COLAGE is happy to announce that the bill to allow same-sex couples and unmarried partners to adopt kids sped through the Colorado House committee Thursday without a single witness testifying against it.

Republican legislatures in 2003 and 2004 killed similar bills, but with Democrats in charge, the bill appears speeding toward passage.

Colorado law allows married couples or single individuals to adopt a child.

The legislation by Madden, D-Boulder, would extend that right to a specified second adult parent that could include a same-sex partner, an unmarried opposite-sex partner or a relative seeking to help a single mother.

Judi von Gaia of COLAGE Denver explained that when she and her partner adopted a son 17 years ago, they had to move from Colorado to Washington for both to be considered legal parents. They moved back to Denver six months later because Colorado recognizes adoptions that occur elsewhere, but the time away from family and friends was hard on them, she said.

The bill moves now to the House floor.

If it passes and gets Gov. Bill Ritter’s signature, Colorado would become the 25th state to allow adoptions by same-sex couples. To be involved in helping this bill pass, get in touch with Equality Colorado and learn about their upcoming Lobby Day.