- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✔ Recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✔ Banned
- Age of Consent
- Unknown
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Public Opinion
Public opinion surveys in Colorado have pointed to a varied attitude towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
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Same-sex marriage in Colorado is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 26, 2015
Legal
The US Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide.
Civil unions (marriage rights)
The Colorado General Assembly passed SB-11, the Colorado Civil Union Act.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Colorado is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
There are no laws that censor the LGBTQ community in Colorado.
Colorado actually requires schools to teach students about the LGBTQ community.
Colorado actually requires schools to teach students about the LGBTQ community.
Right to change legal gender in Colorado is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2020
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
Rule 5 CCR 1006-1 states that Colorado citizens can update their birth certificate and driver’s license to include their correct gender information, removing the surgical requirement in 2020. However recognition on birth certificates does require “appropriate treatment”.
Gender-affirming care in Colorado is legal.
Current status
Legal
Colorado became the first state to offer gender affirming care coverage for employees. Colorado has also passed a bill making it legal to get gender affirming care and protecting those who come from states that have banned it.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Colorado is recognized.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2020
Recognized
Jude’s Law lets a person who does not identify as male or female to check an ‘X’ box on a Colorado issued driver’s license or identification. This law also allows for a new birth certificate with the correct information to be issued to the individual.
LGBT discrimination in Colorado is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
People are protected from discrimination based upon both sexual orientation and gender identification.
LGBT employment discrimination in Colorado is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since 2007
Sexual orientation and gender identity
State law provides for protections against employment discrimination in regards to both sexual orientation and gender identification.
LGBT housing discrimination in Colorado is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Sexual orientation and gender identity
This state explicitly bans housing discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identification.
Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
Same-sex adoption in Colorado is legal.
Current status
Since Aug 4, 2004
Legal
Any adults are permitted to petition jointly or individually before the court to request adoption, regardless of sexual orientation. §19-5-202.
Second-parent adoption by same-sex couples is permitted per Colo. Rev. §19-5-203 et seq.
Second-parent adoption by same-sex couples is permitted per Colo. Rev. §19-5-203 et seq.
Intersex infant surgery in Colorado is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Colorado has not enacted an specific bill for intersex infant surgery, however hospitals offer it. Hospitals categories these surgeries as DSDs (Disorders of Sex Development). Several credible studies have come out about DSDs.
Serving openly in military in Colorado is legal.
Current status
Since Mar 18, 2025
Legal under federal United States law
On the evening of March 18th, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked the implementation of Trump's executive order banning transgender people from the military. The judge said that not only was the order unconstitutional but “a solution in search of a problem.”.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth filed in court a memo on February 10th, 2025 relating to President Trump’s executive order from the previous month.
From now on, The U.S. military will prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting, and will cease providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.
From now on, The U.S. military will prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting, and will cease providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.
Legal under federal United States law
President Joe Biden removed former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, and transgender people are still allowed to serve as of 2025.
In January of 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military. However, before his executive order can take effect, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needs to submit a plan on how the military will implement the order.
In January of 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military. However, before his executive order can take effect, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needs to submit a plan on how the military will implement the order.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
The Trump administration enacted a new policy barring individuals with a "condition" known as "gender dysphoria." from serving in the military.
Legal under federal United States law
In 2011, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed by the Obama Administration. Former President Obama allowed members who were dishonorably discharged under DADT, to receive an honorable discharge.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell under federal United States law
Don't Ask, Don't Tell was the historic compromise signed by President Bill Clinton authorizing people who are LGBT to serve in the military provided they didn't disclose sexuality. The law also removed the ability for others in the military from asking for a service member's orientation.
Blood donations by MSMs in Colorado is legal.
Current status
Since May 11, 2023
Legal under federal United States law
The new FDA policy on blood donation eliminates deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM). Prospective donors will be asked the same set of questions regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.
Banned (less than 6-month deferral) under federal United States law
The FDA announced changes to the blood donor eligibility policy in April 2020, reducing the MSM deferral period from 12 months to 3 months. The change came amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where blood was needed urgently.
Banned (1-year deferral) under federal United States law
After a series of recommendations, the FDA has moved to a 12 months deferral.
Banned (indefinite deferral) under federal United States law
Starting in 1983, the United States implemented a full ban on blood donations from gay men. The primary justification for the ban was the perceived high risk of HIV transmission, with health regulators identifying men who have sex with men (MSM) as a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply.
Conversion therapy in Colorado is banned.
Current status
Since May 31, 2019
Banned
Conversion Therapy is banned for people under the age of 18. It is also considered a "deceptive trade practice" to advertise such services.
Until May 30, 2019
Not banned
Conversion Therapy is currently legal. No law currently bans it, despite organizations such as the American Psychological Association denouncing it.
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