Colorado's
pro-gay initiative campaign way ahead of counterparts

A group that is backing a state ballot initiative to provide gay couples with marriage-like rights through domestic partnerships in Colorado got a big financial boost this week, putting its campaign way ahead in terms of funding compared to separate initiatives to ban domestic partnerships and same-sex marriage. Coloradans for Fairness and Equality received a $250,000 donation from the brother of Fort Collins heiress Pat Stryker.

The group now has nearly $500,000, according to the Associatted Press. It is pushing an initiative that would change state law to recognize domestic partnerships. It also supports a proposed state constitutional amendment that would ensure domestic partnerships would be recognized.

Meanwhile, Coloradans for Marriage, a coalition of antigay Christian groups supporting a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a heterosexual union, has raised $105,793. Protecting Colorado Children, which is pushing a ballot issue countering the domestic-partnership amendment, has raised $8,345. (The Advocate)