HB25-1312 – Legislative Alert – Oppose HB25-1312 Today

Truth is under attack in Colorado!

God gave children to parents. He entrusted parents with the responsibility to care, nurture, and educate them. He made children in His own image.

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Gen. 1:27 NKJV).”

The state of Colorado is denying the Biblical and biological truth of creation and they are using children to do it. Christian parents must speak out now, while we still have the opportunity to be heard.

Colorado Law on Parental Rights:

Colorado CRS 13-22-107(1)(a)(III) Parents have a fundamental right and responsibility to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their children. The law has long presumed that parents act in the best interest of their children.

SCOTUS on Parental Rights:

The child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations. - Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510 (1925)

It is cardinal with us that the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the state can neither supply nor hinder…It is in recognition of this that these decisions have respected the private realm of family life which the state cannot enter. - Prince v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158 (1944)

Our decisions establish that the Constitution protects the sanctity of the family precisely because the institution of the family is deeply rooted in this Nation's history and tradition. It is through the family that we inculcate and pass down many of our most cherished values, moral and cultural. - Moore v. East Cleveland, 431 U.S. 494 (1977)

The law's concept of the family rests on a presumption that parents possess what a child lacks in maturity, experience, and capacity for judgment required for making life's difficult decisions. More important, historically it has recognized that natural bonds of affection lead parents to act in the best interests of their children.

The statist notion that governmental power should supersede parental authority in all cases because some parents abuse and neglect children is repugnant to American tradition.

Simply because the decision of a parent is not agreeable to a child or because it involves risks does not automatically transfer the power to make that decision from the parents to some agency or officer of the state. - Parham v. J. R., 442 U.S. 584 (1979)

[But, in 2000, SCOTUS sent a mixed message in their Troxel v. Granville opinion. See this legal summary and this webpage.]

The bill has changed greatly because of the public outcry to the senators. HB25-1312 still pushes radical gender ideology, remaining a serious threat to parental rights, religious freedom, and free speech.

What the bill still does:

• Violates Free Speech. This bill defines “chosen name” and “gender expression” under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA). This sets a dangerous precedent by criminalizing speech and forcing individuals to use language that may conflict with their beliefs — exposing businesses, schools, and government offices to litigation over disagreements about language. Courts have already held in several recent cases on similar policies that states cannot compel speech.
• Mandates Schools Prioritize Indoctrination Over Education. This bill mandates schools change their dress codes and naming policies, requiring them to be inclusive of all names and gender expression — for any reason whatsoever, not just gender identity. It does not include parental notification or consent. These mandates impose additional burdens on educators and administrators, asking them to focus on promoting indoctrination over education.
• Puts Religious Liberty at Risk. Faith-based schools, organizations, and individuals could be targeted for lawsuits or government penalties for upholding biological truths and sincerely held religious beliefs on sex and gender, as we saw with Jack Phillips in 2012 (Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission).
• Allows Three Gender Changes on State Documents. New changes amend the existing limit to three “sex designation changes” on state documents (including birth certificates). Flippant disregard for record integrity would undermine the reliability of official records for law enforcement, employers, and public safety.
• Is Unnecessarily Complex. The bill covers a “chosen name” under CADA, but only if it is connected to a specific list of protected characteristics (i.e., disability, race, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, and more). It also does not include names with “offensive language” or requested for “frivolous purposes,” without providing a clear, objective standard. This opens the door to arbitrary enforcement and censorship, undermining personal responsibility and common sense. Instead of trusting individuals and businesses to use good judgment, the law inserts government oversight into basic personal choices.

• Please continue to pray and ask the Governor to veto this bill! Contact Governor Polis’ office – phone calls typically get noticed in the Capitol and are very powerful, but all messages help!

  1. Pray - Ask God to change the heart of the Governor.
  2. Call Governor Polis – Urge him to VETO HB25-1312! Phone: (303) 866-2471
  3. Email Governor Polis – Easy one-click action
  4. Post on social media – Copy and paste this sample post:
  • HB25-1312 pushes radical gender ideology on our children and poses a serious threat to parental rights, religious freedom, and free speech. @GovofCO should VETO this harmful bill.

  Colorado families’ rights and freedoms should be protected and not attacked. Share this information with your community and church family.

  Talking points and one-click link from Heritage Action for America.

  Contact Governor Polis and ask him to kill the bill and VETO HB25-1312!!