Looking back over the past year since the Dobbs ruling was handed down by the Supreme Court, which overturned 50 years of a federal so-called “right to abortion” in Roe v. Wade, it’s safe to say that not much has changed in the pro-life movement — the good work of accompanying and empowering women to choose life carries on.
This is especially true in Colorado, where abortion remains legal and is becoming more and more enshrined into the state law, all despite the new precedent set by Dobbs. Just a couple of months ago, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed the “Reproductive Health Equity Act 2.0” into law, a package of pro-abortion bills which served to supplement last year’s original “Reproductive Health Equity Act,” passed by the Colorado State Legislature as a preemptive response to the impending Dobbs decision at the time.
The passage of both has effectively codified the so-called “right to abortion” for any reason, at any moment up to birth, in Colorado. It also banned the abortion pill reversal procedure in Colorado, which has proven safe and effective. The State of Colorado has sworn in court that it will not enforce this ban until the medical, nursing, and pharmacy boards establish proper rulemaking. Bella Health and Wellness, a Colorado-based Catholic healthcare clinic, filed a lawsuit against the State in April because this law violated the first amendment; the litigation of this lawsuit is pending.
Despite the many hurdles that still exist in Colorado to protect preborn children and their mothers, there remains much cause for hope. The pro-life community is as committed as ever to walking alongside women facing unexpected pregnancies and helping them see that they can have their children and still live beautiful, joyful, and successful life. As one young pro-life student told the Denver Catholic at a rally in April following the passage of RHEA 2.0, “Women deserve better. Girls my age should not have to be told they cannot finish their education; they cannot go on with their careers. I am so fed up of hearing that women can’t. Women can.”
As Colorado becomes an “abortion destination” for women around the country, the need to provide those who come seeking an abortion with alternative options to both empower them and respect the dignity of the woman and her unborn child is of the utmost importance. Last year, the Pro-Life Colorado coalition was formed to be a unified voice in the pro-life movement. Colorado is home to many pregnancy resource centers, which, first and foremost, offer compassion and care to anyone who walks through their doors. Earlier this year, the Colorado State Capitol held the very first Pregnancy Resource Center Day to recognize their vital work. Among these is Marisol Health, which has served women and families for many years and recently announced an exciting expansion up to the northern region of Colorado.
For those women who choose life and make the courageous decision to offer their child up for adoption, Colorado is also home to several adoption agencies that will ensure the child finds a loving family. Some pro-abortion advocates claim that there aren’t enough families to adopt, but as a local adoption agency told the Denver Catholic earlier this year, that is a myth, as are several other claims surrounding adoption.
The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a victory that should be celebrated. But the overturning of a law is not enough to change hearts. However, through the critical work of the Colorado pro-life community and noble efforts to accompany women through unexpected pregnancies into the birth of a new life, hearts will be changed — and this work will carry on for as long as it needs to until our culture can once again recognize the immutable dignity of a woman and her child.
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