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DENVER, CO - The House Education Committee today passed legislation to make reproductive health care, including abortion, more accessible to Colorado’s college students.
“From shield laws to protect patients and providers, to enshrining the right to an abortion in our constitution – Colorado is a blueprint for safeguarding reproductive health care in a post-Dobbs era,” said Rep. Lorena Garíca D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Abortion is legal, but it’s not always accessible, and this bill makes it easier for college students to access abortion medication on campus. In Colorado, we trust people to make their own medical decisions without government interference, and this bill champions reproductive freedom so students can make their own decisions about their future.”
“Colorado has taken bold steps to ensure abortion remains safe, legal and protected in our state,” said Rep. Kenny Nguyen, D-Broomfield. “Despite major pushback from the Trump Administration to dismantle all abortion health care, Colorado remains a beacon for reproductive freedom. Reproductive health care is health care, and this bill meets college students where they are to improve access to abortion medication. No one should have to jump through hoops to receive essential reproductive health care, and this bill streamlines access on college campuses.”
HB26-1335 passed committee by a vote of 8-5. This bill would expand college students’ access to reproductive health care by requiring public and private higher education institutions with student health centers to provide on-site abortion medication services. If the college has an on-campus pharmacy, abortion medication must be available to enrolled students. If the college does not have a pharmacy on campus, health care providers would be required to submit a prescription for abortion medication to a pharmacy located off campus. The bill exempts higher education institutions from the requirement to stock or dispense abortion medication if doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs or practices.
Colorado Democrats have championed multiple laws to expand and safeguard abortion access in Colorado. This includes legislation to strengthen Colorado's shield laws, protecting patients and providers from hostile out-of-state actions. Last year, Colorado Democrats implemented the will of the voters by enshrining abortion rights into the state constitution.