Colorado expands abortion shield law to protect doctors
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Colorado lawmakers are introducing legislation this week to add new protections for doctors who provide abortion care, harnessing momentum from the 2024 election.
Why it matters: The state is strengthening its status as a haven for women seeking abortions just as anti-abortion forces accelerate efforts to limit care by targeting doctors.
State of play: Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved a 2024 ballot measure to enshrine the right to an abortion in the state constitution, a response to the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
- Now state lawmakers want to expand safeguards for doctors who provide the care.
A measure to strengthen the state's "shield law" would:
- Allow providers to remove their name from prescription labels for medication abortion;
- Prohibit local governments and other entities from cooperating with out-of-state investigations and subpoenas related to reproductive health care;
- And allow the attorney general to block hostile actions and allow for retaliatory civil lawsuits against states.
A separate bill seeks to protect emergency care providers from the potential rollback of federal rules, allowing them to administer abortion services when necessary.
- The legislation would make clear that emergency reproductive health care is required, regardless of a patient's ability to pay, and give the attorney general the authority to pursue civil penalties for those who don't comply.
What they're saying: "Coloradans are demanding care without barriers, and so we … are here to answer that call," Sen. Julie Gonzalez (D-Denver) told reporters.
What we're watching: The Democratic lawmakers behind the legislation acknowledge their efforts won't be enough to thwart anti-abortion forces, and they will need to add more protections in the future.
- "That's just a reality that we live in now. We're seeing attacks on reproductive health care and increased barriers continue," said Vanessa Martinez at the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights.