Joint tax-filing for gays signed in Colorado

Colorado gay couples who are married in another state and in a civil union here can now file joint state tax returns.

Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill into law Thursday that requires gay couples in a civil union to file their Colorado taxes using the same filing status used on their federal tax return. Democrats say the legislation is meant to align with updated federal tax law that permits joint filing for married gay couples.

Republicans argued the state measure undermines Colorado’s constitutional ban on gay marriage.

The law will apply to tax years beginning on Jan. 1, 2013.