DENVER — The Colorado state Senate of Tuesday gave initial approval to a bill that would allow same-sex couples married outside of Colorado to jointly file their state tax return.
The measure would modify existing state statutes to link a couple’s state tax filings status to that of their federal tax filing.
Senate Bill 19 was approved on an initial 18-16 vote that split lawmakers down party lines with Democrats, who maintain a one-seat majority in the senate, voting yes and Republicans, one of whom was absent, all voting no, reported KDVR-TV.
Sen. Pat Steadman (D-Denver), the bill’s sponsor, said the legal change would enable same-sex couples who are legally married in other states, or who move to Colorado, to filing jointly as they would on their federal returns.
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He says his bill would apply to legally married same-sex couples only, and not Colorado couples who enter into recently-legalized civil unions.
The bill needs a final vote in the Senate before moving on to the House.
