved Amendment 79 in the 2024 election.”

As such, the outlet added, “Amendment 79 established a right to abortion in the state constitution and allowed abortion to be covered in health insurance plans for state and local government employees as well as those enrolled in state and local government insurance programs.” The legislation “appropriates $1.5 million in state taxpayer funds to pay for abortion reimbursements.”

Furthermore, cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment were previously the only instances allowing reimbursement for “abortion care services,” as the fiscal note stated. But under the newly enshrined Senate Bill 25-183, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is required to use taxpayer dollars to cover abortions for anyone enrolled in Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus programs. This law also prevents Colorado from helping out-of-state or federal investigations that try to punish people or groups for providing abortions.

In response to the bill passing, before it was officially signed, a group of Colorado bishops sent an open letter, pleading for the governor to veto the bill. “Every human life, from conception to natural death, is a sacred gift from God. No act of law can change this truth, nor can it erase our moral obligation to defend the most vulnerable among us. The allocation of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds to subsidize the deliberate ending of innocent life is a tragedy for Colorado.”

The letter continued: “Rather than using state resources to support life-affirming alternatives … this bill instead prioritizes public funding of abortion at the expense of the lives of preborn children, the health of their mothers and the conscience rights of millions of Colorado taxpayers who morally object to abortion. We urge you, Governor Polis, to consider the millions of Coloradans who do not want their hard-earned tax dollars to be used in the destruction of human life. We call upon you to veto SB 183.”

Evidently, the governor did not heed their pleas and instead boasted about signing it. Following his signature, Polis lauded the new legislation. “In the Free State of Colorado,” he said, “we are protecting Coloradans’ healthcare freedoms, while leaders in DC and across the country are focused on bringing government between doctors and patients, overreaching into our families and lives. This past November, Coloradans from every walk of life overwhelmingly voted to enshrine reproductive freedom into our constitution.”

Additionally, Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie (D) claimed this bill cuts costs because “a birth is more expensive than an abortion.” However, as Family Research Council’s Director for the Center of Human Dignity Mary Szoch told The Washington Stand, “McCulskie’s comments are disgusting.”

She continued, “Taxpayers in Colorado will now be forced to pay for killing the most innocent among us.” As Szoch emphasized, “In the United States, most people stopped placing dollar amounts on persons lives after the Civil War — and that practice is acknowledged as one of the greatest sins of America.”

“Every person has value beyond measure,” she concluded, and “House Speaker McCluskie should be ashamed to be part of such an evil act.”

Sarah Holliday is a reporter at The Washington Stand.