Colorado prepares for influx of abortion patients following Roe v. Wade overturn
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains and local pregnancy centers are preparing for an influx of those seeking abortions following the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The influx is due to Colorado's status as a Safe Haven state -- which was established on April 4, 2022, after Governor Jared Polis signed the Reproductive Health Equity Act into effect.
The act guarantees abortion access in Colorado for both Coloradans and those seeking abortion services from out of state.
Organizations are expecting the influx based on precedent.
Following the enactment of a Texas abortion bill in September 2021, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains reported seeing a 130% increase in patients seeking abortion care in the region.
Because of the Supreme Court ruling, PPRM and pregnancy resource centers are expecting to see an even greater number of people coming into the state.
After the ruling, PPRM took to Twitter telling patients not to cancel their appointments. Nationally, Planned Parenthood is sending out information for patients to see where the nearest abortion resources are to their current locations.
We believe you - and only you - should control your body, life, and future. Visit https://t.co/MuxI0Kuxca to locate your nearest health center and make an appointment. pic.twitter.com/nb4K83L7hh
— Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (@PPRockyMountain) June 24, 2022
The non-profit Save the Storks said they are celebrating the Court's ruling.
“We definitely are rejoicing with this," said Joseph Schmidt, Director of Church Programs and Partnerships for Save the Storks. "You know, we think this is a great thing. We believe that our laws in this country should be just and that they should take into account all persons, including the unborn.“
Though they are excited about the federal ruling, Schmidt says he acknowledges that Colorado has protected abortion rights.
“It's disappointing that we're a safe haven state," said Schmidt. "It's disappointing that you can literally get an abortion in Colorado up until birth.”
Now, their team is targeting safe haven states to deliver more resources for those experiencing unplanned pregnancies. Resources they hope will convince patients to choose an alternative to abortion.
“We're trying to just deploy as many resources as we can to states like Colorado, like California, like Florida that are going to be kind of these haven states, where states that are surrounding them are outlawing abortion,” said Schmidt.
