Gov. Polis signs executive order to protect reproductive health care in Colorado
DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- Governor Jared Polis signed an Executive Order Wednesday designed to protect the reproductive health care for Coloradans and people visiting the state.
According to the governor's office, this order is in response to the U.S Supreme Court overruling Roe V. Wade, a 1973 case that stated the U.S Constitution protected a pregnant person's right to choose to have an abortion. Since being overturned, many states have placed an abortion ban and have stated that they will prosecute people that cross state lines.
The order states that Colorado will not cooperate with other states’ investigations of people seeking reproductive health care in Colorado and will not extradite people to face such charges elsewhere.
Executive Order D-2022-032 states that Colorado will not comply with any state's prosecutions for conduct that is still legal in Colorado.
Governor Polis released the following statement after issuing the Executive Order:
We are taking needed action to protect individual freedom and 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.
Govenor Jared Polis
In response to the Executive Order, The President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM) said the following:
Today’s executive order makes two things very clear: If you are a patient seeking abortion care, you are safe and welcome in Colorado. If you are a health care provider serving local patients and those forced to travel here for access to this essential health care, you are safe and welcome in Colorado. We’ve long been known as a safe state for access to abortion care, and we’re grateful for this order which reinforces that important message.
Adrienne Mansanares
President and CEO of PPRM
According to 9News, at least a dozen other state Governors are signing similar orders. Read more about other states' executive orders here.
