Civil Union Bill Approved in Colorado Senate

The Colorado state senate approved a civil unions bill on its second reading Wednesday. A third and final senate vote will take place before the legislation heads to the Republican-majority House.

Colorado voters approved a ballot measure to constitutionally ban marriage equality in 2006 but a poll from earlier this month shows that 62% of Coloradans--and 55% of Republicans--agree that same-sex couples should have civil unions or marriage rights. One Colorado represents 200 faith leaders and 140 organizations that are in favor of the civil unions bill. As the bill is expected to advance to the state house, Brad Clark, executive director of One Colorado, said they're hoping the house will give a simple up or down vote.

"Civil unions are about commitment," Clark said in a statement. "They're about responsibility. And they're about being able to take care of the one you love. Today's bipartisan vote in the Senate affirms the dignity of all loving families in the state. We look forward to a fair hearing in the House. Issues with overwhelming public support like civil unions deserve an up-or-down vote by all of our Representatives."