Birth certificate gender change wins initial Colorado House approval

Having identification that’s in sync with a person’s name and appearance could reduce harassment in schools and the workplace, supporters said.

“Transgender Coloradans are faced with discriminatory action in nearly every aspect of their lives,” said Dave Montez of One Colorado, a gay-rights group.

Colorado state registrar of vital statistics, Ron Hyman, told lawmakers that he anticipated only a few dozen people would request the change each year and that officials wouldn’t need extra tax money to accommodate the possible change.

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Norton said that transgender people deserve respect but that government documents shouldn’t be altered. “It allows a person to change what is historical and biological fact,” Norton said.

The vote was party-line except for one Republican, Rep. Lois Landgraf of Fountain, who voted for the bill. “This is about individual freedom and rights. It’s even about limited government,” she said.

The measure now awaits a vote by the full House, which is controlled by Democrats. The bill faces long odds in the Senate, which is controlled by the GOP.