Joint Colo. tax-filing for gays headed to gov.

Gay couples in Colorado who are married in another state and in a civil union here could file joint state tax returns under a measure headed to the governor’s desk.

The Colorado House passed the measure Monday on a largely party-line vote with Democrats in favor. The bill already cleared the Senate so it’s now up to Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper to decide whether to sign it.

The measure requires gay couples in a civil union to file their Colorado taxes using the same filing status on their federal tax return if they are married in another state.

Republicans argued the state measure undermines Colorado’s constitutional ban on gay marriage. Democrats say the legislation is meant to align with updated federal tax law.