Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom is a left-of-center coalition of groups in Colorado that was formed to initiate and pass a state constitutional referendum that would establish a legal right to an abortion and lift a ban on taxpayer funds being used for abortions. The group spent more than 15 times what opponents of the measure spent on the election campaign and succeeded in passing the amendment. ^{1 2 3}

Founding and History

In the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson United States Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and the latter decision’s purported national right to abortion, a signature drive was launched in January 2024 to place a state constitutional amendment on the ballot that would enshrine the right to an abortion and allow state funding for abortions in the state constitution. The signature drive secured enough signatures by April 26. The ballot initiative, labeled Amendment 79, was voted on in November of that year and received enough support to become law. ²

Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom was a major force behind the campaign, having been organized in late 2023. The group collected signatures and then campaigned for the passage of the ballot measure. Notably, the group spent a very large amount of money on the campaign compared to its opposition. ^{1 3}

Finances

In 2024, Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom spent $7,244,974.81 on the campaign to pass Amendment 79. Additionally, it reported $1,502,089.47 in nonmonetary expenses. ³

In contrast, the three largest opposition groups to the amendment spent $349,369.56 (Pro-Life Colorado Fund), $70,587.75 (Coloradans for the Protection of Women and Children), and $51,118.53 (Vote No on 79). In total the opposition spent $471,075.84 compared to the pro-abortion side’s $7,244,974.81, meaning it was outspent over 15 to one. ^{4 5 6}

Organization Philosophy

Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom couched its support of the pro-abortion amendment on the grounds of protecting the rights of people in state insurance plans to have their abortions funded by the state, preventing what it characterizes as government overreach in restricting abortions, and protecting the freedom of Coloradans to exercise their right to an abortion, which it says is infringed upon if abortions are not government-funded. The amendment was passed as of 2024. ⁷

Partner and Supporting Organizations

Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom is comprised of six different organizations, The ACLU of Colorado, Cobalt: Advancing Abortion Access and Reproductive Rights, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, New Era Colorado, and PNC: Progress Now Colorado. ⁸

In addition to the coalition members, numerous left-of-center groups in Colorado endorsed the project. These groups ranged from various labor unions to left-of-center religious groups. ⁸

Leadership

Ashley Stevens is the registered agent of Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom, one of the numerous groups with which she is involved. A search on the Colorado Secretary of State Tracer database indicates that Stevens is the registered agent of 74 active or terminated registered political groups in the state. ⁹

1. “Home.” Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://coloradansforreproductivefreedom.com/.
2.  “Colorado Amendment 79, Right to Abortion and Health Insurance Coverage Initiative (2024).” Ballotpedia. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Amendment_79,_Right_to_Abortion_and_Health_Insurance_Coverage_Initiative_(2024).
3. “TRACER – Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom.” Colorado Secretary of State. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CommitteeDetail.aspx?OrgID=46664.
4. “TRACER – Pro-Life Colorado Fund.” Colorado Secretary of State. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CommitteeDetail.aspx?OrgID=47410.
5. “TRACER –  VOTE NO ON 79.” Colorado Secretary of State. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CommitteeDetail.aspx?OrgID=47456.
6. “TRACER – Coloradans for the Protection of Women and Children.” Colorado Secretary of State. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/CommitteeDetail.aspx?OrgID=46925.
7. “Coloradans Expanding Reproductive Freedom.” Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://coloradansforreproductivefreedom.com/.
8. “Our Coalition.” Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://coloradansforreproductivefreedom.com/our-coalition/.
9. “TRACER – Registered Agent Search.” Colorado Secretary of State. Accessed January 6, 2025. https://tracer.sos.colorado.gov/PublicSite/SearchPages/RegisteredAgentSearch.aspx.