Gender & Sexuality Action Committee
Fact Sheet (PDF)

2024 Abortion State Ballot Measure

COLORADO

Abortion Limit Under Current Law:
No gestational Limit

Colorado Amendment 79:
Right to Abortion and Health Insurance
Coverage Initiative

Summary: 

• Citizen-initiated measure to amend the state constitution to:
  • Recognize the right to abortion 
  • Repeal constitutional amendment 3 from 1984 that prohibited the use of state funds to provide abortion coverage to provide the right to health insurance coverage

• The 1984 Amendment 3 
  • Denied health insurance coverage of state and local public employees for abortion services even in cases of rape, incest, pregnancy endangering the pregnant person’s health, or a fatal fetal condition
  • Denied health insurance coverage of those with medicaid for abortion services even if pregnancy endangering the pregnant person’s health, or a fatal fetal condition

Needs greater than 55% (supermajority)  of votes to pass

•  YES vote means:  Supporting the creation of a constitution right to abortion and using public funds under health insurance plans for abortion by removing amendment 3
•  NO vote means:  Opposing the implementation of a constitution right to abortion and keeping amendment 3 which bans the use of public funds for abortion
  

Complete Ballot Text: 

1. In the constitution of the state of Colorado, add section 32 to Article 2 as follows:
   1. Section 32. Abortion
      1. The right to abortion is hereby recognized. Government shall not deny, impede, or discriminate against the exercise of that right, including prohibiting health insurance coverage for abortion. 
2. In the constitution of the state of Colorado, repeal section 50 of Article 5

Resources: 

• Learn more about abortion policies in Colorado
• Learn more about the Colorado Ballot
• See KFF Ballot Tracker
• Get & Share the Facts on How Pregnancies Really Develop

Prepared by Sarah Osborn, AMSA Gender & Sexuality
Action Committee, Reproductive Justice Coordinator
9/22/24