Colorado Faces Critical Vote on Amendment 79: A Battle Over Abortion Rights

As the 2024 election approaches, a controversial proposal, Amendment 79, has taken center stage in Colorado, sparking passionate debates across the state. The measure, known as the “Constitutional Right to Abortion,” seeks to enshrine the right to unrestricted abortion in the Colorado Constitution, sparking fierce opposition from pro-life advocates, medical professionals, and religious groups.

What Does Amendment 79 Propose?



Amendment 79 aims to solidify the right to abortion access without limitations. If passed, it would prohibit any laws that attempt to “impede” or “discriminate” against access to abortion at any stage of pregnancy. Opponents argue this would dismantle the state's already limited restrictions, including parental notification laws and regulations on taxpayer-funded abortions.

Key Provisions of the Amendment Include:

1. Abortion Without Limits: The amendment would allow abortions at any point during pregnancy, including the third trimester, Abortion access is already protected in Colorado making this amendment unnecessary to begin with but adding this to the constitution takes Colorado’s already extreme stance even further. Critics argue this would make Colorado a hub for later-term abortions, even when the mother and baby are both healthy. Passing this constitutional amendment will restrict any reasonable limit from ever being introduced in the future.
2. Parental Notification Eliminated: Parental rights groups are particularly concerned that the amendment would remove the requirement for parental notification when minors seek an abortion. This has been rejected by voters twice before but would be overridden if the measure passes. By using the “impede” language in the bill, and knowing that ACOG, Guttmacher, and other abortion lobbies describe parental notification as an impediment to abortion access, they are opening the door for a quick reversal of that law and will eliminate parental participation in their children’s lives. 
3. Taxpayer Funding for Abortion: Opponents warn that taxpayer dollars would be used to fund elective abortions, even for non-residents. By eliminating the ban prohibiting taxpayer funding for abortion, we know the very next step will be to allocate direct subsidies in Colorado. It’s already covered with zero co-pay or deductible on private insurance and is already covered by taxpayer funding for exceptions like rape, incest, and the mother's health. Projections suggest that passing Amendment 79 could cost Colorado taxpayers up to $15 million annually for these procedures.

Misconceptions and Misnomers

As we engage in this dialog, its important to understand what we are specifically fighting against. The first step in that is to understand the difference between necessary abortions and elective abortions.  

"Medically indicated abortion" and "elective-induced abortion" are two distinct categories. A medically-indicated abortion occurs when a pregnancy poses significant health risks to the mother or fetus, often due to conditions like ectopic pregnancy or severe fetal anomalies. In such cases, the procedure is deemed necessary for the health and well-being of the mother or the fetus. It is also used after a fetal demise such as during natural miscarriage. 

In contrast, elective-induced abortion is performed at the request of the individual for personal, social, or economic reasons, without any immediate health threats. These are the abortions we as followers of Christ are fighting against and the ones we are referencing when we say "abortion". While both types involve terminating a pregnancy, the motivations and circumstances surrounding each are fundamentally different and should be treated as such.

It's important to note that every state law with abortion restrictions has exemptions for the life of the mother. To indicate otherwise or to confuse the issue is nothing more than a hyperbolic scare tactic, and a red herring in the current state of Colorado law and politics. These laws typically specify that a physician may use his or her “reasonable medical judgment” to determine if intervention is necessary in a “medical emergency.” There is absolutely no reason why any woman in an emergency situation would or should be denied care here in Colorado or in any other state in the nation. Amendment 79 does not provide any additional protections for those women nor does voting no eliminate them.

The Opposition's Perspective

Religious and pro-life organizations, including the ACPC (A Caring Pregnancy Center), are calling on voters to reject Amendment 79 which will not only strip away existing safeguards but also undermine Colorado’s moral values. 

This reckless and extreme attempt to add language to our state Constitution is wrong. I want to emphasize that the measure would turn Colorado into “the most radical state in the nation” concerning abortion laws, removing all restrictions, including those that protect the health and safety of both women and unborn children.

Religious and Ethical Concerns

Many faith-based organizations are also rallying against the amendment, citing biblical principles that affirm the sanctity of life from conception. As evidenced in Scripture, life is sacred, we are made in the image of God and are all worthy of protection. God says, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” As believers, we much stand for those who cannot speak for themselves, the most vulnerable among us. Abortion is a matter of life and death for unborn children created in God's image. 

The Call to Action

With Election Day set for November 5, opponents of the amendment are encouraging Coloradans to educate themselves and others about the issue. We urge voters to visit Right to Know Colorado, a group actively campaigning against the measure, and to take action by voting “NO” on Amendment 79. The site righttoknowco.com has a grassroots tool kit which includes order forms for palm cards, yard signs, and downloads for flyers, and FAQ documents which will help you understand the amendment and its impact. This is a human rights matter, not a partisan issue, however, the pro-abortion lobby is well-funded. We have the truth on our side but need the financial support as well. With your help, we can stop this dangerous measure.

Looking Ahead

Polls show that 71% of voters are unaware of the extent of Colorado’s current abortion laws. However, as awareness grows about the impact of late-term abortions and the potential dismantling of parental rights, opposition to Amendment 79 is mounting.

As Colorado heads toward a critical vote, the outcome of Amendment 79 could set a precedent, not only for the state but for the national debate on abortion rights. Both sides agree on one thing—this is an issue that will shape Colorado’s future for years to come.