On Tuesday, abortion-rights supporters across Colorado protested against the leaked Supreme Court opinion that suggests the justices will overturn Roe v. Wade, the legal precedent that has protected abortion access at the federal level for nearly half a century.
Demonstrators in Grand Junction, Colorado Springs and Denver pushed to uphold the 49-year-old ruling.
Last month, Gov. Jared Polis signed the Reproductive Health Equity Act, which codified the right to an abortion into state law. Democrats passed the bill in anticipation Roe's unraveling. That new law will keep abortion legal in Colorado, although future state legislature and governors could overturn the policy.
Here is what people from around Colorado had to say about this historic moment.
In Colorado Springs, a small but animated group met near the city hall.
Beth LemesanyI'm sick of this. I'm sick of the surprises. These are basic human rights that we have to fight for every single day. And nobody can keep it going. Why is it so hard to fight for this basic necessity of life?
Sienna JohnsonI am here, obviously, because 69 percent of Americans want abortion rights for all. Sixty-nine percent. That is the majority. That is what we are dealing with.
A group of more than a hundred people gathered outside the Mesa County Courthouse in Grand Junction.
Jennifer Hancock with the reproductive rights group Cobalt.When the Western Slope decides to organize and speak up and be heard, things can happen pretty quickly. We all know each other. The rally was put together in about 10 minutes.
Laura CarlsonI think in a community like this, I think maybe it's even more important to come out and say that not everyone feels that way. Not everyone agrees with what the Supreme Court is apparently going to do.
In Denver more than a thousand abortion-rights advocates gathered at the State Capitol and marched across the downtown.
Wendy ReochI've had an abortion. And I'm glad that I was able to exercise my liberties, my rights to have control of my body and my future.
Tezcatli DiazI understand why life is precious. I never can deny the complexities of choice because of it. These are our choices to be had. Our bodies. Our choices. Our survival.
Mango GraceWe need to acknowledge people who are in states less fortunate than us might seek refuge here. And that’s something that we need to prepare for.
Read more about what the potential loss of Roe v. Wade means for Colorado:
- If Roe v. Wade really is overturned, what happens to abortion in Colorado?
- Colorado leaders react to leaked Supreme Court’s opinion on abortion access, Roe v. Wade
- Colorado abortion rights activists mobilize in wake of leaked Supreme Court opinion on Roe v. Wade
- SCOTUS confirms authenticity of leaked abortion opinion
- Photos: Denver abortion rights supporters rally, outraged by a leaked Supreme Court draft ruling to overturn Roe vs. Wade
- Colorado abortion rights supporters take to the streets across the state in wake of Roe v. Wade opinion leak
Eli Imadali and Hart Van Denburg contributed to this story.
