DENVER—Today, Democrats on the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, killed, on a party-line vote, a Republican-led effort to protect Colorado citizens’ right to free exercise of religion. The bill, House Bill 1013, sponsored by Representatives Steve Humphrey (R-Eaton) and Dave Williams (R-Colorado Springs) is similar to the 21 other state laws that protect religious freedom.
“Religious freedom is the primary right of all Americans, and it is unfortunate that here in Colorado there is no protection for the free exercise of religion as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights,” said Humphrey. “Business will continue to thrive, as they do in Indiana and the majority of states that have strong legal protections against religious discrimination – we need to get the balance right for our citizen’s here in Colorado!”
Representative Williams added:
“It’s troubling that Democrats are willing to violate the sincerely held beliefs of an individual. Millions Coloradans agree that they should be free to practice their faith without the threat of reprisal from government or political extremists whose ideology denies our fundamental First Amendment rights.”
During the committee hearing, two Democrats, who were not members of the committee, were given unprecedented permission to question witnesses. Those additional members brought the total number of Democrats to eight, compared to only three Republicans on the committee for debate.
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