Colorado Governor Issues Executive Order to Protect Those Seeking Abortions

In response to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the precedent of Roe v. Wade, Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed an executive order to make Colorado a safe haven for people seeking abortions. The order is designed to protect both abortion providers and recipients, including those who are coming out of state.

Colorado is anticipating an influx of people seeking abortions in response to the new abortion restrictions around the country. Colorado is the most recent state to issue mandates stating that they will not cooperate in investigations of abortions performed in state. North Carolina’s governor has also signed an executive order to protect individuals seeking abortions in that state.

Both governors have issued statements about the orders.

Polis says, “We are taking needed action to protect and defend individual freedom and protect the privacy of Coloradans. This important step will ensure that Colorado’s thriving economy and workforce are not impacted based on personal health decisions that are wrongly being criminalized in other states.”

Polis adds, “This impending loss of freedom for people around the country poses a threat to the people of Colorado to the extent that other states may seek to infringe on essential rights protected by Colorado law, and impose criminal penalties or civil liability for conduct that is now outlawed in other states but remains legal in Colorado.”

Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina states, “For now, it’s up to the states to determine whether women get reproductive health care, and in North Carolina, they still can, thanks to my veto and enough legislative votes to sustain it. I am determined to keep it that way and people need to know that their votes in state legislative races this November will determine the fate of women’s health and freedom in our state.”

Colorado’s democratic state representatives have praised the Governor’s actions.

Senator Julie Gonzales says, “I appreciate Governor Polis’ executive order to protect patients and providers because with abortion access now in jeopardy, or outright banned, in too many republican-controlled states across the country, this is a crucial time in which we all must do everything that we can to defend these fundamental rights.”