On Wednesday last week, Colorado House Bill 1013, a religious exemption bill, died in committee for the third year in a row. The bill, the Colorado Freedom of Conscience Protection Act, was essentially a state RFRA. However, the language of the bill would have established a more rigorous legal test for any law that might be considered a burden to someone’s religious beliefs. HB1013 was voted down by a margin of 6-3.

Before the vote, ONE Colorado gathered with small business and faith leaders at the state Capitol to speak out against HB1013. “Faith leaders have been really one of our strongest allies in this,” said Daniel Ramos, executive director of ONE Colorado. Ramos argued the bill would have allowed businesses to refuse service to members of the LGBT community. He said the measure would also have given people the green light to “pick and choose which laws to follow.”

Equality Federation applauds ONE Colorado’s victory. The coalition building demonstrated in this effort with faith leaders and community members was vital to this success. We hope this victory is one of many to come in Colorado!