Senate Judiciary advances 'Kelly Loving Act' after hours of testimony; committee adopts amendments, sends bill to Committee of the Whole

Senate Judiciary Committee moved House Bill 25-13-12, the Kelly Loving Act, out of committee late May 1 after an eight‑hour public hearing and several sponsor amendments aimed at narrowing the measure.

The bill’s sponsors said the measure is intended to update Colorado law so transgender Coloradans, especially youth, can “live with dignity and access the legal protections” they need. “We are considering House Bill 25‑13‑12, the Kelly Loving Act, which aims to update Colorado law to ensure transgender individuals, especially youth, can live with dignity and access the legal protections that so many of us take for granted,” Senator Chris Kolker, a prime sponsor, told the committee at the bill’s opening.

Why it matters: supporters said the bill clarifies anti‑discrimination protections for gender identity and expression, gives trans Coloradans clearer remedies in public‑accommodation and employment settings and creates a “shield” to prevent other states’ orders from being enforced here when those orders would punish families for accessing care in Colorado. Opponents across dozens of hours of testimony said parts of the measure risked interfering with parental rights, raised First Amendment issues about compelled speech and…