Civil Unions Bill Fails in Colorado

Yet another attempt to pass civil unions in Colorado has failed, and apparently not because the legislation lacked the requisite votes.

During a special legislative session called by Gov. John Hickenlooper, the GOP-controlled House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee voted 5-4 along party lines against the bill, which prevented a full House vote.

Just weeks ago the bill, already passed by the Senate, had cleared the House Judiciary Committee, gaining support from a key GOP member. Several Republicans had indicated that they would vote in favor of it, potentially reversing a failed attempt last year to pass civil unions.

But the committee vote killed that possibility. One GOP committee member who opposed the bill and has a gay son explained that a "yes" vote would have been at direct odds with a constitutional amendment against marriage equality passed by Colorado voters in 2006, The Denver Post reports. He also charged that political cynicism was at the root of the bill.

"What you're asking me to do here is invalidate the vote of six years ago," Rep. Don Coram said. "I'm concerned that the gay community is being used as a political pawn. For four years we had a Democrat governor, a Democrat House, and a Democrat Senate. The issue never came up. It only came up when we got a split House. I think that's wrong."